A Thousand Years of Elegance Discussed in Laughter (Complete) - 12

Volume Nineteen: The Terrifying Hunt - Chapter One: The Nine Dragon Jade Pendant.

Shocked, Jueyue and Shepo lost all will to fight. How could they withstand the combined attack of Xiong Xiaotian, Xiao Xingchen, and Ye Zhiqiu? In the blink of an eye, both fell to the ground, struck by their attacks. Seeing this, the eight hundred assassins surrendered without a fight.
Without firing a single sword or arrow, the four martial arts masters worked together to quell the disturbance without bloodshed. Ren Xiaoyao's exceptional wisdom and military leadership throughout the incident not only impressed the battle-hardened Long Yinxiao but also won the respect of the ten thousand members of the Tianji Sect.
Long Yinxiao ordered Jing Si to lead three thousand inner guards to escort the five assassins back to the city and imprison them in the death row. Sheng Hongyu, Liu Jun, Zhou Leting, and Liao Qinyang were stripped of all their positions within and outside the sect and reduced to commoners for their involvement in the rebellion. Wang Xin and Kang Le were punished severely for their lax discipline, but considering their loyalty to their master, they were temporarily demoted by half a rank and ordered to reorganize the Dingnan and Xiongwu armies to observe their future performance. Qin Xiang and Zhang Feng were promoted to commanders of the Longxiang and Huyi armies for their meritorious service in suppressing the rebellion. The eight hundred assassins were members of the Juesha traitorous faction and were to be interrogated overnight by Liu Ningtao, Zhu Shunwu, and Liu Qingping. The remaining rebels were all pardoned because they were misled by Juesha and were not determined to rebel.
The following day, Long Yinxiao hosted a banquet at Ganlu Pavilion with a hundred tables. All four heroes were invited. Ren Xiaoyao, whose contributions were paramount, was chosen by the crowd to sit at the head of the table, followed by Xiong Xiaotian, Xiao Xingchen, and Ye Zhiqi. Also seated at the table were Long Yinxiao, Qin Huaiyu, Zhang Jinghong, Liu Ningtao, and other leaders of the Tianji Sect. Qin Xiang, Zhang Feng, and Liu Qianyun were also present.
Words of gratitude were naturally abundant, and Ren Xiaoyao remained humble, maintaining his usual composure amidst the constant praise. Everyone in the Tianji Sect present admired him immensely, secretly marveling that if such a wise and brave, accomplished in both literature and martial arts, and humble yet humble, young hero were to join their sect, he would surely one day be ennobled and his name would be etched in history.
Long Feiyun patted Ren Xiaoyao on the shoulder and joked, "Young Master Ren, your second and third brothers already knew beforehand, but you kept it from me alone. That's really not very kind of you."
Ren Xiaoyao laughed and said, "Hentian is always meticulous in its actions. Since Hall Master Long is temporarily in charge of the sect's affairs, he will definitely send his men to monitor your every move. I was afraid of leaks, so I didn't tell you. I only told Brother Qin and Brother Zhang to pretend to be sick for the time being. It wasn't until I mobilized the garrison in your capacity that they found out the truth."
Qin Xiang and Zhang Feng both showed expressions of gratitude. They didn't need to participate in the suppression of the rebellion, but Ren Xiaoyao deliberately entrusted them with the command of two important cavalry units, enabling them to make great contributions and rise rapidly in rank.
Long Yinxiao raised his cup to toast Xiong Xiaotian and Ye Zhiqiu, expressing his gratitude for their generous assistance in leading the Beggars' Sect disciples and the heroes of the Green Forest. Xiong Xiaotian, somewhat embarrassed, humbly said, "The incident happened so suddenly that my third brother and I only managed to mobilize a few thousand men. It was thanks to my fourth brother's strategic planning, which allowed Elder Wang and Chief Chen to make a show of force, and in coordination with your sect's formidable reinforcements, that we were able to avert this disaster."
Ye Zhiqiu echoed, "Indeed, if it weren't for my fourth brother's foresight, my elder brother and I, with our large numbers of men, would have been futile."
Qin Huaiyu interjected, "Young Hero Xiao's use of the 'Sunset at the Western Hills' technique to defeat Fen Ri was also quite brilliant; it truly broadened my horizons." As a seasoned veteran, having praised Ren Xiaoyao, thanked Xiong Xiaotian and Ye Zhiqiu, he naturally had to praise Xiao Xingchen as well.
Xiao Xingchen smiled and said, "Vice Leader Qin is too kind. I am unworthy of such praise. In fact, given the situation at the time, anyone could have succeeded with a single blow. The most crucial thing was that Fourth Brother anticipated that the enemy would put up a stubborn resistance and made corresponding arrangements. Otherwise, how could he have crushed the five assassins so easily?"
Long Yinxiao was moved and said, "It is said in the martial arts world that the four heroes are as close as brothers. Seeing this today, it is indeed true." He then turned to Long Feiyun, Qin Xiang, and Zhang Feng and instructed them, "You three should learn from this and not let me down."
Qin Xiang and Zhang Feng said in unison, "Rest assured, Leader, we will do our best to assist our elder brother." The Longxiang and Huyi armies belonged to the Qilin Hall. The reason why Long Yinxiao promoted the two to be commanders was precisely because he was impressed by the seamless cooperation of the four heroes and was trying his best to cultivate them into Long Feiyun's right-hand men, and even the pillars supporting the Tianji Sect in the future.
After several rounds of drinks, Ren Xiaoyao solemnly asked, "May I ask, Master Long, how do you plan to deal with the five assassins?"
Long Yinxiao replied in a deep voice, "Naturally, we will try every means to obtain more information about the Absolute Kill from them, and then unite with various heroes to wipe them out in one fell swoop... Oh, the so-called withdrawal from the Central Plains Martial Arts Alliance was just a message I deliberately released to warn you all. Tomorrow I will announce the whole story to the world and declare that the Heavenly Extreme Sect has rejoined the Central Plains Martial Arts Alliance, ready to be at the command of Alliance Leader Liu at any time."
Ren Xiaoyao cupped his hands and said, "This junior has a favor to ask, and I hope Master Long will grant it."
Long Yinxiao resolutely said, "Young Hero Ren has given my Heavenly Extreme Sect a new lease on life. Please speak freely
, whatever it may be." Ren Xiaoyao's eyes flashed with intense killing intent, but his tone was very calm as he slowly said, "Jueyue once... " "He used despicable means to poison Fengyi. I hope your sect can hand him over to me for disposal."
Long Yinxiao looked at him and said loudly, "Good! A true man distinguishes between gratitude and resentment. Once Jueyue reveals the truth about the organization, you can decide whether to kill or punish him as you see fit."
Ren Xiaoyao nodded in gratitude and said solemnly, "Please forgive my impertinence, but the five assassins are of despicable character and cunning. We must be extra careful during the interrogation to prevent them from colluding with each other and harming the loyal and innocent."
Long Feiyun interjected, "What Young Hero Ren says is very true. However, my father has already instructed Uncle Jing to detain Fenri, Jueyue, Duohun, Zhuiming, and Shepo separately. We will verify their statements immediately to ensure that the results are foolproof."
Ren Xiaoyao felt ashamed inwardly, thinking: "Master Long has been a powerful figure in the martial world for decades. How could he not know such a basic principle? It seems I was overthinking it."
Long Yin Xiao's eyes gleamed, fixed intently on Ren Xiaoyao. He said solemnly, "Young Master Ren, yesterday your command of the army was exquisite, your formations masterful and effortless. Especially your flanking maneuvers and encirclements, though different from those described in ordinary military texts, were far more effective. I am truly amazed. May I ask who taught you?"
Ren Xiaoyao truthfully replied, "My master only taught me martial arts; he did not teach me the methods of military formations."
Long Yin Xiao exclaimed in astonishment, "If that's the case, how could Young Master Ren control such a vast army? " "How about mobilizing tens of thousands of troops?"
Qin Huaiyu said with a smile, "Young Master Ren, you must have read some unknown military treatises."
Ren Xiaoyao slowly shook his head and said solemnly, "Setting up formations according to military treatises is a rigid method, why bother to delve into it?"
Long Yinxiao said in a deep voice, "According to you, the military treatises and formations left by the ancients are no longer needed?"
Ren Xiaoyao revealed a confident smile and said leisurely, "Setting up formations first, and then engaging in battle, is the common practice of military strategists, but it cannot be rigidly adhered to. Battlefields are wide, narrow, dangerous, and easy, how can one be confined to a certain formation? The key to military strategy lies in the word 'surprise,' making it difficult for the enemy to predict our strengths and weaknesses, and thus we will be invincible."
Hearing such insightful words for the first time, everyone was deeply moved.
Long Yinxiao patted Ren Xiaoyao on the shoulder and said with feeling, "Our sect has undergone many changes, and many important positions are vacant. If Young Hero Ren is willing, I am willing to..." Ren
Xiaoyao knew his intentions and declined, saying, "This junior is naturally idle and used to wandering the martial world. I am afraid I cannot handle the many important affairs of your sect. I can only appreciate the kindness of Sect Leader Long and hope that you will understand." He then clasped his hands in apology.
Qin Huaiyu sighed, "The former Emperor Taizu once said, 'With Long Yinxiao on the left and Yang Yanzhao on the right, the Song Dynasty can be guaranteed.' It is only because Young Hero Ren has no intention of joining our sect that I could add, 'With Ren Xiaoyao on the left and Long Feiyun on the right, the great cause of Tianji will be accomplished in a day.'"
Qin Xiang interrupted, "Father, don't forget that you have a good son. I will shoulder the heavy responsibility of supporting the country and protecting our homeland. You can rest assured." "
Long Yinxiao was filled with heroic spirit and raised his cup, saying, "Good! You have ambition, let's drink!"
More than a thousand people in the room responded at the same time, and the atmosphere of the banquet was instantly pushed to its highest point.
As the wine went down his throat, Ren Xiaoyao suddenly remembered the Nine Dragon Jade Pendant that concerned his birth and death. He hurriedly took it out and held it in his hand, intending to ask Long Yinxiao about it.

Volume Nineteen, The Terrifying Hunting Ceremony, Chapter Two: The Dragon and Phoenix Pendants

. "Father, Young Hero Ren's personal accessory and my Nine Phoenix Jade Pendant seem to form a perfect pair," Long Feiyun spoke first, his expression solemn. "I wonder if there's some hidden secret within them..." He pondered for a long time, ultimately feeling that "secret" was the most appropriate word.
Long Yinxiao was initially taken aback, then took the two pendants and compared them briefly, saying casually, "Indeed, Young Hero Ren did give me the Nine Dragon Jade Pendant..." He abruptly stopped, his expression shifting between light and shadow, remaining silent for a long while.
Ren Xiaoyao and Long Feiyun exchanged glances. The former put down his wine cup and asked impatiently, "Master Long, this..."
Long Yinxiao sighed deeply, "What a magnificent dragon and phoenix jade pendant! Today I finally get to see its full beauty."
Ren Xiaoyao was shocked and asked urgently, "Master Long, is this the first time you've seen the Nine Dragon Jade Pendant?"
Long Yinxiao nodded slowly and said in a deep voice, "Thirty years ago, I followed Emperor Taizu in his conquest of the Southern Tang. After capturing the capital Jinling, we found a Nine Phoenix Jade Pendant in the palace. According to the eunuchs, it was a token of love given by Emperor Li Yu to his favorite concubine, Empress Zhou. Normally, palace items should not be taken without permission, but because of Yutong..." " My birthday is approaching... Oh, that's my wife. But we were still a couple back then, so I just took it back and gave it to her. In the end, it naturally ended up in Feiyun's hands."
Long Feiyun asked in astonishment, "If that's the case, how did Father know that it and the Nine Dragon Jade Pendant were originally a pair?"
Long Yinxiao recalled, "Li Yu told me himself. After the fall of the Southern Tang, he was captured and taken to Bianjing, where he was given the title of Marquis of Disobedience. The Emperor often invited him to banquets. Once, Yutong and I met him by chance, and he mentioned that the Nine Phoenix Jade Pendant was made by Emperor Taizong of Tang, Li Shimin, to celebrate Empress Zhangsun's 30th birthday. There was also a Nine Dragon Jade Pendant that Li Shimin always wore. After Li Yu ascended the throne, he sent people to search everywhere, but they only found the Nine Phoenix Jade Pendant, while the Nine Dragon Jade Pendant remained missing."
Ren Xiaoyao's expression immediately darkened, and he asked with his last glimmer of hope, "Besides that, what else does Master Long know about the Nine Dragon Jade Pendant?" Long Yinxiao shook his head and said, "
This... to be honest, apart from Li Yu's account, I know nothing else... It's a pity Li Yu has passed away, otherwise we should have been able to get some information from him."
Ren Xiaoyao couldn't suppress his disappointment and could only bury his head in his wine. He was about to uncover the mystery of his birth, but the clues suddenly went cold. The bitterness he felt was unimaginable.
Long Yinxiao had no idea that the secret of the Nine Dragon Jade Pendant was related to Ren Xiaoyao's background. He laughed and said, "Young hero Ren, you are a hero in your youth and your name is known throughout the martial world. Why bother with such a trivial matter?"
Ren Xiaoyao sighed, "In this world, if one doesn't even know who one's own parents are, what face do one have..." His voice trailed off, tears welling in his eyes. Long
Feiyun quickly relayed the story to his father, Long Yinxiao, who was greatly surprised and comforted him, saying, "Since your debut, Young Hero Ren has killed corrupt officials, punished wicked bureaucrats, robbed the rich to help the poor, and upheld justice. You have helped Tingyuxuan, Hengshan Sect, and our sect thwart several deadly plots, making indelible contributions to the stability of the Central Plains martial arts world. If your father and mother knew this in the afterlife, they would be overjoyed."
Ren Xiaoyao's mood calmed down slightly. Long Feiyun changed the subject, saying, "Young Hero Ren was entrusted by Senior Dugu and Alliance Leader Liu to come to Xunfeng City to help our sect fight against the deadly attack. Now that your purpose has been achieved, what are your plans for the future?" "
Ren Xiaoyao blurted out, "Naturally, it's to leave..." He stopped abruptly, then caught Meng Ruyan's angry glare, shuddered, and changed his words, "I've decided to stay in Xunfeng City for a while longer, firstly to experience the customs and culture of Guanzhong, and secondly to learn more from the seniors."
Long Feiyun, Qin Xiang, Zhang Feng, and Liu Qianyun all showed delight.
Long Feiyun eagerly said, "Father, why not invite Young Hero Ren to the hunting ceremony in half a month?"
Qin Xiang and Zhang Feng chimed in, "Yes, yes, yes! While we may not be as skilled in martial arts as Young Hero Ren, we're certainly not inferior in archery and horsemanship."
Ren Xiaoyao asked with interest, "What is the hunting ceremony?" Long Feiyun explained, “
The Hunting Ceremony is an important triennial event of our sect. Its initial purpose was to drive chariots and train troops, but it gradually evolved into discovering and cultivating skilled warriors. If a member of our sect achieves a ranking in the Hunting Ceremony, it can be used as a stepping stone to advancement and gain the sect leader's favor.”
Liu Ningtao added, “The imperial hunting system is divided into four seasons: spring hunt, summer hunt, autumn hunt, and winter hunt. The ceremonies are grand and the rules are complex. For example, one cannot catch young animals, collect bird eggs, kill pregnant animals, harm immature animals, or destroy bird nests. Furthermore, it emphasizes encirclement without complete annihilation, leaving room for escape, and not catching everything in one fell swoop. Our sect's Hunting Ceremony is called Tianhao, and its rules are even more numerous than those of the imperial system. First, the use of crossbows is prohibited; second, private fights over prey are forbidden; and third, all participants, regardless of rank or title, are treated equally.”
Zhu Shunwu continued, "The most exciting part of the hunting ceremony is the night hunt that begins at dusk. The two people with the best catch of the day will go to West Hunting Mountain to compete. The area is rich in tigers, leopards, and other ferocious beasts. Whoever brings back the most animal ears will be the ultimate winner." Long
Yinxiao stroked his beard and laughed, "It just so happens that Chief Xiong, Young Hero Xiao, Chief Ye, and Young Hero Ren are all here. If the four of you don't mind, would you do me the honor of joining us?"
Meng Ruyan quickly said, "I'd be honored. I'll accept on behalf of my junior brother."
Ren Xiaoyao was taken aback and said, "Senior sister, you..."
Meng Ruyan's pretty face flushed, and she said coldly, "What, you're not willing?"
Ren Xiaoyao nodded tremblingly and said, "No...no...I mean, even if you...it doesn't have to be..."
Meng Ruyan was afraid that he would reveal that she had a crush on Long Feiyun, and she said angrily, "Stop talking nonsense, are you going or not?"
Everyone burst into laughter, surprised that Ren Xiaoyao could also be so timid. Ren Xiaoyao, eager to save face, raised his head and said, "
How could I dare to refuse the kindness of Sect Leader Long? As for the first place in the hunting competition... hehe, it's definitely mine."
Long Feiyun laughed loudly, "Good, I'll compete with Young Hero Ren." Xiong
Xiaotian, Xiao Xingchen, and Ye Zhiqi all expressed their agreement, unaware that a calamity that could determine the rise and fall of the martial arts world was about to unfold.

Volume Nineteen: The Thrilling Hunting Ceremony, Chapter Three: The Hunting Ceremony . Half

a month passed quickly, and the long-awaited hunting ceremony was about to begin.
Xiong Xiaotian, Xiao Xingchen, Ye Zhiqi, and Ren Xiaoyao walked side-by-side into the training ground, surrounded by a bustling crowd and fluttering banners.
The participants were either the sons of the leaders of the Five Halls or rising stars selected by the various military commanders. Everyone was impeccably dressed, riding tall horses adorned with bright and ornate saddles and armor, gathered under their respective banners. The number of riders was approximately three thousand, a vibrant and distinguished gathering of heroes.
Jing Si personally led eight thousand inner guards, positioned on both sides, ready to escort the participants to the hunting grounds. The Longxiang and Huyi armies, due to the participation of their newly appointed commanders Qin Xiang and Zhang Feng in the hunt, were temporarily under the command of Wang Xin and Kang Le, responsible for protecting the participants. Ten thousand family members and relatives watched the hunt.
The four hall masters—Liu Ningtao, Zhu Shunwu, Liu Qingping, and Qin Tianyu—gathered on either side of the reviewing stand. Several prefects and military governors who had traveled from afar were also present. The crowd chatted animatedly.
The Women's Army, under the Qilin Hall, comprised hundreds of beautifully dressed young women, a striking contrast among the men. They had all initially been infatuated with Long Feiyun, but since he publicly declared his love for Liu Qianyun, they had abandoned their former reserve, frequently exchanging playful banter with the young men beside them, bringing a spring-like atmosphere to the scene.
However, the most eye-catching figures were not them, but Ren Xiaoyao's female companions and Liu Qianyun and Meng Ruyan, who stood on the west side of the training ground, each smiling charmingly. All the spirited men under thirty, and even many young women, turned to look at them, gazing up at their graceful figures.
Nangong Fengyi and Liu Qianyun were elegant and gentle; Lin Yuxiu and Nangong Fengzi were charming and lovely; Meng Ruyan and Shui Furong were graceful and beautiful—all were beauties among beauties, rare and breathtaking.
Recalling his passionate encounters with Shui Furong and Lin Yuxiu the previous night, Ren Xiaoyao could not suppress his passion. He rode to the women's side and softly asked, "Furong, Xiuxiu, did you sleep well?" Nangong Fengyi, Liu Qianyun, and the others responded with sweet smiles. Shui Furong and
Lin Yuxiu's cheeks immediately flushed red with shyness, making Ren Xiaoyao's heart burn and his mind wander. Just then, Nangong Fengzi, riding close, said, "Brother Xiaoyao, would you like to come to my room tonight? I've missed you terribly!" Ren Xiaoyao's appetite was whetted, and he immediately nodded in agreement.
The drums sounded urgently, and Long Yinxiao, surrounded by Qin Huaiyu and Zhang Jinghong, ascended the reviewing stand.
The entire audience immediately fell silent in salute. The members of the Heavenly Pole Sect first greeted their leader, then, following the courtly etiquette, hailed the Prince as "Long Live the Prince."
The hunting ceremony officially began, with a procession of nearly 30,000 people stretching for over ten miles, marching with great fanfare towards the hunting grounds outside the city.
Along the way, crowds of people lined the streets to welcome them, and red ribbons hung everywhere, showing that the people had long regarded the hunting as a major triennial celebration.
Long Yinxiao led the way, surrounded by imperial guards, heading towards the hunting grounds. Young talents such as Long Feiyun, Qin Xiang, and Zhang Feng eagerly accompanied him.
Ren Xiaoyao walked with the women for a while, then Zhang Feng deliberately lagged behind to stand beside him, seemingly having something important to discuss. The two left the main road and rode side by side along the roadside.
Waiting until no one was around, Zhang Feng lowered his voice and said, "Brother Ren, you told me to put aside my pursuit of Qianyun for now, but now she's with my elder brother. I... what should I do?"
Ren Xiaoyao felt a headache coming on, thinking to himself: I can't very well tell you this was my idea, can I? He smiled bitterly, "You didn't tell me beforehand that Hall Master Long was also interested in Miss Liu, otherwise... sigh!" He sighed deeply, his face full of sorrow.
Zhang Feng had no idea he was faking it, and thought he had been too careless, so he said in a hoarse voice, "I didn't know my elder brother liked Qianyun. Before... before he was so cold to Qianyun, who would have thought that in just a few days, they would be together."
Ren Xiaoyao asked softly, "Brother Zhang, are you planning to give up now or... continue pursuing her?"
Zhang Feng's eyes were unfocused, and he said blankly, "I... I don't know. Logically speaking, since Qianyun is already with my elder brother, I shouldn't interfere, but... but I just can't let go of these feelings. How can I just watch Qianyun..." "Yun becoming someone else's wife, I... I can't do it!"
Ren Xiaoyao couldn't bear to see him troubled by love, and asked in a deep voice, "Are you planning to compete with Hall Master Long for Miss Liu?"
Zhang Feng pondered for a long time, then shook his head and said, "No, since they truly love each other, then... I can wait, wait until Qianyun and my elder brother break up, and then..."
Ren Xiaoyao interrupted, "Wait? Wait for how long? Three years? Five years? What if Hall Master Long and Miss Liu become husband and wife? Will you remain unmarried for life? Wait a lifetime?"
Zhang Feng was dizzy from his barrage of questions and stood there stunned for a moment.
Ren Xiaoyao pressed his advantage, asking, "To be honest, is your deep affection for Miss Liu a childhood memory; or a natural inclination for youthful romance; or perhaps a momentary impulse, an inability to control yourself?"
Zhang Feng shook his head, saying, "I assure you, I genuinely love Qianyun; I love him more than anything."
Ren Xiaoyao revealed a meaningful smile, slowly saying, "Actually, you don't understand love at all. You don't understand what true feelings between men and women are."
Zhang Feng couldn't help but exclaim, "I don't understand love? From acquaintance to understanding, from understanding to love, to mutual affection, and finally becoming husband and wife—isn't that true love?" Ren Xiaoyao slowly shook his head, emphasizing each word, and said in a deep voice, "True love isn't about capturing a woman's heart and making her your possession, but about hoping that
the woman you love finds her own happiness."
"Wouldn't Qianyun be just as happy marrying me?" Zhang Feng retorted angrily.
Ren Xiaoyao's gaze was intense, and he said solemnly, "What is happiness? Happiness is being with the one you love, never to be separated. Right now, Miss Liu loves Master Long. Only by marrying him can she find true happiness."
Zhang Feng countered, "Why...how can you be so sure that Qianyun won't fall for me in the future?"
Ren Xiaoyao said decisively, "I swear on my life, Miss Liu will not favor you anytime soon."
Zhang Feng asked impatiently, "Why?"
Ren Xiaoyao said in a deep voice, "In terms of martial arts skills, you are inferior to Master Long; in terms of military achievements, you are also inferior to Master Long; in terms of seniority and reputation, you are still inferior to Master Long!"
Zhang Feng was speechless. After a long while, he finally asked, "What...what should I do?"
Ren Xiaoyao patted Zhang Feng's shoulder and said seriously... "You should do everything in your power to surpass Master Long and prove to the world that you are superior to him and more deserving of winning Miss Liu's heart."
He paused for a moment, then said naturally, "To surpass Master Long in martial arts is not something that can be achieved overnight, but the upcoming Northern Expedition is the best opportunity for you to make your mark. The Tiger Wing Army is your sect's most elite cavalry force, and since it is under your command, Brother Zhang, you should seize the opportunity."
Zhang Feng immediately realized and exclaimed, "That's right! Back then, the sect leader had no merit whatsoever, but because he single-handedly captured Gao Jichong, the ruler of Jingnan, while accompanying the founding emperor on a campaign, he rose rapidly through the ranks, from an unknown personal guard to an invincible war god revered by the world."
Seeing that Zhang Feng finally understood, Ren Xiaoyao added opportunely, "The hunting ceremony is the best opportunity for you to showcase yourself, but in the archery and horsemanship competition, you are truly inferior to Master Long. The winner should..." "Your chances are slim, so what you should do is not compete with him, but establish a shining image of youthful promise and extraordinary bravery among the thousands of talented young men in your sect, so that the eight thousand soldiers of the Tiger Wing Army will wholeheartedly obey your orders."
Zhang Feng suddenly realized and murmured, "Young Master Ren is absolutely right. The Tiger Wing Army has been implicated in the rebellion, and morale is low. Everyone is insecure. If I, as the new commander, outshine the other commanders in the hunting ceremony, I will surely restore the confidence of the eight thousand soldiers and rekindle their fighting spirit."
Ren Xiaoyao secretly sighed that the young man was teachable and whispered in his ear, "Before the hunt begins, have a good talk with your deputies. It would be best to have the young generals under your command who are participating in the hunt accompany you for convenience."
Zhang Feng's eyes shone with gratitude, and he cupped his hands and said, "Thank you for your advice, Young Master Ren. I will go and do it right away!" With that, he rode away.

Volume Nineteen: The Thrilling Hunt - Chapter Four: Archery Competition. On

the south bank of the Wei River, banners fluttered like a sea, and tents
stretched as far as the eye could see. Ren Xiaoyao, accompanied by Nangong Fengyi, Nangong Fengzi, Shui Furong, and Liu Yuxiu, stood on a flat-topped hill in the northwest corner of the camp, surveying the surrounding terrain.
The Tianji Sect was indeed different from ordinary Jianghu organizations; their camps and fortifications were established entirely according to military regulations and tactics. Given the flat terrain and lack of natural defenses, they had set up a rectangular camp, with hundreds of large tents arranged in a neat and orderly fashion.
Since the younger generation of the sect participated in the hunt, those responsible for guarding the camp were mostly experienced members over thirty years old. They were positioned in square formations on the east, west, south, and north sides, surrounding the camp like stars around the moon. The Longxiang and Huyi armies, on the other hand, had camps set up in the distance, remotely guarding the roads leading to the hunting grounds.
Long Yinxiao's royal tent was located in the center of the army, flanked by white banners and yellow axes, gold and silver insignia, and surrounded by three hundred loyal guards. Of course, this was just a ceremonial guard set up according to the court's etiquette system; otherwise, with the "Wind and Cloud Sword Saint's" outstanding martial arts skills, why would he need anyone else to protect him?
Seven other tents were set up for Qin Huaiyu, Zhang Jinghong, and the five hall masters, while the rest were reserved for the families and relatives of the various officials within the sect to rest. Between every three tents was a walkway wide enough for eight horses to gallop abreast. At the intersections of these walkways were large open areas with horse stables and archery practice areas, allowing the hunters to stretch their limbs, compete in horsemanship, or practice archery. The atmosphere was bustling and lively.
The first round of competition was about to begin, and all the participants gathered in the open area outside the royal tent, each one eager and ready to try. Hundreds of young women from the Heroines' Army, all smiling and charming, surrounded Nangong Fengyi and Nangong Fengzi, asking them questions. Many young followers who were interested in pursuing them flocked here to seek opportunities, and some even boldly invited their chosen ones to witness their later performances.
A long wind blew, flags fluttered, and the neighing of warhorses echoed above the camp.
Two guards, each carrying a golden-embroidered canopy, escorted Long Yinxiao out of the royal tent, and the entire area fell silent.
After the usual address, Long Yinxiao ordered a red brocade battle robe to be brought out and announced loudly, "Hunting requires skill in archery and horsemanship. Before the competition begins, I would like to test your archery skills. Whoever hits the bullseye will receive this robe as a small reward." With that, Jing Siyou, who had been standing respectfully beside him, stepped forward and personally set up a quiver two hundred paces away.
Although everyone was eager to try, with such a brilliant shot before them, hitting the bullseye from such a distance was already difficult, let alone striking it directly. A mishap would be embarrassing, and for a moment, no one responded.
Liu Ningtao challenged, "Among the thousands of young heroes of our sect, is there not even one who dares to try?"
"Let me try!" With a long shout, a man leaped forward on horseback. It was Liu Qingping's younger brother, Liu Yijun, the deputy head of the Vermilion Bird Hall. Among the young sect members participating in the hunt, besides Long Feiyun, he held the highest rank and was even above Long Feiyun in seniority, making him a strong contender for first place.
Liu Yijun focused his mind and slowly drew his longbow. With a "whoosh," an arrow shot out, hitting the bullseye. Immediately, drums and gongs resounded, and everyone cheered.
Long Yinxiao was overjoyed and was about to have Jing Si fetch a battle robe for Liu Yijun when suddenly someone shouted, "Wait! Please wait for my performance before making a decision, Master."
Everyone turned to look and saw that the speaker was Zhao Yi, the deputy commander of the Yongxing Army, and they were all greatly surprised. Zhao Yi, twenty-seven years old this year, had been a member of the White Tiger Hall for nearly ten years. He hadn't participated
in the previous two hunts, clearly indicating his lack of skill in archery and horsemanship. Why then did he also participate in the competition for the battle robe? Zhao Yi drew his bow, spurred his horse, and fired an arrow, hitting the bullseye. Only then did everyone realize that he had deliberately concealed his strength, intending to surprise everyone and seize victory in this competition.
Zhao Yi was overjoyed and shouted, "Bring me the battle robe!" Before he finished speaking, Qin Xiang raised his bow and shouted, "Your archery skills are nothing special, watch mine!" With that, he spurred his horse back and forth, galloping three times before suddenly leaning back and firing an arrow behind his back, also hitting the bullseye. Three powerful arrows were neatly clustered in the center of the quiver, a truly magnificent sight. Qin Huaiyu stroked his beard and smiled, secretly sighing that the Qin family of Licheng had worthy successors.
Zhang Feng, adept at seizing opportunities, knew that if he could outmaneuver his opponents at this moment, he would reignite the fighting spirit of the Tiger Wing Army. He shouted, "Second Brother's backstab is nothing special! Watch me shoot the bullseye!"
Zhang Jinghong, seeing his beloved son's brimming confidence, was very pleased and said loudly, "Feng'er, your father will beat the drum for you." He then personally took the drumsticks and began to beat them.
Zhang Feng, intending to show off, first bowed with clasped hands, then drew his Sun-Piercing Bow, using his internal energy to activate the bowstring, producing a clear "clang." He then took out a powerful arrow, nocked it, drew the bow to its full extent, aimed at the bullseye, and with a "whoosh," it shot out, striking the bullseye among the three arrows.
Amidst deafening cheers, Zhang Feng reined in his horse, pressed his bow, and shouted, "Gentlemen, can this arrow win the brocade robe?"
The entire Tiger Wing Army responded in unison, "Yes!" Their voices resounded throughout the entire field.
Long Yinxiao looked at his beloved son and said happily, "Feiyun, why don't you give it a try?"
Long Feiyun originally wanted to give Zhang Feng a chance to shine, but he couldn't disobey his father's wishes, so he could only nod in agreement and say loudly, "In terms of archery accuracy, I am truly inferior to my second brother. I can
only show off my rapid-fire arrows to amuse you all." Long Yinxiao made a gesture, and Jing Si immediately changed to a brand-new quiver. All eyes were on Long Feiyun. His every move represented not only himself but also the reputation and face of the entire Tianji Sect.
Long Feiyun spurred his horse, turned his back to the target, took three long arrows, and held them between his fingers.
The entire arena was silent. Everyone held their breath and stared intently ahead.
Long Feiyun spun around like a whirlwind, and with a series of "whoosh" sounds, three powerful arrows burst forth, one after another shooting towards the target like meteors chasing the moon.
With a resounding "thud!", the first arrow struck the bullseye, followed by the second and third, forming a beautiful triangular pattern.
The entire arena was initially silent, then erupted in thunderous applause that lasted for a long time.
Liu Yijun, Zhao Yi, Qin Xiang, and Zhang Feng were all thoroughly impressed; they all admitted that even if they practiced for another three to five years, they might not be able to match Long Feiyun's skill. Long Yin Xiao rose
to his feet. Everyone assumed the sect leader was about to hand his battle robe to his beloved son, but instead, he walked to Ren Xiaoyao's side and said with a smile, "I've long heard of Young Hero Ren's superb archery skills. Why not show us your skills?" Ren Xiaoyao chuckled, "This junior's skills are still lacking; how dare I embarrass myself in front of everyone?" Long Yin Xiao scrutinized Ren Xiaoyao with a gleam in his eyes, and said earnestly, "Sometimes there's no need to hide your sharpness. When it's time to act, act decisively; that's the true nature of a man." Ren Xiaoyao's eyes flashed with a sharp light as he frankly said, "Please forgive my bluntness, but Master Long and the others have already demonstrated their archery skills to the fullest. If I were to test my skills, I would have to rely on brute force." "Laugh, but my bow is too soft, I'm afraid..." Long Yinxiao understood and said, "That's easy... Guards, bring me my Divine Arm Bow." A short while later, the military officer delivered the Divine Arm Bow and a quiver of feathered arrows. Ren Xiaoyao took it with great care, pulled hard, and shouted, "Excellent! It truly is a treasure bow, one in a thousand!" Long Feiyun laughed, "Of course, this bow was bestowed by the Emperor Taizu. It accompanied my father on his campaigns, killing countless enemy generals." Ren Xiaoyao was deeply moved. He slowly gathered his true energy, drawing the Divine Arm Bow to its full extent. His mind entered a state of ethereal clarity and stillness, his expression becoming extremely solemn. The veins in his arms gradually bulged, and his blood flow suddenly accelerated. Ren Xiaoyao roared to the sky, and the series of actions—aiming, shooting, and drawing back the bow—were completed in the blink of an eye. The speed was so fast that no one could imagine it unless they were watching with their own eyes. Standing beside the arrow stack, Jing Si was particularly shocked. In the blink of an eye, the arrow was already about five zhang away, its momentum undiminished and even accelerating, almost imperceptible to the naked eye. The biting wind made Jing Si's eyes sting. Although his Golden Bell Shield had surpassed the highest level, he still couldn't reach this point. He could only close his eyes slightly to avoid being injured. However, when he opened his eyes, he was surprised to find that the arrow stack was completely empty. "Missed...missed the target!?" Jing Si was utterly astonished and almost blurted out. Suddenly, he caught sight of the round hole in the center of the bullseye and immediately realized that the arrow that Ren Xiaoyao had shot from two hundred paces away had pierced through the target! Except for Meng Ruyan, everyone looked at each other in astonishment. Ren Xiaoyao's martial arts were always about using softness to overcome hardness, and such powerful force should not have come from him. In fact, Ren Xiaoyao used the Finger Flicking Flame. After more than half a year of experience in the martial world, his cultivation in all aspects had improved considerably. Compared with the small test he had given in Tingyu Pavilion, he was no longer comparable. With the Divine Arm Bow, the Eagle Feather Arrow, and the extremely strong and swift force of the Finger Flicking Flame, it was naturally indestructible. Long Yinxiao laughed heartily and turned to Xiong Xiaotian and Ye Zhiqiu, saying, "In the opinion of Chief Xiong and Chief Ye, who should receive this red brocade battle robe?" Xiong Xiaotian pondered and said, "Zhang Feng won with his ingenuity, Chief Long is known for his intricate designs, and Fourth Brother is the best in the field with his strength. It would be fair to say that anyone would receive the battle robe."

Ye Zhi Qiu, quick-witted, raised his voice and said, "In my opinion, why not use this as a reward for the winner of the hunt? Whoever hunts the most beasts will receive the red brocade battle robe."
Long Yin Xiao looked around and solemnly asked, "What do you all think?"
Everyone nodded in agreement.
Long Yin Xiao solemnly said, "Very well, let's follow General Ye's suggestion. The first round of the hunt will begin now." The
more than three thousand participants immediately scattered, and the barking of hunting dogs echoed across the plains. Those who owned falcons sent their eagles into the sky, letting them soar high and display their might.
Xiong Xiao Tian and Ye Zhi Qiu, mindful of their status, did not participate. Xiao Xing Chen, not skilled in archery and horsemanship, remained a spectator. Ren Xiao Yao had no intention of competing, but because of his "arrogant" remarks at the banquet, he had no choice but to use all his skills to hunt wild beasts.
While he wasn't as familiar with the mountain terrain as Long Feiyun, he possessed unparalleled speed and agility, making him far faster than ordinary people at chasing wild beasts or gathering prey. After three hours, he had also reaped a considerable harvest. Following
a tally led by Liu Ningtao, the top five in the first round of the competition were quickly determined: Ren Xiaoyao and Long Feiyun tied for first place, followed by Zhang Feng, Qin Xiang, Liu Yijun, and Zhao Yi.
As the sun set, its afterglow bathed the entire wilderness, filling the campsite with a lively and joyous atmosphere.
The banquet was held in the open wilderness, surrounded by numerous tents, wooden stockades, and fortified walls.
Long Yinxiao's main seat was on the east side, while the other three sides had nine rows of over four hundred tables, each seating thirteen to sixteen people. Everyone was in high spirits, chatting and laughing. The numerous bonfires between the tables illuminated the campsite, which stretched for miles, creating a festive atmosphere reminiscent of a wildfire party.
All the leaders of the Tianji Sect were present. Long Yinxiao, Jing Si, and ten of the best performers in the hunt, including Ren Xiaoyao, Long Feiyun, Zhang Feng, Qin Xiang, Liu Yijun, and Zhao Yi, shared a seat. Qin Huaiyu and Zhang Jinghong accompanied Xiong Xiaotian, Ye Zhiqi, Xiao Xingchen, and other distinguished guests. Nangong Fengyi, Nangong Fengzi, Shui Furong, and Lin Yuxiu chatted and laughed with Meng Ruyan, Liu Qianyun, and several of the most beautiful girls in the Heroine Army on the side. Their relaxed and carefree demeanor was so captivating that even elders like Zhu Shunwu and Liu Qingping would occasionally glance at them, not to mention the younger generation with far less self-control.
The spoils of the hunt were roasted until fragrant, with all kinds of birds and beasts on display.
Wine, of course, was indispensable in such an occasion, and countless men took turns toasting and exchanging drinks, enjoying themselves immensely. Ren Xiaoyao had an amazing capacity for alcohol, but because he was going to compete with Long Feiyun in the Night Hunt later, he didn't drink to his heart's content. On the other hand, the Zhang brothers, Feng and Qin Xiang, drank from large bowls of wine and ate large chunks of meat, and soon became slightly drunk.
While Long Yinxiao went to toast Xiong Xiaotian and the others, Qin Xiang grabbed Long Feiyun and asked in a daze, "B-Big Brother, did you receive Qianyun's red flower?"
Long Feiyun's old face turned slightly red, and he asked awkwardly. "Second brother, you jest. It can't be that fast."
Ren Xiaoyao was completely bewildered and asked in astonishment, "What red flower?"
Liu Yijun leaned over and explained, "It's a custom of our sect. During hunting, if an unmarried girl takes a fancy to a man, she will give him a hand-embroidered red flower. The man with the flower can spend the night in her tent after midnight. Heh! Do you understand now?"
Ren Xiaoyao thought to himself: Zhang Feng is at our table, yet you bring up the very thing we shouldn't. Just as he was about to brush it off, he suddenly noticed that Zhang Feng had already passed out drunk on the ground. He felt relieved and laughed, "Vice Hall Master Liu, your tone is ambiguous. Have you received the red flower yet?"
Liu Yijun said mysteriously, "Hehe, I only received three."
Everyone laughed heartily, unsure whether they were praising his romantic charm or scolding him for deliberately keeping them in suspense.
Liu Yijun shrugged and lowered his voice, "Luckily, Young Hero Ren isn't a member of our sect, otherwise... receiving thirty or even three hundred flowers wouldn't be excessive."
Zhao Yi took several gulps of wine and interjected, "Receiving more flowers isn't a problem, the real worry is no one will give us any."
Everyone burst into laughter again, drawing stares from those around them.
Long Yinxiao turned back and casually asked, "Feiyun, what are you all talking about? Everyone's all smiles."
Long Feiyun couldn't answer truthfully, so Hu Zou said, "Everyone's discussing who will ultimately win the Night Hunt later."
Ren Xiaoyao chimed in, "Without a doubt, it'll be Hall Master Long."
Long Feiyun quickly waved his hand, "Hey, how could Feiyun dare to compete with Young Hero Ren?"
The two of them, singing in unison, immediately dispelled everyone's doubts.

Volume Nineteen, The Hunting Ceremony, Chapter Six: The Battle Between Man and Werewolf

. The clamor of horses neighing and dogs barking enveloped West Hunting Mountain at dusk. The sun, almost sinking below the horizon, spat out brilliant rays of light before being swallowed by the earth, casting a pale red glow over the maple, red pine, larch, and elm trees vying for height and displaying mottled colors within the valley. On the surface, it resembled a beautiful landscape scroll, but within, it was filled with murderous intent and lurking danger. Sables, jackals, and clouded leopards were not to be underestimated; there were even tigers, black bears, and lions, whose howls alone were enough to chill one's soul.
Ren Xiaoyao and Long Feiyun exchanged a glance, simultaneously raised their whips, and spurred their horses into the valley. As the saying goes, skill breeds daring; protective gear, hawks, and hounds were superfluous. Bows, arrows, and their respective mounts were sufficient to traverse the valley.
Winding through the dense, towering camphor trees, the two men, accompanied by a gently flowing mountain stream, arrived at a fork in the road. Ren Xiaoyao clasped his hands in a fist salute and said, "Master Long, shall we split up and meet here again in an hour?"
Long Feiyun smiled confidently and replied, "Alright, Young Hero Ren, don't hold back. Let's each show our best skills and see who's superior." With that, he galloped off.
Ren Xiaoyao hadn't gone far when a vicious wolf suddenly sprang out from the roadside, baring its fangs and howling angrily, its long, sharp white teeth dripping with saliva. If Ren Xiaoyao were riding an ordinary horse, it might have been terrified and thrown to the ground, but Thousand Mile Chasing Wind was an unparalleled steed. It feared neither a mere wolf nor a pack of lions and tigers. Ren Xiaoyao reined in the horse, drew his bow, and shot an arrow. The wolf fell dead instantly.
The ferocious beasts of the Western Hunting Forest were in for a rough night. No matter how nimble and cunning the beasts were, they couldn't escape their fate, no matter how many arrows Ren Xiaoyao fired. In less than half an hour, his animal-ear pouch was almost full. He was considering whether to hunt a few black bears and cut off their paws to take back with his wine.
At this time, darkness fell, and a bright moon hung in the sky. Suddenly, a deafening howl of wolves erupted.
At first, Ren Xiaoyao didn't pay attention, as this was a habit passed down for tens of thousands of years among wolves. However, when he returned to the agreed-upon location with Long Feiyun, he couldn't find him anywhere.
A thought struck Ren Xiaoyao, and he ran in the direction Long Feiyun had been hunting. Rounding a dense forest, he suddenly discovered hundreds of hungry wolves sitting on the ground, looking up at the moon, howling in unison, their cries mournful and chilling. After a while, the howling stopped abruptly, and they rushed forward, surging towards a rock wall.
Even from a distance of several dozen feet, Ren Xiaoyao couldn't see clearly, only noticing a faint light near the rock face. He instinctively spurred his horse forward, eager to investigate. What he saw nearly made him fall from his horse in fright. The wolves surrounding him were none other than Long Feiyun. Dozens of hungry wolves circled him, poised to pounce. Each time they charged, they were frightened back by the firelight, but still bared their teeth and claws, howling and howling.
Long Feiyun had already tied his horse to the side, using the makeshift firelight to intimidate the wolves. Unfortunately, he only had a hundred or so arrows, most of which he had already used during the morning hunt; otherwise, killing all the wolves wouldn't have been difficult.
Ren Xiaoyao knew that once the fire circle went out, Long Feiyun would be surrounded and attacked by a pack of wolves. Although he was skilled in martial arts, how could he deal with hundreds of vicious wolves on his own? He reached into his waist and found that he had few arrows left. He immediately shouted, "Don't panic, Hall Master Long! I'm here to help you!" He raised the Ice Soul Frost Sword and rushed over as if flying.
Three hungry wolves howled and charged forward. Ren Xiaoyao used his Free and Unfettered Palm technique with his left hand, deflecting one of them and sending it crashing into a tree. With a swift swing of his right hand, he sliced the other two into pieces as easily as chopping vegetables.
In an instant, seven more wolves pounced. Ren Xiaoyao shifted his body, grabbed the head of one of the giant wolves, and swung it at another gray wolf. The wolf leaped away, dodging, and pounced again. Ren Xiaoyao quickly used "Pushing Open the Window to Gaze at the Moon," lifting the giant wolf and slamming it against a wolf that was charging at him. Both wolves, their eyes bloodshot, bit indiscriminately. One wolf's face was torn to the bone, while the other's neck was bleeding profusely. Seeing the blood, the remaining wolves swarmed forward even more fiercely, tearing the giant wolf in his hands to shreds. Ren Xiaoyao roared to the sky, then hurled the remaining wolf carcasses away with tremendous force. He grabbed a crossbow and wielded it with incredible speed, unleashing several astonishing killing moves from the Lingxiao Sword Technique, carving a gap in the rock face and gradually closing in.
Long Feiyun, naturally, was not idle either. He first fired a barrage of crossbow bolts, each arrow killing two wolves. Then he picked up a burning branch from the ground and hurled it at the pack. The wolves, terrified of fire, retreated in fear, except for the alpha wolf, which remained fearless, opening its jaws and standing on its hind legs to bite his throat. Long Feiyun seized the opportunity, channeling his strength to force a two-foot-long branch into the wolf's mouth. The alpha wolf, writhing in agony, lunged towards the pack, only to collapse to the ground after a few steps.
Seeing the fire extinguished, the wolves pounced again. Long Feiyun reached out to grab them, but a wolf turned and bit him. Had he not dodged quickly, his left hand would have been severed. At that moment, two more hungry wolves charged from the right. Long Feiyun swung his sword horizontally, but the wolf, unaware of the feint, hastily dodged to the right. Long Feiyun's sword circled, then immediately changed direction, thrusting from the right. Knowing it couldn't dodge, the wolf, in a moment of quick thinking, opened its massive jaws and bit down hard on the sword.
Long Feiyun pushed forward, but found it difficult to advance even an inch. Although the wolf's tongue was cut, it knew this was a matter of life and death and still held on tightly despite the pain. Moreover, he was wielding only an ordinary weapon, not the Nine Heavens Profound Sky Sword, one of the Three Treasures of Heaven. Long Feiyun pulled back, but the wolf wouldn't let go. Its body was lifted up, but its two rows of sharp teeth seemed rooted to the sword's edge.
Amidst the howling, several more wolves lunged at him. Long Feiyun remained calm, using a single palm strike to shatter the skull of one of them. Then, he slightly shifted his body, delivering a flying kick to the rump of another wolf that pounced on him. The wolf, in pain, couldn't get up and howled as it fled backward, colliding with its companion and rolling in a heap. Finally, he punched the giant wolf between the eyes, causing it to fall backward in pain. Long
Feiyun felt a sudden release in his hand as he finally drew his longsword. Seeing Ren Xiaoyao's swift and decisive attack, Long Feiyun felt a surge of pride. He unleashed a flurry of slashes and thrusts with his longsword, blood splattering everywhere. Any wolf that pounced was either pierced in the throat or had its snout sliced off, as easily as slicing through melons and vegetables. (

Chapter 6, "The Ambushes in the Dense Forest," Volume 19)

The two fought their way through the forest and finally met up beside a camphor tree. By this time, the wolf pack was almost wiped out. Even Thousand Miles Chasing Wind had become aggressive, occasionally kicking out with its hooves and knocking down several wolves.
Ren Xiaoyao laughed heartily and said loudly, "Master Long, how should this hunt be counted?"
Long Feiyun shrugged casually and chuckled, "Those slashed with a sword don't count; only those shot count."
Ren Xiaoyao leisurely raised his longbow, his eyes flashing with lightning, and said nonchalantly, "Alright, watch me." With that, he fired continuously. When the arrows in his quiver were exhausted, the wolves were also dead or wounded.
Long Feiyun strode to Ren Xiaoyao's side, cupped his hands, and said, "Fortunately, Young Hero Ren arrived in time, otherwise I would have been devoured by wolves. I will never forget your life-saving grace."
Ren Xiaoyao patted Long Feiyun's shoulder and said casually, "Haha, with Hall Master Long's martial arts, breaking through the encirclement is no difficult task. I'm only here to add to the joy and help you wipe out the wolves. There's no need for thanks... By the way, how did Hall Master Long get trapped by them?"
Long Feiyun smiled bitterly, "Alas, it's all because I was too eager to win and focused on hunting more beasts. I encountered a pack of wolves while walking and didn't even try to avoid them. Instead, I rushed in, and as a result... my skills are lacking, truly lacking."
Ren Xiaoyao said happily, "Come, let's each take a beast's ear. We'll have to show it to Hall Master Long later."
Long Feiyun nodded in agreement and was about to start when he suddenly frowned and said, "Huh, why are these wolves all skin and bones? They shouldn't be..." "We're short of food!"
Ren Xiaoyao bent down to investigate and found that it was indeed as Long Feiyun had said. He exclaimed, "Could it be that someone deliberately starved them so that they could attack us in the chaos of the Western Hunt?"
Long Feiyun's expression turned solemn, and he shook his head, saying, "Impossible. Western Hunt Mountain is the sacred hunting ground of our sect. Only members of the sect are allowed to enter, and besides..."
Ren Xiaoyao's body suddenly trembled, and he interrupted, "I remember now. Back then, on Yanxia Island in the East Sea, the sharpness of the Ice Soul Frost Sword could even frighten away sharks, but the pack of wolves not only did not retreat, but rushed forward to attack and tear at us. It's really... really unusual."
Long Feiyun was also a smart man and instantly sensed the strangeness of the situation. He said in a deep voice, "We shouldn't delay. Let's return to the camp immediately. Tomorrow, I will have Zhang Feng lead the Tiger Wing Army to search the mountain and find out the truth."
Before he finished speaking, a "whoosh" sound was heard, and a barrage of powerful arrows whistled through the air.
Ren Xiaoyao and Long Feiyun reacted with lightning speed, simultaneously leaping into the air to dodge most of the arrows. However, three of them were aimed precisely at Ren Xiaoyao's throat. Ren Xiaoyao let out a sharp shout, and his Ice Soul Frost Sword slashed with lightning speed, instantly cutting the first arrow in two. The other two collided in mid-air, suddenly changing direction and swiftly targeting his shoulders. The attack was fast, ruthless, accurate, and vicious, truly formidable.
Ren Xiaoyao was well-versed in the various techniques of the Meng family's hidden weapons; such a minor trick could not harm him. The Ice Soul Frost Sword suddenly drew a whirlwind-like circle of light, emitting a sharp whistling sound as it easily deflected the two powerful arrows.
Long Feiyun slashed horizontally with his left palm, striking the arrow squarely. He parried with his right sword, causing arrows from both sides to fall. Then, using his waist strength, he leaned back, narrowly avoiding the powerful arrow that struck him head-on. Simultaneously, he pushed off with both feet, landing steadily on the ground.
Ren Xiaoyao, sword held horizontally to his chest, roared, "Who goes there? How dare you be so insolent!"
Seven masked assassins suddenly leaped down from the surrounding banyan trees, wielding seven unusual weapons: the Mandarin Duck Axe, the Yin-Yang Sharp Blade, the Iron Pipa, the Three-Fold Staff, the Hooked Cudgel, the Sky-Supporting Fork, and the Crescent Shovel.
The masked assassin wielding the Sky-Supporting Fork seemed to be the leader, coldly saying, "Who we are is unimportant, because you two will both die tonight."
Ren Xiaoyao laughed heartily; he had heard this countless times, and each time it resulted in heavy casualties for the opposing side.
Long Feiyun casually glanced at the assassins, then chuckled leisurely, "So the Seven Heroes of Jiangning have also joined Juesha and become Hentian's lackeys. Unexpected indeed."
The seven masked assassins all trembled slightly, and Ren Xiaoyao was even more astonished. The Seven Heroes of Jiangning were renowned righteous figures in the Jiangnan region, known for their chivalry, and they always used swords or knives. It was hard to connect these seven masked assassins with them.
Long Feiyun noticed the doubt in his eyes and explained with a smile, "Jiang Chongwei, the eldest of the Seven Heroes of Jiangning, is a disciple of Master Yunling, the former head of the Huangshan Sect. Ten years ago, he fought with Sun Jianzhong, a notorious bandit from Hexi, and was left with a scar about an inch long near his eye... Look, over there."
Ren Xiaoyao looked in the direction he pointed and indeed saw a clearly visible scar above the black mask used by the assassin leader.
Long Feiyun smiled slightly and continued, "Second brother Yao Weihua is the first disciple of Xie Jianming, a great hero of Jiangzuo. He is skilled in using the Ghost Head Saber. Because he suffered a serious illness in his childhood, his left foot was left with sequelae, and his movement is slightly slow. Young hero Ren, with your superb lightness skill, you can naturally recognize him at a glance... Third brother Liu Haiyan... Fourth brother Deng Liangsong... Fifth brother Li Xuegan... Sixth brother Su Dongzhuang... Seventh brother Liang Xinlai... You think you can fool me, Long Feiyun, by changing your weapons? Dream on!" He recounted the background of the Seven Heroes of Jiangning as if they were his own treasures, and pointed out their physical characteristics one by one. Ren Xiaoyao already knew that he was familiar with the history of the Jianghu and the anecdotes of the martial arts world, but he was still very surprised. The seven assassins were even more dumbfounded.
While the other side stood there stunned, Long Feiyun leaned close to Ren Xiaoyao and whispered, "There are still two groups lying in ambush in the woods. Should we deal with them ourselves, or send a signal for the flank guards to handle them?"
Ren Xiaoyao's left hand slowly brushed along the spine of the Ice Soul Frost Sword, and he said arrogantly, "Since these ignorant bandits have disturbed our hunt, let's decide who gets the Red Brocade Robe based on the number of heads we take."
Long Feiyun slapped his thigh and exclaimed, "Good, let's do it that way. But... don't say I didn't warn you, although the Ice Soul Frost Sword can cut through iron like mud, the unique weapons of the Seven Masters of Jiangning are not easy to cut. Don't underestimate them or be careless, lest you tarnish your reputation as the 'Romantic Thief'."
Ren Xiaoyao nodded with a smile, took a sudden half step forward, his clothes billowed slightly, and his true energy circulated, protecting his entire body. The Ice Soul Frost Sword shimmered with azure light, which was the starting gesture of the Lingxiao Sword Technique—"The Clouds Rise at Sunset Pavilion."

Volume Nineteen, The Hunting Ceremony, Chapter Seven: The Seven Heroes' Cruel Defeat.

Jiang Chongwei gave a wink, and Liu Haiyan and Li Xuegan, wielding their iron pipa and three-fold staff respectively, swept towards Ren Xiaoyao. The rest of the group raised their weapons and launched a fierce attack on Long Feiyun. They knew Ren Xiaoyao's lightness skill was superb and that they wouldn't be able to harm him in a short time. They were determined to deal with Long Feiyun first—the Seven Heroes of Jiangning were wrong, terribly wrong.
Long Feiyun roared, straightened his back, and became incomparably imposing and confident. His longsword drew a perfect arc with circles and spins. The fierce attacks of Jiang Chongwei, Yao Weihua, Deng Liangsong, Su Dongzhuang, and Liang Xinlai, which were like shadows and raging waves, vanished without a trace, becoming mere formalities lacking any real threat. This move, "Midnight Stars," originates from the Celestial Pole Sect's ultimate technique, the Nebula Swordplay. It's said to utilize the transformations of the Twenty-Eight Constellations to counter all extraordinary moves in the world. Long Feiyun has practiced it diligently for years, and his skill is now almost on par with his father's. Let alone
fighting five opponents, even if all seven Jiang Ning heroes attacked together, they wouldn't be able to harm him in the slightest. Jiang Chongwei was greatly alarmed, but he was caught in a dilemma. He could only urge his brothers to launch a fierce attack, denying Long Feiyun any opportunity. A faint, cold smile appeared on Long Feiyun's lips. In a flash, he unleashed three consecutive thrusts, forcing Yao Weihua, Su Dongzhuang, and Liang Xinlai to retreat. Then, he gathered his inner energy, leaped into the air, and with a somersault, kicked out with both feet, dodging Jiang Chongwei's Sky-Supporting Fork and striking Deng Liangsong's Crescent Shovel without missing a beat.
A simple kick carried the force of a thousand charging troops. Deng Liangsong felt a violent tremor in his hand, his crescent shovel nearly flying out of his grasp, and his momentum vanished instantly.
Long Feiyun pressed his advantage, attacking without defending. His longsword, swift as lightning, thrust straight at Deng Liangsong's face, covering an area of several feet. Jiang Chongwei, Yao Weihua, and the others, though eager to help, were powerless to do so.
With his back to the tree, Deng Liangsong had nowhere to retreat, nowhere to dodge, and dared not use his weapon to block. Just as he was about to use a mangy dog's pounce to roll to the side, he suddenly saw a flash of cold light before his eyes. Long Feiyun's longsword suddenly accelerated, instantly attacking his face. In shock, he struggled to raise his shovel to block, and with a loud "clang!", his chest felt as if struck by lightning. He staggered back several steps before regaining his footing, spitting out a mouthful of blood. What had been an impenetrable formation had suddenly revealed a flaw that should never have been exposed.
Long Feiyun sneered, "The Seven Heroes of Jiangning have committed suicide; today I will make you pay the price." As soon as he finished speaking, Jiang Chongwei and Liang Xinlai suddenly saw a flash of green before their eyes, a burst of sword light, and a torrent of energy rushing towards them. Terrified, they retreated hastily. Yao Weihua and Su Dongzhuang rushed to their aid, but Long Feiyun, quick as lightning, spun in mid-air, dodging the attack. His left palm struck out from a distance, sending Yao Weihua flying. His right hand, holding a longsword to his chest, cleaved Su Dongzhuang, along with his hooked staff, flying backward, dead before even hitting the ground.
These two moves were unpredictable and full of unexpected twists, utterly baffling. Liang Xinlai, shocked, could no longer hold his weapon steady; the Yin-Yang Sharp sword slipped from his grasp and fell to the ground, leaving him powerless to retaliate.
Long Feiyun shouted repeatedly, wielding his sword like the wind, creating a circle of yellow light that swept Jiang Chongwei and Yao Weihua away, leaving them scrambling to defend themselves. Suddenly, he flashed to Deng Liangsong's side, exerted his strength, and with a swift thrust of his longsword, blood splattered as it pierced through Deng's chest. Deng Liangsong let out a shrill scream, staggered back a few steps, fell to the ground, twitched a few times, and then lay still.
Jiang Chongwei, Yao Weihua, and Liang Xinlai were all terrified. Before the operation, they were full of confidence, but who would have thought that Long Feiyun's martial arts skills were far beyond their imagination? Not only were their formations, which they had studied for many years, broken, but in just a few exchanges, two of their brothers had died—no, four. When Deng Liangsong died, Liu Haiyan and Li Xuegan panicked, and their moves were full of flaws. Ren Xiaoyao seized the opportunity and used the "I will never regret it even if my clothes become looser" move out of thin air to block Liu Haiyan's way. He then followed up with the "I am affectionate but I am indifferent" move. The sword contained a sharp and unparalleled energy, and it did not care that his weapon was not easy to cut. He cut Liu Haiyan and the iron pipa into four pieces. Li Xuegan was about to snipe from the side when he suddenly saw his third brother die on the spot. His mind went blank, and the momentum of his three-fold staff slowed down. Ren Xiaoyao sneered and struck Li Xuegan in the chest with his left hand, hitting him in the lower abdomen. The shock made him bleed from his seven orifices and die on the spot.
Those who stray from the righteous path and throw themselves into a deadly fight deserve to die!
Ye Zhi Qiu rushed forward, his longsword sweeping towards Yao Wei Hua's shoulder with unstoppable force. At the same time, he braced his left foot, aiming for Liang Xin Lai's waist. Jiang Chong Wei, a seasoned veteran of the martial world, knew that even if he rushed to the rescue, he could only help the two brothers hold on for a little longer.
So, he decided to fight to the death, flashing behind Ye Zhi Qiu. His Sky-Supporting Fork transformed into an angry dragon, shooting upwards to stab Ye Zhi Qiu in the back. Little did he know that Ye Zhi Qiu was deliberately luring him into an attack. The Star Moon Sword Technique quickly changed, transforming the thrust into a back slash, as powerful as a raging sea, flashing like thunder, meeting Jiang Chong Wei with lightning speed. It was the move "Radiant Starry Sky."
Caught off guard, Jiang Chong Wei not only missed his opponent with the Sky-Supporting Fork, but was also struck in the ribs by Ye Zhi Qiu. He screamed and fell to the side, crashing to the ground with a thud. After struggling three or four times, he lay still.
Seeing their elder brother on the verge of death, Yao Weihua and Liang Xinlai lost all will to fight. Before they could even retract their attacks to defend themselves, Ren Xiaoyao had already swooped down, his sword flashing like the wind, faster than lightning, instantly killing the two.
Ren Xiaoyao and Long Feiyun joined forces in the attack, and the once-famous Seven Heroes of Jiangning disappeared from the martial arts world. This was the heavy price paid for betraying their cause and surrendering to the enemy!
Long Feiyun laughed heartily, took out a silk handkerchief, and leisurely wiped the blood off his sword, saying nonchalantly, "Young Master Ren, you're not very kind. Yao Weihua and Liang Xinlai fought me for a long time, but in the end, you killed them. How do you plan to settle this score?" Despite his deliberate joking, he was actually focused entirely on the second ambush hidden in the forest, estimating how many enemies there were and how to deal with them. Ren Xiaoyao felt the
same way. Focusing his gaze, he coldly said, "The Seven Heroes of Jiangning are not worth mourning. Why let such scum ruin our harmony... Sigh, I really hope another group of assassins appears out of nowhere. I promise I won't steal from them."
Several heavy breaths came from the woods. Long Feiyun chuckled inwardly and shouted irritably, "If you won't steal from me, I will! Humph, I, Long Feiyun, have already let others take advantage of me before."
Ren Xiaoyao suppressed a laugh and muttered, "Don't take your anger out on me. If we really encounter assassins again, you can just be more ruthless... Ah, still not enough? Fine, fine, at most I'll leave them a breath so you can slowly torment them."
The breathing from the woods became even more rapid.
Long Feiyun gave Ren Xiaoyao an approving look, as if to say, "You came up with that idea!" and clapped his hands. "Good idea! They're the ones who disturbed my hunting pleasure. But it would be a waste to kill them one by one. Let's take them back to the main altar and slowly torture them."
Ren Xiaoyao put on airs and said, "I heard your sect has thirty-six sets of tortures. So far, no one has been able to endure the first twenty. I wonder if the assassins sent by Juesha can withstand them?"
Long Feiyun frowned and said, "Alas, that's hard to say. Liang Xu, the leader of the Lianghu Gang who once dominated the five southeastern provinces—the one known as the 'Vajra Protector' who was said to be 'invulnerable to knives and spears'—could only endure the twentieth set before dying. I heard that they've recruited many top experts. I think they should be able to handle the twenty-one sets without any problem."
Lin Zilin's retreating footsteps sounded, and they couldn't stop.
Ren Xiaoyao raised the Ice Soul Frost Sword high above his head, his chest heaving with energy, and roared to the sky, "Stop hiding! You lackeys of Juesha, come out and face your death!" (

Chapter 8, The Terrifying Scene of the Hunting Ceremony, Volume 19)

Thirty-six masked assassins, wielding various weapons, surged out from all directions, instantly trapping the two in the center. Their initial vigor had been almost completely worn down by Ren Xiaoyao and Long Feiyun's deliberate words. They had the aura of a large encirclement, but no fighting spirit or will to kill. If it weren't for Hentian's strict discipline, which ensured that anyone who deserted would be killed without mercy, they would probably have already fled.
Ren Xiaoyao smiled slightly, clearly not taking his opponents seriously, and asked with interest, "Master Long, what is the origin of this group?"
Long Feiyun remained calm and composed, casually replying, "Hehe, Young Hero Ren's eyesight is quite impressive. Why don't you guess?"
Ren Xiaoyao glanced at the assassins a few times and said in a deep voice, "I can't be sure about the others, but I know at least they are definitely not from the Central Plains."
Long Feiyun smiled happily, "That's right, they are from the Western Regions, known as the Northern Desert Eagles, specializing in robbing merchants traveling between Song, Liao, Western Xia, and Tubo. They suddenly disappeared in recent years; it turns out they were recruited by Juesha."
While gathering his internal energy, preparing to strike at any moment, Ren Xiaoyao asked, "..." "Compared to those seven dead ghosts, these...the Northern Desert Eagles, right? Won't they be a bit more difficult to deal with?"
Long Feiyun calmly smiled and said, "In terms of individual cultivation, they are certainly not as good as the Seven Sons of Jiangning, but if they swarm together, they are indeed much stronger than the Seven Sons of Jiangning. The unique ferocity and bravery of the Liao people goes without saying, plus the super perseverance they have honed in the Hanhai Desert, they can fight for a day and a night without feeling tired, their stamina is truly long-lasting."
Ren Xiaoyao coldly said, "Long-lasting stamina? I'm afraid they won't have a chance to show it."
The leader of the Northern Desert Eagles could no longer bear it and shouted, "Brothers, kill! Cut them to pieces!"
The assassins swarmed forward, wielding swords, spears, and halberds, fighting relentlessly around the two, clearly using a human wave tactic.
Ren Xiaoyao and Long Feiyun stood back to back, fearlessly facing wave after wave of relentless attacks from their opponents. As expected, the Northern Eagles were well-prepared. The eighteen men surrounding Ren Xiaoyao wielded heavy weapons such as the Three Absolute Crutch, Crocodile Tail Scissors, Sun and Moon Double Wheels, Ring-Handled Saber, Dragon Staff, and Swastika Blade. Ren Xiaoyao possessed the peerless Ice Soul Frost Sword, yet he could not cut through even one of their weapons.
The black-clad assassins facing Long Feiyun were all highly skilled in martial arts, each wielding a crescent-shaped scimitar. The crescent-shaped scimitar originated from the Xiongnu tribe, is easy to use and is especially good at slashing. It was widely used in charging and killing during the Warring States period. Its disadvantage is that once the move is made, it is difficult to retract. In other words, if the user cannot injure the opponent with the first move, he is very likely to be taken advantage of by the opponent. The Nebula Sword Technique is known for its speed and ferocity. Against five or six people, it can be used to meet them head-on and forcefully break their offensive. Against eleven or twelve people, it can first use light footwork to avoid their sharp edge, and then use the difficulty of retracting the scimitar to launch a counterattack. Unfortunately, there were a total of eighteen assassins besieging Long Feiyun. They were divided into three groups of six people each, taking turns to attack from the left, center and right. Every move was aimed at Long Feiyun's vital points.
Long Feiyun secretly exclaimed in admiration, his longsword blocking and parrying, left and right, employing the exquisite footwork of the "Illusory Shadow" technique, using every trick in the book to deal with the relentless, fierce attacks of the Northern Desert Eagles, which were like a raging torrent.
Ren Xiaoyao, facing adversity, showed no sign of panic. He took a deep breath, entering a state of crystal-clear, all-encompassing inner peace, dodging left and right, using the superb movement of a flying immortal transforming into a feather, as swift as a swimming fish, to evade the countless enemy blades, and single-handedly charged into the formation.
The assassins roared in unison, their eighteen weapons slashing down. Ren Xiaoyao looked up to the sky and roared, his heroic spirit surging. He stepped forward with both feet, unleashing his full power to leap seven zhang into the air. From his high vantage point, he swung his sword fiercely, sweeping towards his enemies with lightning speed. Wherever his Ice Soul Frost Sword went, screams of agony filled the air, leaving behind a trail of corpses. Even in mid-air, his feet were not idle. During his seven leaps and bounds, he unleashed a series of lightning-fast kicks, seemingly imitating Xiaochen's Shadowless Kick. His kicks moved erratically, sometimes forward, sometimes backward, sometimes slow, sometimes fast, changing more than ten times in an instant, sending countless assassins and their weapons flying.
Long Feiyun, sensing his opportunity, roared and darted sideways, dodging six curved blades that were aimed at his chest. Instead of meeting them head-on, he rushed to the assassins' side, seizing one of the blades. Though his footwork was swift, he couldn't match Ren Xiaoyao's agility and speed. He managed to dodge the next five blades, but the sixth struck his shoulder. Fortunately, his inner energy protected him, leaving only a bloody gash and no serious injury.
This was the first time Long Feiyun had ever been cut since his debut. His anger, brimming, erupted suddenly. He parried with his sword in his right hand and attacked fiercely with his saber in his left. The clash of weapons was deafening, a dazzling and spectacular display. He wielded the Nebula Sword Technique with his curved saber, amplifying its power dramatically. The Northern Eagles had never seen such exquisite sword and saber techniques before. They were routed, their hearts filled with fear. Wherever the yellow light flashed, someone was struck and fell to the ground—the scene was utterly gruesome.
Ren Xiaoyao raised his Ice Soul Frost Sword and slashed down with lightning speed, cutting the seventeenth black-clad assassin in two. His left palm then conjured countless palm shadows, causing the eighteenth assassin to cough up blood and collapse dead.
When he turned to look at Long Feiyun, the latter was tearing off a piece of his clothing, expressionlessly bandaging a wound on his shoulder, with eighteen corpses lying beside him.
Ren Xiaoyao shook his head, took a deep breath, and said, "A little slower than you, sigh... I admit defeat." The Northern Desert Eagles were indeed far more powerful than the Seven Sons of Jiangning. Although he had escaped injury thanks to his superior lightness skill, he had already exhausted forty percent of his strength. If he didn't recover quickly, he feared he wouldn't be able to cope with the ensuing third wave of attacks.
Long Feiyun's hawk-like eyes flashed with a sharp light, fleeting in an instant. He smiled bitterly, "I was careless and got bleeded by Wuyan Guang. You're the one who won." Wuyan Guang, the leader of the Northern Desert Eagles, was now stabbed in the chest, ribs, and abdomen, his death gruesome. Clearly, Long Feiyun was retaliating in kind, giving him special treatment.
Ren Xiaoyao frowned deeply. Such vindictiveness was not the act of a true man; only women were so petty.
Long Feiyun spread his hands, seemingly to express apology, while glancing to the side, signaling Ren Xiaoyao to come with him, waiting for an opportunity to strike first and catch the third group of assassins hiding in the woods off guard.
Ren Xiaoyao immediately understood, feigning seriousness, "We're all brothers, who wins and who loses doesn't matter. Let's go, let's get out of the valley. With things like this, who has the heart to hunt?" With that, he walked towards the dense forest, seemingly casually.
Long Feiyun pretended to sheath his sword, but in reality, he secretly channeled his inner energy, following closely behind. He was ready to strike immediately if Ren Xiaoyao launched an attack, aiming for a fatal blow.
Both were meticulous, naturally avoiding revealing their weaknesses. Their pace slowed rather than quickened, as if they were returning in disappointment.
After a few steps, the Nine Dragon Jade Pendant at Ren Xiaoyao's waist suddenly slipped off. Long Feiyun quickly bent down to pick it up, whispering, "Young Master Ren, you dropped something." He then returned the pendant to him.
In the instant they passed each other, Ren Xiaoyao, with his back to the trees, whispered in a barely audible voice, "There's someone on the third maple tree on the left and the fifth elm tree on the right. I'll go first, you go behind, we'll flank and attack the one on the left." He then took the lead, slowly moving forward.
Suddenly, the chilling killing intent atop the maple trees vanished without a trace, and Ren Xiaoyao instantly lost his target.

Volume Nineteen, The Hunting Ceremony, Chapter Nine: The Twin Vultures of Qilian.

At first, Ren Xiaoyao thought it was a momentary lapse of judgment and turned to look at Long Feiyun. To his surprise, the latter was also looking at him with the same gaze. The two stared at each other, cold sweat beading on their foreheads.
Despite their meticulous planning, they had not only failed to launch a successful sneak attack but had also lost the initiative, falling into their opponent's trap.
They had been too arrogant and underestimated the power of the deadly strike.
Long Feiyun sensed danger as a sharp, piercing energy enveloped him.
A myriad of sword shadows shot out from the nearest tree trunk, striking horizontally and instantly trapping Long Feiyun within them.
Long Feiyun's mind raced. He swiftly used "Stars and Moon Intertwined" to defend himself. This move was majestic, combining offense and defense. Countless subsequent strikes resembled overlapping waves, each more powerful than the last, their angles and timing impeccably precise. In an instant, he shattered the opponent's sword shadows and launched a thunderous counterattack.
In an instant, a scene appeared that Long Feiyun could hardly believe.
From the dense canopy overhead—the very maple tree where the murderous aura had vanished—a grey-clad figure, completely shrouded in a cloak and with only his eyes visible, suddenly sprang forth. He wielded a thick-backed blade gleaming with a chilling light, unleashing a torrential downpour of pale, arrow-like energy, roughly two feet long. This immense, irresistible blade aura completely enveloped Long Feiyun, making him feel as if he were trapped in a dark, cramped space, unable to move an inch.
Even with Long Feiyun's exceptional cultivation, he was nearly scared out of his wits. The chilling wind this man unleashed was even more ferocious than that of the first assassin, and his techniques were bizarre, sophisticated, and perfectly executed.
Long Feiyun forcibly composed himself, quickly channeling all his inner strength to withdraw his sword and defend himself. If he could hold out for just a moment until Ren Xiaoyao arrived, he could easily overwhelm the combined attack from both sides.
In the nick of time, a fierce, raging killing intent surged from the left, emanating from the first assassin. Long Feiyun was shocked, realizing that his mind had been completely overwhelmed by the second assassin's earth-shattering blade light, and he had overlooked the first assassin—he was the real main attacker!
A wave of regret washed over Long Feiyun. If he hadn't hesitated and had fled for his life, he could have escaped this calamity. But now, attacked from both sides, he had little strength left to gather. How could he possibly withstand the black-clad assassin's fatal blow?
At this critical moment, the Ice Soul Frost Sword arrived with lightning speed, rising like a ghost, falling like a star, striking the blade light precisely.
With a clang, the blade light vanished completely. Long Feiyun seized the opportunity to retreat, narrowly avoiding the sword's attack, and landed steadily outside the woods.
Ren Xiaoyao finally had a chance to carefully observe the two men. The black-clad assassin wielding the knife had a broad back and rounded shoulders, and walked with a steady gait. He must be a master of hard skills. His black hair and cloak moved without wind, giving him an indescribable and eerie aura. The other man was physically strong, with a body like an iron tower. His eyes emitted an unprecedentedly cold and strange light, like a soul-reaping messenger who had walked from the void of the underworld into this real world, making people shudder.
The assassin glared at Ren Xiaoyao, a sinister smile creeping across his face. "As expected of the dashing thief, your attack was perfectly timed, expending not a single ounce of energy."
Before Ren Xiaoyao could speak, Long Feiyun sneered, "It's a pity your Qilian Twin Eagles' Crane Cry Nine Heavens Skill isn't up to par, otherwise even ten young heroes like Ren wouldn't be able to save me."
Ren Xiaoyao feigned surprise, saying, "So it's the two seniors, Liang Xu and Song Zhen! My apologies!" The Qilian Twin Eagles were renowned martial arts figures of the same era as Dugu Yu, with extremely high reputations in the underworld. There were rumors that they had passed away, but now it seemed to be a false rumor spread by Jue Sha.
Seeing his identity exposed, Liang Xu simply removed his black mask and shouted, "Others may fear you, Ren Xiaoyao, but I don't!" With that, he drew his knife and attacked, aiming straight for Ren Xiaoyao's throat.
Ren Xiaoyao stared at the blade's edge and coldly uttered, "You're still a bit lacking!" With a flick of his wrist, the Ice Soul Frost Sword instantly severed the first layer of Liang Xu's attacking blade energy. Then, it pierced through Liang Xu's chest, cutting through the second layer of blade energy. One sword strike followed another; for every layer of energy Liang Xu unleashed, Ren Xiaoyao broke through.
Liang Xu, a veteran of the underworld for fifty years, boasted that his swordsmanship ranked among the top three in the world. Coupled with the Wind Cold Blade, a treasure he acquired from the snowy mountains twenty years ago, he couldn't even slightly hinder Ren Xiaoyao's swordplay after several attacks. He became increasingly anxious and his attacks became even more ruthless.
Ren Xiaoyao, with his sharp eyes, had already discerned the essence of Liang Xu's swordsmanship within a few moves. He thought, "His swordsmanship is purely based on force and power, far inferior to the Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms. What is there to fear?" He immediately unleashed a combination of palm and sword techniques. With his left hand, he used "Only I Am Free and Unfettered" to strike Liang Xu's shoulder, while with his right hand, he used "Whose Jade Flute Hides a Secret Sound" to directly attack the Wind Cold Blade.
Liang Xu's attack failed, and suddenly a flash of sword light caused his Wind-Cold Blade to deflect. Startled, he hastily used the Eight Directions Hidden Blade Style, protecting an area of several feet without a leak. He thought, "A quick attack is difficult; I must adopt a defensive stance first and wait until Second Brother has dealt with Long Feiyun."
Song Zhen's longsword spun rapidly, its aura hissing. The clash of their weapons produced sharp, piercing sounds as he executed a series of exquisite, fluid strikes towards Long Feiyun. However, no matter how he changed angles, Long Feiyun seemed to anticipate all his moves, intercepting them preemptively.
Song Zhen, being a seasoned master, suddenly became agile and mysterious in his swordsmanship, a stark contrast to his previous fierce and relentless attacks.
Seeing his opponent unleash his soft power, Long Feiyun gradually diminished the power of the Nebula Sword Technique. Suddenly, his longsword flew back in a circle, sweeping across Song Zhen's waist. This move, "Stars Fall and Clouds Scatter," appeared superficially ethereal, but in reality, it was brimming with power. The sword tip trembled three times upon impact, delivering three layers of sword energy to attack the opponent. Upon initial contact with Song Zhen, his inner energy was unleashed at full force, each wave more violent and intense than the last, giving him no chance to breathe.
Even with his vast experience, Song Zhen was caught off guard by Long Feiyun's seemingly clumsy yet miraculous sword strike, and had no choice but to parry it. While Song Zhen's accumulated sixty years of cultivation was undoubtedly far superior to Long Feiyun's, his advanced age and weakened constitution, coupled with several hours of ambush in the forest, meant he could only unleash less than half his power. Unfortunately, Long Feiyun, having already endured two fierce battles, was also significantly weakened. Although he held a slight advantage, he had not yet defeated his opponent.
Song Zhen shuddered and moved aside, casually sweeping his sword towards Long Feiyun. The latter remained standing, his eyes suddenly flashing with coldness as a burst of sword light flashed, aiming for Song Zhen's throat. Song Zhen, being experienced, managed to parry with his sword, blocking the attack squarely. However, a chilling energy suddenly emerged from Long Feiyun's palm, rising along the edge of his hand to his fingertips, striking Song Zhen squarely between the eyebrows. Song Zhen felt a sharp pain in his eye, let out a miserable groan, and retreated hastily. In his haste, he didn't notice the slope behind him and nearly tumbled down, looking utterly disheveled.
At the same time, Ren Xiaoyao also leaped up, flying above Liang Xu's head. His Ice Soul Frost Sword flashed down, slashing fiercely at the back of the Wind-Cold Blade. Although the Wind-Cold Blade was a treasured weapon, how could it withstand the repeated blows of this peerless divine weapon in Ren Xiaoyao's hand? It instantly broke into seven or eight pieces. Liang Xu coughed up blood, his entire body spinning wildly like a top, losing its balance, and tumbling to the ground.
As the saying goes, "Eliminate evil completely," and there was no need to show mercy to underworld figures like the Qilian Twin Eagles. Ren Xiaoyao and Long Feiyun, one with their swords, finished them off.
The storm seemed to have subsided, but no one knew that boundless killing intent still lurked in the dark night.

Volume 19, The Hunting Ceremony, Chapter 10: Identity Revealed.

Ren Xiaoyao rubbed his sore and numb arms and said in a deep voice, "Hentian has really gone all out this time. The Seven Sons of Jiangning and the Eagles of Mobei are one thing, but they've even brought out the Twin Eagles of Qilian to deal with us."
Long Feiyun said coldly, "So what if they're the Twin Eagles of Qilian? Just because they can dominate the underworld doesn't mean they can hurt you or me."
Ren Xiaoyao frowned and said, "There's no reason! Juesha has no reason to sacrifice a large number of elite troops for nothing, unless..."
Long Feiyun interrupted, "Unless they want to capture me to exchange for the Five Great Assassins, but Hentian has neither Burning Sun, Absolute Moon, Soul Stealer, Life Chaser, nor Soul-Slaying to deploy, nor is it as familiar with the terrain of Xishou Mountain as I am, plus Brother Ren..." "With your strong support, his evil schemes will not succeed."
Ren Xiaoyao looked around and said solemnly, "From deliberately using wolves to surround you to arranging three attacks in succession, it's impossible to plan so meticulously without a long period of preparation and rehearsal."
Long Feiyun nodded and said, "That's right. Xishou Mountain is a hunting ground exclusively for our sect. Ordinary people are not allowed to enter. I think there are still spies from Juesha's schemes hidden within the sect, and they are very likely among the Longxiang and Huyi armies, which are responsible for this defense."
Ren Xiaoyao said in a deep voice, "Perhaps we can find some clues from their corpses." After saying that, he bent down and began to examine the Qilian Twin Vultures one by one. Long Feiyun was naturally not idle either.
The two searched back and forth, and apart from a few pieces of the Annihilation Token, there was nothing else. The only remaining thing was the corpses of the Seven Sons of Jiangning ten feet away. Holding onto the last glimmer of hope, Long Feiyun slowly stepped forward. As long as he found some clues, he would surely be able to see through all of Juesha's conspiracies with his wisdom.
Suddenly, the bright moon disappeared behind the clouds, and the surroundings instantly darkened. Long Feiyun rubbed his eyes, seemingly unaccustomed to the change in environment. Suddenly, Jiang Chongwei's corpse sprang up, and a gleaming, sharp cone shot from his palm, accompanied by a fierce and suffocating burst of true energy, striking Long Feiyun's chest with lightning speed.
The attack surged like a raging torrent, flashed like a ghost, and Jiang Chongwei's sudden attack was filled with the boundless explosive power of heaven and earth.
It wasn't that Long Feiyun lacked the ability to block, but rather that everything happened too strangely. Who could have imagined that a lifeless corpse could suddenly come back to life, choosing the moment when Long Feiyun was most careless, most relaxed, and least prepared?
Long Feiyun inwardly cried out, "Heaven has forsaken me!" He watched helplessly as the sharp spike approached, unable to draw his sword to defend himself, and could only retreat with all his might.
The Heavenly Extreme Sect's Illusory Shadow of the Void was one of the three great lightness skills in the world. Although its leaps and bounds were not quite as swift as a flying immortal, they were still superior. Long Feiyun's lightness skill was slightly inferior to Ren Xiaoyao's, but he believed he could avoid Jiang Chongwei's vital points and prevent being pierced through the heart by the spike.
With a "whoosh!" Thousands of tiny sparks burst forth from Jiang Chongwei's sleeve, swirling towards Long Feiyun like a storm. These were none other than the infamous Rainstorm Pear Blossom Nails, a deadly poison feared by all in the martial world.
Long Feiyun was in despair. Each box contained seventy-two Rainstorm Pear Blossom Nails, each coated with a deadly poison that would kill instantly. A mere scratch would be fatal, if not fatal; and a piercing wound from the sharp point would render even a Great Immortal immortal helpless. At the
critical moment, Ren Xiaoyao arrived with lightning speed. He pressed Long Feiyun's shoulder with his left hand, pushing him aside, and hurled his Ice Soul Frost Sword forward with his right. Jiang Chongwei didn't even have time to utter a sound before it pierced his chest and abdomen, instantly killing him.
The attack was sudden, and Ren Xiaoyao couldn't control his strength, causing him and Long Feiyun to stumble back three or four zhang (approximately 10-13 meters). Just as their momentum was about to stop, they encountered a slope and tumbled uncontrollably downhill. Ren Xiaoyao, knowing Long Feiyun had an injury on his shoulder, reached out to press it down, but Long Feiyun blocked his way with an outstretched arm. As he fell, his chest landed squarely on Ren Xiaoyao's hand.
Full, soft, and smooth, based on his experience with women, Ren Xiaoyao clearly felt that he was not touching a man's chest, but… a woman's breasts.
Long Feiyun seemed to realize something, jerking up as if electrocuted and stepping aside.
His strange reaction further aroused Ren Xiaoyao's suspicion, who blurted out, "You…you're a woman?"
Long Feiyun paused for a moment, then scolded in a low voice, "Nonsense, I…" He stopped abruptly, lowering his head in silence.
Ren Xiaoyao suppressed his astonishment and said in a deep voice, "Stop hiding it. I trust my feelings. You, Long Feiyun, are a woman through and through!"
Long Feiyun's pretty face flushed slightly, and she stammered, "You're something else. You…what are you going to do about it?" At this moment, she was extremely nervous, a far cry from her usual calm and composed self.
Ren Xiaoyao scrutinized Long Feiyun with intense eyes, saying slowly and deliberately, "I just want to know why you lied to me, why you disguised yourself as a man?"
Long Feiyun took a deep breath, as if to calm the tension caused by her identity being exposed, and said solemnly, "Not only you, but my second brother, third brother, and Sister Liu all don't know I'm a woman, and even my uncles have been kept in the dark... As for the reason I disguised myself as a man, it's very simple. My father wanted me to inherit the great cause of the Heavenly Extreme Sect, so he raised me as a son from childhood."
Ren Xiaoyao was stunned and said, "You mean..."
Long Feiyun waved her hand to interrupt, "The only ones who know the truth are the current emperor, my father, my mother, and the midwife who delivered me. My mother was weak after childbirth and soon passed away. The midwife passed away five years ago, so you are the third... the third..." Her voice trailed off as she spoke.
Ren Xiaoyao pressed on, "Yun'er is the real you, isn't she? No wonder I couldn't find a single flaw at the Five Blessings Teahouse that day; I saw your true face, you weren't disguised at all."
Long Feiyun sighed softly, "If I hadn't resorted to this tactic, how could I have defeated you?"
A fleeting look of shock crossed Ren Xiaoyao's face as he raised his tiger-like eyes, staring intently at Long Feiyun. The latter's usually limpid eyes immediately became deep and unfathomable, veiled in a melancholy mist.
Their gazes met, drawn together like magnets, unable to shift even an inch. Their initial surprise was instantly replaced by an overwhelming sense of warmth. Though separated by several feet, their hearts were one, without any distance between them.
Neither knew what would happen next.

Volume 19, Chapter 11: A Moment of Terror at the Hunting Ceremony.

A tidal wave of emotion surged within Ren Xiaoyao. From the moment he saw Yun'er, he had repeatedly thought that it would be a waste not to take such a stunning beauty as his own. However, due to Long Feiyun's prior relationship with her, he had refrained from taking further action. In truth, he had long sighed, "If I had come to Xunfeng City upon arriving in the Central Plains, I might have been able to get there first." Later, upon learning that Yun'er was Long Feiyun in disguise, he lamented, "My passionate feelings were all for naught; in the end, it was all just a mirage. What a pity!" Now, discovering that they were the same person, he was even more moved. In the entire world, there was no one else besides Long Feiyun whom Ren Xiaoyao truly admired. If she were by his side, accompanying him on his adventures in the martial world, what more could he ask for in life? Thinking of this, a burning emotion welled up within Ren Xiaoyao, a warm current of joy and happiness flowing through every vein in his body.
Long Feiyun was also filled with thoughts. She had been disguised as a man for eighteen years under her father's orders, living the same life as any ordinary young man. However, the longing and yearning for love that lay deep in her heart had never faded. Long Yinxiao was determined to cultivate her into his future successor. He not only personally taught her martial arts but also spent a lot of money to hire famous teachers to instruct her. In addition, Long Feiyun was naturally knowledgeable and had a remarkable memory. Over the past ten years, she had truly mastered both literature and martial arts and was proficient in all six arts. She no longer cared about the so-called "young talents" in the school. If she hadn't met her destined nemesis, Ren Xiaoyao, perhaps Long Feiyun would have lived a uneventful life under the role arranged by her father. However, it was Ren Xiaoyao's elegant and unrestrained speech, extraordinary temperament, and gentle and refined manners that completely moved her, making her feel for the first time the wonderful feeling of wanting to stay with him and compose a love song together. Before her identity was revealed, Long Feiyun could barely suppress her emotions. Now that they were completely open with each other, all her other feelings vanished instantly, leaving only boundless tenderness and love.
The world spun around her; Long Feiyun could no longer contain her passion. She moved closer and closer to Ren Xiaoyao, feeling happiness drawing ever nearer. She gazed at him intently, returning his burning gaze.
"Hahaha—hahaha—" Ren Xiaoyao suddenly burst into laughter, panting heavily, "What a waste…what a waste that Miss Liu is so devoted to you, what a waste that my senior sister secretly loves you, all this time, it turns out to be a fake phoenix…" He almost blurted out "fake phoenix and false dragon," but thankfully stopped himself in time. He thought to himself: Long Feiyun's allure is truly not to be underestimated. Luckily, I have exceptional self-control, otherwise I would have almost lost control.
Long Feiyun, realizing her lapse in composure, blushed slightly but quickly regained her composure, saying in a deep voice, "Whether it's Qianyun or Miss Meng, I hope Young Hero Ren can keep this secret and not tell a fourth person."
Ren Xiaoyao nodded, still captivated by Long Feiyun's dashing and beautiful appearance, and said in a deep voice, "Could it be that Hall Master Long is interrupting her life of disguise as a man?" His words were tinged with regret.
Long Feiyun's delicate body trembled slightly as she muttered to herself, "My father and I made an agreement that if he finds a more suitable successor than me, he will allow me to resume my female identity and will never interfere in my life again."
Ren Xiaoyao sighed deeply, saying urgently, "How long do you want to wait? Five years? Ten years? Although Qin Xiang and Zhang Feng are young and promising, they are by no means the best candidates to entrust your sect's great cause. The children of the four Hall Masters, Liu, Zhu, Liu, and Qin, are all young, and even when they grow up, they may not be of great use. As for..."
Long Feiyun slowly shook her head and asked in return, "Does Young Hero Ren think I am willing?" Waiting? Watching my youth fade, watching time slip away, watching others pursue their own true love, watching couples finally get married, while I must keep my promise and remain a man. My beloved is right in front of me, yet I cannot make any move. Although we are often alone together, yet…” At this point, she stopped speaking, her clear and bright eyes instantly replaced by endless pain. She knew very well that, in her current state, a happy life was still a distant dream.
Ren Xiaoyao knew perfectly well that the person Long Feiyun was referring to was himself. He wanted to step forward and offer some words of comfort, but feared that a single wrong word would plunge her even deeper into her love, making it impossible for her to extricate herself. He stood there blankly for a long time, unable to react.
Long Feiyun looked up at the starry sky and murmured, "Young Master Ren asked me to pretend to be in love with Sister Liu. At first, I was determined not to agree, but then I thought that this could motivate my second and third brothers to strive harder, so I did as he asked."
Ren Xiaoyao's eyes shone, and he frowned, saying, "Qin Xiang and Zhang Feng have limited talent. If your sect is led by them, maintaining the status quo will be more than enough, but making progress will be extremely difficult."
Long Feiyun sighed deeply, "Alas, Brother Ren, I know what you mean. Several months ago, I suggested that Father recruit a group of talented young people from the martial arts world to join our sect, and choose one of them to replace me. But after thinking it over, I found no suitable candidate other than your Four Heroes of the Martial Arts World. However, Chief Xiong and Chief Ye are already leaders in their respective regions, and Xiao..." "Young hero, you too will inherit the leadership of the Mount Tai Sect in the future. The only one left... the only one left is you, but... but you rejected your father's proposal."
Ren Xiaoyao smiled bitterly, "Back then, how could I have known the intricacies..."
Long Feiyun's beautiful eyes shot out a burning, alluring light as she impatiently pressed, "And now? Do you agree?"
Ren Xiaoyao was slightly taken aback, and frankly admitted, "I know nothing about your sect's affairs, and besides..."
Long Feiyun interrupted him again, speaking softly and seemingly unintentionally, "With my help, what are you afraid of?"
Ren Xiaoyao's body trembled violently. Long Feiyun's words were tantamount to a public declaration of love. If he nodded, not only would he win the heart of the beauty, but a hundred years later, the position of sect leader would also be his. What did this mean? Inheriting his father-in-law's title, being granted land and becoming a king, ascending the altar to be appointed general, controlling an army of 100,000, becoming a powerful figure in the martial arts world, power, beauty, wealth, and influence—the four things men crave most—all within his grasp. More importantly, he would possess unimaginable wealth, enough to wipe out the Asura Cult, maintain peace in the martial world, and even… even assist the imperial court in deterring the Liao Dynasty to the north, and intimidating the Tibetan, Western Xia, and Dali kingdoms to the west, bringing submission to all barbarians and making all nations pay homage. No one in the world would dare to covet the Song Dynasty or covet the Central Plains again.
The ambition to become a saint of heroes, the supreme ruler of the martial world—whether it could be realized rested entirely on a single thought!

Volume 19, The Hunting Ceremony, Chapter 12: Playing the Part.

For a long time… a long time…
Ren Xiaoyao's tiger-like eyes flashed with a sharp light, his proud posture upright, and he cupped his hands, saying, “Master Long's kindness is appreciated, but I absolutely cannot agree to join your sect.”
Long Feiyun never expected him to refuse, and said in a deep voice, “Can you give me a convincing reason?”
Ren Xiaoyao slowly nodded, and said naturally, “Don't laugh at me, Master Long, but I have indeed vowed to eliminate all the wicked and petty villains in the world and maintain the righteous path of the martial arts world, but I do not wish to rely on the power of your sect… Oh, it's not that I look down on your sect, but I feel that relying on others for help is really against my solitary style.”
Long Feiyun's eyes sharpened, staring at Ren Xiaoyao, and said, “Young Hero Ren, you are mistaken. The so-called heroes are created by the times, and the times create heroes. In the past, Emperor Taizu initially established…” The original intention of the sect was to act on behalf of Heaven and punish corrupt officials. Later, it met Emperor Shizong of Later Zhou, Chai Rong, and embarked on its official career. After Chai Rong's death, his son, Chai Zongxun, succeeded him. Chai Zongxun was incompetent and appointed treacherous officials. Although Emperor Taizu (Chai Rong's father) had the will to restore the dynasty, he was ashamed to rely on the power of Later Zhou. Despite repeated advice from his subordinates, he refused to depose the emperor and establish himself as emperor. Forced into a corner, elders of the sect, including Zhao Pu, Gao Huaide, Shi Shouxin, and Wang Shenqi, launched a coup at Chenqiao Post Station, forcibly enthroning Taizu… You probably know what happened next. Taizu, with the sect's army and in coordination with Later Zhou forces, successively conquered Jingnan, Later Shu, Southern Han, and Southern Tang. After the current emperor ascended the throne, he continued to pacify Wuyue and Northern Han, finally completing the great achievement of unifying the Central Plains. Imagine if Emperor Taizu had been like you, possessing lofty ambitions but adhering to his personal principles and refusing to rely on external forces—how could the vast territory of the Song Dynasty have existed? "How can there be peace and prosperity under heaven?"
Ren Xiaoyao was instantly sobered up as if doused with cold water, and exclaimed, "Master Long's words are like a wake-up call, I am enlightened and regret my past actions."
Long Feiyun was overjoyed and said, "So, Young Hero Ren agrees?"
Ren Xiaoyao blinked mischievously and chuckled, "No, I cannot join your sect for the time being."
Long Feiyun asked anxiously, "Why?"
Ren Xiaoyao pretended to be serious and said, "Because I am not confident that I can do better than you."
Long Feiyun smiled and said, "Is that all?"
Ren Xiaoyao knew he couldn't hide it from him, and said softly, "As the saying goes, 'Women are not inferior to men,' but I want the world to know that 'Women are not inferior to men.' Before I prove that I am better than you, I will not agree to your proposal, otherwise how can I face the 100,000 brothers of your sect?"
Long Feiyun's beautiful eyes lit up with a strange light, and she softened her gaze. "Young Master Ren, how do you intend to prove it?"
Ren Xiaoyao smiled and said, "We had a 1-1 record in our previous contest. I originally intended to settle things during the hunt, but Jue Sha interfered. I think we should ask Hall Master Long to set the rules another day, and we can have a fair and square rematch. If Hall Master Long is defeated, I will immediately join your sect and never go back on my word."
Long Feiyun gave him a deep look and said indifferently, "Aren't you afraid I'll deliberately
let you win?" Ren Xiaoyao stepped forward slightly, almost touching Long Feiyun's delicate face, and said with a smile, "I know very well what kind of person Hall Master Long is. No matter the reason, you will never betray your competitive nature."
Long Feiyun's eyes suddenly became complicated, as if containing countless emotions that had been hidden deep within her heart. After standing there for a moment, she said leisurely, "Alright, once I've figured out how to have the match, I will definitely send someone to inform Young Master Ren." "
Woo-woo-woo" The horn sounded, signaling the end of the evening hunt.
Long Feiyun pondered for a moment, her beautiful eyes sparkling, and suddenly said, "Since you know everything, don't call me 'Hall Master Long' anymore. Just call me Feiyun... Fei is the 'Fei' of 'fine rain,' and Yun is the 'Yun' of 'all living beings.' Please... please don't get it wrong."
Ren Xiaoyao revealed his charming nature, shaking his head and praising the brilliance of the name "Long Feiyun" until Long Feiyun's pretty face flushed and her cheeks turned red.
※ ※ ※ ※ ※
After leaving Xishou Mountain, Long Feiyun immediately regained her former radiant and composed demeanor, so calm that Ren Xiaoyao almost doubted whether what had happened in the forest was real.
Following the pre-arranged strategy, Ren Xiaoyao won first place by a narrow margin of two more ears, eliciting jubilation from the entire arena. Nangong Fengyi, Nangong Fengzi, Shui Furong, and Lin Yuxiu were all overjoyed, especially the latter two women, whose hands turned red from clapping, their pretty faces glowing with delight.
Ren Xiaoyao received the red brocade battle robe from Long Yinxiao, carefully draping it over his shoulders. He spurred his horse and rode around the archery range several times, receiving congratulations from the crowd. All three thousand participants cheered loudly, their expressions of admiration evident. On the stage, Long Yinxiao, Qin Huaiyu, Zhang Jinghong, and several high-ranking officials from the court who had come to observe the ceremony nodded repeatedly, offering praise or commentary.
To avoid causing chaos, the two did not publicly recount the attack. Unable to find an opportunity to inform Long Yinxiao, Long Feiyun, in desperation, secretly dispatched Qin Xiang and Zhang Feng, each leading five hundred followers, into the mountains to investigate. She herself sat atop the slope, observing from afar, fearing that if the assassination attempt failed, there might be a larger-scale operation.
Her departure was not a problem, but it resulted in hundreds of beautiful young women from the Heroines' Army crowding around Ren Xiaoyao, who had just dismounted. He barely had time to react before being engulfed in a sea of cosmetics. The scene was spectacular; countless red flowers, like willow catkins in early spring or snow falling in December, were hurled at him. Normally, Ren Xiaoyao could easily blend into the crowd using his Flying Immortal Transformation technique. However, with the surroundings brightly lit and him wearing a unique red brocade battle robe, taking it off would be disrespectful to the Heavenly Extreme Sect, but not taking it off meant he would be instantly recognized by the women.
Nangong Fengzi and Lin Yuxiu were overjoyed to see their beloved Ren Xiaoyao so popular. Even Nangong Fengyi was amused by Ren Xiaoyao's bewildered and clueless demeanor, laughing uproariously. Only Shui Furong, used to being jealous, was so angry that she jumped up and down, scolding him in a fit of rage, "You...you idiot, flirting with other girls right in front of me!"
Nangong Fengyi chuckled and said softly, "Third sister, you know how Xiaoyao feels about us, why get upset? It's not surprising for men to have occasional flirtations."
Shui Furong puffed out her cheeks and said angrily, "I won't stand for it! I won't stand for it!" With that, she flicked her sleeves and ran towards the crowd without looking back, seemingly to settle scores with Ren Xiaoyao.

Volume Nineteen: The Thrilling Scene of the Hunting Ceremony, Chapter Thirteen: Seeking Beauty

and Pleasure. Shui Furong, pushing and shoving, finally squeezed her way to Ren Xiaoyao's side. Seeing countless girls surrounding him, some flattering him, others behaving coquettishly, all vying for his favor, Shui Furong was furious. Her delicate brows furrowed, and she scolded, "Vixen! You vixens, don't bother this idiot!"
Her inner strength far surpassed that of her peers, and her sharp tone startled the girls, who cried out in alarm. When they came to their senses and realized the voice belonged to the girl in purple, they all angrily retorted, "Who are you? What right do you have to interfere in our affairs?"
Shui Furong blurted out, "I am his wife..." Remembering that although she and Ren Xiaoyao had been intimate, their relationship had never been formally established, she couldn't bring herself to say the word "wife," causing her beautiful, refined face to flush red.
The women, either relatives of prominent figures in the Heavenly Pole Sect or daughters of high-ranking officials attending the ceremony, were pampered and spoiled from childhood. They wouldn't tolerate being ordered around and immediately retorted, "Oh dear, pretending to be someone's wife, aren't you ashamed?" "That's right, no sense of shame at all!" "Shameless, shameless!" Their attention gradually shifted away from Ren Xiaoyao.
Shui Furong, her almond-shaped eyes wide with anger, roared, "Idiot, come here and explain yourself!"
Seeing that although she was pouting in a huff, her lively face was still captivating, Ren Xiaoyao's appetite was piqued. He rushed over like a gust of wind, quickly removing his red brocade cloak and draping it over Shui Furong's fragrant shoulders, his actions full of tenderness and affection, making the other women both envious and jealous.
Shui Furong's anger subsided, revealing a sweet and charming smile, and with a slightly coquettish expression, she said, "Idiot, you're so good to me." At the same time, she gave him a kiss, clearly demonstrating her power to the other women.
Ren Xiaoyao whispered in her ear, "I have important business to discuss with Brother Fei...Long. I'll leave things here to you."
Shui Furong, pleased by his cooperation, readily agreed, adding as she finished, "Remember to come back for your cloak tonight." Her voice was drawn out, ensuring every girl within a radius of several dozen feet could hear her clearly; her meaning was obvious.
Ren Xiaoyao chuckled, "Don't worry, I'll definitely be there." With that, he transformed into an arrow and vanished in an instant.
His departure caused even more commotion on the archery field, not because the women were embarrassed or angry, but because the men who had been pursuing them rushed to "snatch" the red flower after Ren Xiaoyao left.
Xiong Xiaotian, Ye Zhi Qiu, and Xiao Xingchen watched from afar, secretly lamenting the openness of the Tianji Sect, regardless of gender. Fortunately, their fourth brother had no intention of interfering; otherwise, more stories of his womanizing and philandering would have spread.
Ren
Xiaoyao, with his sharp eyes, soon spotted Long Feiyun sitting at the top of the slope. He quickly walked up behind her and asked with a smile, "Feiyun, what are you thinking about? Are you still worried that Juesha might have further conspiracies?"
Long Feiyun sighed softly and did not answer.
Ren Xiaoyao's curiosity was piqued, and he leaned closer to look. He saw that Long Feiyun was holding a bright red flower in her hand. He was both amused and exasperated and asked softly, "This... which one is this?"
Long Feiyun turned her head and gave Ren Xiaoyao a disapproving look. She smiled bitterly and said, "I've been hiding since the hunt started. I managed to hold out until the evening hunt without being caught by them. I was hoping to spend the last few hours on this deserted hilltop, but... sigh, just now Qianyun came up to find me and... she even gave me her red flower." She sighed repeatedly as she spoke, clearly worried about how to deal with the situation later.
Ren Xiaoyao teased, "I didn't see wrong, did I? Even the brilliant Fei Yun is at a loss."
Long Fei Yun glared at him fiercely, then scolded him slightly, "When I went to the inn to ask you for advice, I told you I knew nothing about matters of love between men and women. You...you...don't laugh, don't laugh!" In front of Ren Xiaoyao, she actually acted like an ordinary girl, acting coquettishly—the charm of the "romantic thief" was indeed irresistible to any young girl in love.
Ren Xiaoyao saw that even though Long Fei Yun was dressed as a man, she still possessed a delicate and pitiful charm that was most likely to move the opposite sex. Especially when she spoke just now, she lost some of her usual strength, adding a touch of delicate and pitiful beauty. He was stunned for a moment, and for the first time, he felt an urge to pull her into his arms and gently kiss her cherry lips.
Long Feiyun blushed, her delicate body turning away in embarrassment. She stammered, "Stop it, hurry... hurry and help me think of something."
Ren Xiaoyao realized his lapse in composure and quickly composed himself, asking in a deep voice, "Where is Miss Liu's camp?"
Long Feiyun, unsure of his intentions, replied in surprise, "South of the royal tent, outside stands a purple brocade banner... um, and there are two willow branches stuck at the tent entrance."
Ren Xiaoyao pondered for a moment, then decisively said, "Easy. Whisper something in my ear."
Long Feiyun nodded repeatedly, a slight smile appearing on her lips, which then widened as she said sweetly, "You usually deal with the ladies like this."
Ren Xiaoyao almost blurted out, "I'll use this on you in the future," but thankfully he stopped himself, correcting himself, "As for me, if I don't want them to serve me in bed, I can easily come up with a whole bunch of reasons. But since your shoulder was scratched by Wuyan Guang, it's safer to pretend to be badly injured."
Long Feiyun thanked him repeatedly, cupped her hands in farewell, and took her leave.
Ren Xiaoyao, seeing the moon high in the sky, hurried to find Shui Furong. He found her leaning against a tent, seemingly deep in thought. He quietly approached from behind, suddenly embraced her, and whispered in her ear, "Baby, are you thinking about where we'll go for some fun later?"
Shui Furong, unable to resist, blushed deeply and cried out, "Nonsense...nonsense! I...I wasn't thinking anything!"
Ren Xiaoyao pressed, "Really? If you dare lie to me, I'll never speak to you again."
Shui Furong immediately turned bright red, shaking her head violently, "No...no! I...I admit it!"
Ren Xiaoyao, his heart burning with desire, whispered, "How about we try some outdoor adventures?"
Shui Furong was taken aback. "What kind of field combat?"
Ren Xiaoyao leaned close to her crystal-clear ear, gently touching her earlobe, and
said softly, "It's doing things in the tent in the wild, do you want to?" Shui Furong was stunned for a moment, then burst into his arms like a volcano, wrapping her jade hands around his neck, and said in a sweet voice, "Yes, let's go!"

Volume 20: Deceitful Schemes and a Path to Enlightenment Chapter 1: Field Combat

with Furong Ren Xiaoyao pulled Shui Furong and quietly bypassed the camp, arriving at a dense, lush forest. Perhaps influenced by the atmosphere of the hunt, Ren Xiaoyao was unwilling to miss any opportunity to get close to her. At first, he simply embraced Shui Furong's delicate body, constantly caressing her as they ran. When they were alone, his hands began to wander restlessly over her jade legs and plump buttocks.
Shui Furong's body was burning hot, her breath coming in soft gasps. She showed no resistance or displeasure, instead moaning and groaning with pleasure. Ren Xiaoyao, consumed by lust, forcefully pressed Shui Furong onto the grass, gently kissing her cherry lips, lightly nibbling at her tongue, and wantonly caressing her proud breasts. This caused Shui Furong to tremble all over, her cheeks flushed, and her beautiful eyes brimming with boundless spring-like desire.
Ren Xiaoyao, taking advantage of the situation, began kissing Shui Furong's eyes and face, then her neck and breasts. Shui Furong's eyelashes fluttered, her cherry lips slightly parted, an expression of waiting for her lover's tenderness.
Ren Xiaoyao reached out to untie Shui Furong's outer skirt, when suddenly a melodious "whoosh—whoosh—" sound reached his ears.
Shui Furong was terrified, her pretty face turning deathly pale. "There...there's someone!"
Ren Xiaoyao was slightly taken aback. Shui Furong pushed him away, standing up listlessly, seemingly quite frightened.
Ren Xiaoyao chuckled, "If there's someone within twenty feet, I can't possibly hide it from you. You're being too suspicious."
Shui Furong shook her head vehemently, refusing to believe him, insisting that her lover take her to see for himself.
Ren Xiaoyao couldn't persuade her otherwise, so he took Shui Furong's hand and led her into the forest.
After walking a hundred or so winding steps, a clear pool appeared ahead, reflecting the moonlight. The verdant pines and cypresses along the shore were faintly visible, serene and tranquil. The pool was crystal clear, surrounded by jagged rocks, like a natural bonsai, breathtakingly beautiful. Upon closer listening, they realized the sound they had just heard was the water crashing against the cracks in the rocks, crisp, melodious, and rhythmic, exceptionally soothing to the ear.
Ren Xiaoyao stepped closer to examine the pool and noticed a thin layer of mist floating on its surface. He was greatly surprised. Shui Furong had already eagerly reached into the pool to test the temperature, exclaiming excitedly, "Silly boy, it's a hot spring! It's a hot spring!"
Ren Xiaoyao laughed heartily, secretly marveling at how kind Heaven had been to him, hiding such a beautiful scene in the dense forest. He then recalled his passionate encounter with Nangong Fengyi at the bottom of Yunwu Valley, and his desire surged. When he came to his senses, he saw Shui Furong had already removed her outer garment and plunged into the hot spring. Although not completely naked, her short undergarments revealed glimpses of her flesh, igniting a burning desire within Ren Xiaoyao. He pulled off his robe and jumped into the water with a splash.
Shui Furong giggled, "Come on, come on, catch me!" and then swam away.
Ren Xiaoyao was indeed a skilled swimmer, but how could he compare to the rich experience that Shui Furong had accumulated over many years of pearl diving? He pounced on her several times but failed to touch her at all. His desire only grew stronger, and he gently scolded, "Stop fooling around, come here quickly."
Shui Furong's pretty face flushed slightly, and she spat out, "Fool, don't think I don't know what you're up to. If you don't catch me tonight, don't even think about... don't even think about me... keeping you company..." Her voice was barely audible as she said this.
Even if Ren Xiaoyao were completely refreshed, let alone before his strength had fully recovered, he would still have difficulty catching Shui Furong. He pondered how to make her submit, and in no time, he had a plan. He leaped out of the water, using his "Flying Immortal Transformation" technique to charge towards Shui Furong. Shui Furong knew his lightness skill was superb and that she couldn't dodge it. In her panic, she raised her hand and unleashed a powerful palm strike at Ren Xiaoyao's face. Ren Xiaoyao not only didn't dodge, but met the attack head-on. With a "bang," he was struck squarely by the palm wind, falling two or three zhang away and sinking into the water.
Shui Furong waited and waited, but Ren Xiaoyao didn't resurface. She panicked and swam quickly towards him, crying out in alarm, "Fool, where are you? Don't...don't scare me!" After calling for a long time without a reply, she took a deep breath and submerged herself, searching for Ren Xiaoyao's whereabouts.
Suddenly, she felt a sudden stop behind her; the ribbon of her undergarment had been untied, leaving her completely naked. Before she could cry out in surprise, Ren Xiaoyao had already embraced her from behind, whispering in her ear, "So what? I caught you."
Shui Furong's expression froze slightly, then her ears turned red, and she scolded, "You idiot, you...you big bad guy, you...you actually lied to me."
Ren Xiaoyao chuckled, "You were the one who tried to murder your husband first, so why are you blaming me?" He placed his hands on Shui Furong's perfectly toned abdomen and gently massaged it.
Shui Furong's breathing immediately became rapid, and she stammered, "You...what do you want?"
Ren Xiaoyao leaned close to Shui Furong's temple, gazing at her lustfully, and whispered, "Baby, what do you say?"
Shui Furong blushed deeply, saying shyly, "If you...if you bully me...I'll scream for help..." Her expression was coy, clearly hoping to be "bullied" by her lover.
Ren Xiaoyao caressed her fair, jade-like neck, lowering his voice to say, "Isn't it exciting and novel?" As he spoke, his "Lushan's hand" gradually moved upwards.
Shui Furong nodded shyly, her delicate body trembling as she pressed herself tightly against Ren Xiaoyao's chest, saying, "Fool...you..." Before she could finish speaking, her full, soft breasts were already in her lover's grasp.
Ren Xiaoyao turned her around, his passionate kisses landing on every inch of her skin. Perhaps because of the water's temperature, Shui Furong's body was hotter than usual, her alabaster skin flushed with a rosy blush. She offered her cherry lips, her tender tongue plunging deep into Ren Xiaoyao's mouth, entwining and swirling with his tongue.
The spring water rippled violently. Shui Furong, unable to contain herself, let out a moan as Ren Xiaoyao penetrated her. Her smooth, tender thighs, like vines, wrapped around Ren Xiaoyao's strong waist. The warm, lingering heat enveloped him tightly. Ren Xiaoyao thrust into her delicate body with all his might. Shui Furong's slender legs, wrapped around her lover's waist, twitched incessantly. Her body moved in rhythm with his thrusts, her eyes, like autumn waters, shimmering with passionate tears. She murmured softly, like a confession, like a plea, a soft, infatuated whisper.
Increasing pleasure washed over both of them. Their increasingly rapid breathing and Shui Furong's rising and falling moans, accompanied by the clear, melodious sound of the spring water, intertwined in the quiet mountain forest, creating a lingering, enchanting melody.
In the heat of Ren Xiaoyao's passion, Shui Furong bit his shoulder hard, letting out a low, uncontrollable moan. After a long while, she finally let out a long sigh, her body limp against her lover.
After their lovemaking, the two went to the table together. Shui Furong nestled quietly in Ren Xiaoyao's arms like a docile lamb, her pearly teeth gently biting her lip as she said, "Silly boy, when you have many more girls around you in the future, will you still come here with me?"
Ren Xiaoyao gazed at her fair, rosy cheeks and said tenderly, "If you're willing, I can stay in Xunfeng City forever, waiting for your summons."
Shui Furong understood Ren Xiaoyao's unspoken meaning and responded to his sweet words with a passionate kiss. Ren Xiaoyao's passion was instantly rekindled, and the lush green grass immediately became their battlefield of tender lovemaking.
At dawn, the two put on their dried clothes and walked out of the woods, arm in arm. Just as they reached the camp, they encountered Long Feiyun. Before Ren Xiaoyao could speak, Long Feiyun exclaimed, "Brother Ren, something terrible has happened!" (

Volume 20: Tricks and Schemes, Chapter 2: A Shocking Upheaval

) Seeing Long Feiyun's grave expression, which seemed genuine, Ren Xiaoyao quickly asked, "Hate Heaven Sect assassins attacked the camp?"
Long Feiyun shook her head but remained silent.
Ren Xiaoyao continued, "Has someone been ambushed by Jue Sha?"
Long Feiyun still shook her head, looking anxious as if she were about to jump up and down, her eyes constantly glancing at Shui Furong.
Ren Xiaoyao quickly dismissed Shui Furong and said in a deep voice, "Now you can speak."
Long Feiyun remained silent, then suddenly grabbed Ren Xiaoyao's left hand, dragging him away from the camp to a secluded valley. After looking around to make sure no one was around, she said, "Father... Father isn't Father."
Ren Xiaoyao was completely confused and asked in astonishment, "What did you say? Leader Long..."
Long Feiyun interrupted, "The one in the commander's tent isn't my father!"
Ren Xiaoyao seemed to understand a little and continued, "You said someone is impersonating Leader Long?"
Long Feiyun's expression turned solemn, and she slowly nodded.
Ren Xiaoyao looked astonished and said in a deep voice, "What did they do? Kidnapping? Assassination or..."
Long Feiyun said anxiously, "Oh dear, you still don't understand? I don't mean that someone impersonated Father and committed evil deeds last night, but that the Father sitting in the command tent was a fake."
Ren Xiaoyao exclaimed, "What? You...you're sure?"
Long Feiyun said solemnly, "Yes, I can guarantee it. This person has been impersonating Father since the hunt."
Ren Xiaoyao lowered his voice and said, "You saw through his disguise book?"
Long Feiyun shook her head and said, "No, his disguise is very sophisticated. I can't find any flaws yet."
Ren Xiaoyao asked in astonishment, "Then how do you know that the Dragon Sect Leader's identity is fake?"
Long Feiyun's pretty face flushed slightly as she whispered in his ear, "Last night you told me to pretend to be seriously injured to avoid meeting Sister Liu. Father... no, that guy and Uncle Liu found out and came to the tent to check on us. At first, I told him about the ambush at Xishou Mountain, and that guy immediately called Uncle Qin and Uncle Zhang to discuss countermeasures. At first, I was kept in the dark, but who would have thought that before leaving, he would make me unbutton my clothes, wanting to examine my wounds in public."
Ren Xiaoyao suddenly realized, his voice trembling, "The real Dragon Sect Leader knows you are a woman and would never let you undress in front of everyone, so..." "...So he definitely isn't the Dragon Cult Leader himself!"
Long Feiyun pondered for a long time, then slowly said, word by word, "If I'm not mistaken, Uncle Qin and Uncle Zhang are also imposters; only Uncle Liu should be the real one."
Ren Xiaoyao pressed, "How do you know?"
Long Feiyun continued, "I told that guy his wound was bandaged and insisted on not taking off his clothes. Although they tried their best to hide it, a hint of regret involuntarily showed on their faces."
Ren Xiaoyao asked blankly, "What does that prove? Perhaps the two vice-leaders care about you a lot, perhaps..."
Long Feiyun interrupted. He said, “I forgot to tell you, Wuyan Guang’s blade was poisoned. Because it didn’t penetrate deeply, I didn’t notice it at first. It wasn’t until I returned to camp that I felt a tingling, itchy sensation at the wound. I quickly used a cupping jar to draw out the poison and took a secret elixir, which saved me. I think the reason Uncle Qin and Uncle Zhang looked so regretful wasn’t out of concern, but because they couldn’t know the extent of my poisoning without seeing the wound.”
Ren Xiaoyao frowned and said, “Don’t you think this idea is a bit absurd?”
Long Feiyun retorted, “Absurd? I was afraid of wrongly accusing an innocent person, so I went to investigate. Guess what? The three of them…” Upon arriving at Xishou Mountain, Qin Xiang and Zhang Feng presented all the weapons they had collected for careful examination. When they found Wuyan Guang's bloodstained scimitar, he turned away and sneered repeatedly.
Ren Xiaoyao pondered for a long time, then solemnly said, "These two points alone are insufficient to conclude that the matter is related to Juesha. We need to investigate further before drawing a conclusion."
Long Feiyun decisively said, "Alright, I'll send someone to do it immediately."
Ren Xiaoyao urgently stopped her, saying, "Wait! If Sect Leader Long and Vice Sect Leaders Qin and Zhang have both fallen into Juesha's clutches, I doubt many of your people will believe you."
Long Fei... Yun smiled slightly, confidently saying, "I can't speak for others, but at least Qin Xiang, Zhang Feng... well, and Uncle Jing are still trustworthy."
Ren Xiaoyao said in a deep voice, "Qin Xiang and Zhang Feng are your subordinates and sworn brothers. If they were members of the Absolute Killer in disguise, they definitely wouldn't be able to fool you. But as far as I know, Commander Jing follows Master Long around all day and has no direct relationship with you. How can you determine whether he hasn't been bribed by the Absolute Killer or captured by them and had someone else impersonate him?"
Long Feiyun said confidently, "Remember when I threatened the Northern Desert Eagles, I said thirty..." "Six sets of tortures, right?"
Ren Xiaoyao nodded to indicate he remembered, then asked in surprise, "Didn't you just make that up?"
Long Feiyun said solemnly, "No, I said it's true, just a little exaggerated."
He paused for a moment, then continued, "When I said no one could withstand the first twenty sets, I was actually deceiving the Northern Eagles, because three years ago Uncle Jing had already tried all thirty-six sets of tortures... Of course, in the whole world, only he, with his combined Golden Bell Shield, Iron Shirt, and Thirteen Bodyguards' external training, could endure them. Uncle Jing had a habit of going to the torture chamber every day to endure several..." He couldn't eat or sleep. Just before the hunt began, I was busy interrogating Duo Hun and witnessed him undergoing the torture
of the "Paolao" (a form of torture involving burning pillars). You know, Paolao originated with King Zhou of Shang; charcoal was used to heat a copper pillar, forcing people to climb it. Even ordinary assassins, let alone Hen Tian and Gui Ming Shen Jun, couldn't withstand it.” Ren Xiaoyao focused his eyes and slowly said, “If this is true, it's far beyond our ability to resolve. It seems we'll have to borrow the men of our eldest, second, and third brothers again.”
Long Feiyun's beautiful eyes gleamed with wisdom as she suggested, “To avoid arousing suspicion…” "We can let Chief Xiong and the others lead their men away first, and then try to sneak back into the city later."
Ren Xiaoyao said with a wry smile, "That's true, but... if everything is true, the Beggars' Sect and the Thirteen Provinces Green Forest Alliance alone are far from enough."
Long Feiyun hummed in agreement and said solemnly, "I will find out the whole story within three days. If... if it's really as you and I have judged, I hope Brother Ren will find a way to inform Senior Dugu and Alliance Leader Liu, and ask them to secretly lead their men to help."
Ren Xiaoyao nodded in agreement, and after discussing many details with Long Feiyun, he returned to the camp.

Volume 20: Deceit and Schemes, Chapter 3: Using a Plan Against Them

When the two arrived, Qin Xiang and Zhang Feng were directing their soldiers to set up camp and break camp. Seeing their elder brother approaching, they hurriedly went to greet him and reported on the search last night. Upon receiving the report, Long Feiyun, being a remarkable person, pretended to know nothing and questioned them in detail from beginning to end, ensuring that no one would suspect anything.
Ren Xiaoyao, not wanting to interrupt, cupped his hands in farewell and was about to go find Xiong Xiaotian, Xiao Xingchen, and Ye Zhiqi to explain the situation to his three brothers when he was stopped by Shui Furong, who asked irritably, "Idiot, where did you and Hall Master Long go? You weren't even with her."
Ren Xiaoyao's eyes lit up with a sudden idea, and he lowered his voice, saying, "Last night, Brother Long practiced some trickery and finally managed to get Miss Liu's red flower, but he was injured and couldn't attend the meeting. Of course, he had to ask me, the expert, how to explain it to Miss Liu later."
Shui Furong immediately felt relieved and laughed, scolding, "What kind of bad idea have you come up with this time? Tell me quickly."
Ren Xiaoyao leaned closer mysteriously and whispered in her ear, "The idea is bad, of course, but... hehe, I won't tell you, I won't tell you!" A lazy, annoying smile immediately appeared on his lips.
Shui Furong roared and lunged forward, throwing a fierce punch. Ren Xiaoyao dodged, but Shui Furong wouldn't give up. She unleashed her Heaven-Defying Palm technique, sweeping it straight at him. Ren Xiaoyao sidestepped to avoid it, and the chase continued until they disappeared into the crowd.
Ren Xiaoyao, with his sharp eyes, kept an eye on his surroundings while playing with Shui Furong. He noticed that his eldest and third brothers were chatting with Long Yinxiao, while his second brother was nowhere to be seen. Knowing that approaching them would only arouse suspicion, he simply ran towards Nangong Fengyi, who was a little further away. After all, the four of them were staying at the same inn, so he wouldn't have to worry about not having a chance to explain.
Nangong Fengyi was chatting with Liu Qianyun when she suddenly saw her lover and her third sister rushing towards her, the latter shouting, "You stupid fool, you stinky fool, don't run away!" She quickly stepped between the two and gently scolded, "You two, all you do is fool around. Don't you see how many people are watching?"
She was gentle by nature and rarely showed anger, so her anger was entirely due to consideration for Ren Xiaoyao's reputation in front of the Tianji Sect. After all, the revelry of the previous night was over, and although Ren Xiaoyao had a reputation for being a playboy, he shouldn't have been openly fooling around with Shui Furong when everyone was doing their duties. Moreover, Xiong Xiaotian and Ye Zhi Qiu, who were also among the Four Heroes of the Martial World, were present. Compared to them, he would definitely be seen as indecent and dissolute.
Ren Xiaoyao, of course, knew what Nangong Fengyi was thinking. Filled with both pity and affection, he immediately stopped and earnestly apologized to her. His sincere tone and urgent words made Liu Qianyun, standing beside Nangong Fengyi, giggle. A murmur arose around them: "Look how good Young Hero Ren is to Miss Nangong!" "Wow, how sweet!" "I don't care, you have to treat me like this from now on!" Some praised, some envied, some sighed, and some were even jealous. This attracted Xiong Xiaotian and Ye Zhi Qiu to stop and watch, secretly sighing: Fourth Brother's influence is indeed extraordinary. They had long heard he was the lover of countless young girls, and today it seems even many young men are vying to emulate him. The title "Romantic Thief" is truly well-deserved, truly well-deserved!
Even with his thick skin, Ren Xiaoyao felt a little embarrassed. Just as he was about to stop, he caught sight of Long Yinxiao, Qin Huaiyu, and Zhang Jinghong walking side by side. He thought to himself, "I might as well pretend to be nonchalant, so this imposter Long Yinxiao won't be on my guard." So he said loudly, "Gentlemen, when dealing with a woman
you truly like, you should think of yourself as me: obedient and submissive. If she says one, it's one; if she says two, it's two. If she points east, you'll never go west; if she points..." Before he could finish, a busybody boldly asked, "What if one tells you to go east and the other to go west?"
Ren Xiaoyao froze on the spot, and whistles and shouts of encouragement immediately rang out, echoing throughout the valley.
The women of the Heroines' Army burst into laughter, pushing the four women—Nangong Fengyi, Nangong Fengzi, Shui Furong, and Lin Yuxiu—who were both angry, shy, happy, and anxious, towards Ren Xiaoyao's side, letting them watch how their lover would respond.
Ren Xiaoyao, being exceptionally clever, though his attempt backfired, quickly devised a plan. He walked past the four women with measured steps, then suddenly patted his chest and raised his head, saying, "On important matters, they always agree. On minor matters, they wouldn't dare tell me without prior discussion. This is called the art of controlling women, understand?"
The crowd remained skeptical, but Ren Xiaoyao deliberately put on a serious face and said loudly, "Fengyi, am I right?"
Nangong Fengyi, understanding and reasonable, naturally nodded in agreement. Knowing she was from a prestigious family and never lied, the crowd believed her completely, and the entire room erupted in praise.
Long Yinxiao approached Ren Xiaoyao and laughed loudly, "Young Master Ren, your words are truly eloquent. On behalf of the brothers of the sect, we thank you."
Although Ren Xiaoyao both loathed and resented the imposter Long Yinxiao, he showed no sign of it on his face. He was flattered and returned the greeting with clasped hands, saying humbly, "This junior has been speaking without thinking, and may have uttered nonsense. Please forgive me, Sect Leader Long."
Xiong Xiaotian patted him on the shoulder and interjected, "Fourth Brother, not everyone can so easily navigate the world of romance like you. Don't corrupt the brothers of the Heavenly Extreme Sect." In front of his sworn brothers, he abandoned his usual seriousness and even joked around, showing no trace of the airs of the Beggar Clan leader.
Ye Zhiqiu also put away his aloof and arrogant expression and laughed, "Hahaha, Elder Brother is right."
The brotherhood of the four martial arts masters, sharing the same ideals and loyal hearts, was evident.
Ren Xiaoyao casually asked, "Where did Second Brother go? I haven't seen him."
Xiong Xiaotian replied, "Alliance Leader Liu sent a letter saying that he plans to stay at Shaolin and wants Third Brother to return to Mount Tai to act as the sect leader and temporarily handle sect affairs."
Ren Xiaoyao was both happy and worried. He was happy that Liu Yuxu and Dugu Yu were both at Shaolin, making it much easier to notify them. He was worried that Xiao Xingchen had left, losing a powerful ally and inevitably weakening their strength.
Ye Zhi Qiu, thinking he was worried about not being able to say goodbye to Xiao Xing Chen in person, laughed and said, "Second Brother is just going back to the inn to pack his luggage. We brothers will have a good drink at noon before heading north."
Ren Xiaoyao readily agreed, "Alright, this time we'll drink until we're completely drunk."
Xiong Xiaotian asked with a smile, "In a few days, Third Brother and I will also be leaving. What about you? Are you going to Tingyuxuan? Hengshan? Or will you stay in Xunfeng City?"
Ren Xiaoyao, intending to mislead the imposter Long Yin Xiao, said in a deep voice, "I will naturally return to Tingyuxuan and Hengshan one by one. The days may be a little later than my two brothers, but it will still be within five or six days." Upon hearing this, Long Yin Xiao's lips curled into a barely perceptible cold smile.

Volume 20, Chapter 4: Offering Oneself in Marriage.

Back at the inn, Ren Xiaoyao saw Xiao Xingchen hurriedly packing his bags. Knowing the matter was of great importance, he worried that if the four women found out, they would be worried, and if they discovered his presence, the trouble would be immense. So, he took the opportunity to send them away and whispered to his three brothers that Long Yinxiao was an imposter, and that Qin Huaiyu and Zhang Jinghong's identities were also questionable. Xiong Xiaotian, Xiao Xingchen, and Ye Zhiqi were all extremely surprised upon hearing this. Only after hearing that Ren Xiaoyao had already discussed a plan with Long Feiyun did they breathe a sigh
of relief and nod repeatedly in agreement. The ensuing "farewell drink" was truly tasteless. A cloud of gloom hung over everyone's hearts, and even the finest wine tasted bitter. The women simply thought that it was natural for the brothers to be saddened by their impending separation, and therefore not surprising.
After finishing their meal, Xiong Xiaotian, Ye Zhiqi, and Ren Xiaoyao escorted Xiao Xingchen out of the city through the north gate. The four brothers, impeccably dressed and armed, rode tall horses, attracting the attention of many onlookers. Ren Xiaoyao, with his sharp eyes, quickly spotted several skilled lookouts sent by the enemy among the crowd. Some were disguised as ordinary vendors, others mingled with the common people; their outward appearances were unassuming, but their temples bulged, and their eyes gleamed with a cold light, constantly watching the four men's every move. Ren Xiaoyao remained outwardly calm, but inwardly he chuckled. Composure and calmness were fundamental qualities for the brothers; if they were seen through by mere spies, the title of "Four Heroes of the Martial World" would be undeserved.
After reluctantly seeing Xiao Xingchen off, the three didn't return to the inn. Instead, they headed to Yunlong Street to select local specialties from Guanzhong, making their departure from the city seem quite natural. However, as they rounded a street corner, they suddenly encountered Long Feiyun, accompanied by Liu Qianyun. What was particularly surprising was that Liu Qianyun had completely abandoned her usual graceful demeanor, dressed flamboyantly and radiantly, clinging affectionately to Long Feiyun like a doting and obedient wife.
Seeing this, Ren Xiaoyao almost burst out laughing, but then he realized that if things continued like this, Long Feiyun's true identity as a woman would be exposed within days. If things weren't handled properly, they would inevitably lose everything, and he immediately became worried.
Long Feiyun appeared quite calm, greeting the three warmly. Xiong Xiaotian and Ye Zhiqi were completely unaware of the hidden meaning. The former, constrained by the crowds in the market, didn't say much, only returning the greeting with a bow. The latter, however, had a hint of sadness in his eyes. Ren Xiaoyao, knowing his third brother missed Shishi, quickly patted him on the shoulder to comfort him.
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, they parted ways. As Long Feiyun brushed past Ren Xiaoyao, she secretly slipped him a note. Ren Xiaoyao immediately understood, tucked it into his sleeve, and pretended to be nonchalant as he strode away. Later, in a secluded spot, he retrieved it and discovered that Long Feiyun had made a significant discovery, informing him to move their meeting to that evening at the Wufu Teahouse.
※ ※ ※ ※ ※
At three-quarters past dusk, Ren Xiaoyao arrived as promised. To avoid revealing his identity, he disguised himself as a burly, bearded martial arts hero. There were countless such men in Xunfeng City, so he wouldn't arouse any suspicion.
After about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Long Feiyun still hadn't arrived. Ren Xiaoyao was wondering if she had been delayed by something when he suddenly remembered that Long Feiyun might have also disguised herself before coming to the Wufu Teahouse, just like him.
Thinking of this, he quickly looked around, but no matter how he looked, he couldn't find a clue. He realized that Long Feiyun's disguise skills were comparable to his own, and it would be extremely difficult to distinguish her without careful examination. He felt extremely frustrated, thinking to himself that his cleverness had backfired, and tonight's date was probably a waste.
After two cups of tea, Ren Xiaoyao couldn't help but recall his defeat in his skill duel with Long Feiyun at the Wufu Teahouse. Thinking of Yun'er's celestial beauty, his heart fluttered, and a sudden inspiration flashed in his mind—he knew how to find Long Feiyun among the crowd.
The three techniques of disguise each have different effects, but the only thing that cannot be changed is the eyes. Long Feiyun's beautiful, captivating eyes had left a deep impression on Ren Xiaoyao. He stood up, scanned the room, and immediately found those eyes that haunted his dreams near a wooden table by the window.
It belonged to a strikingly beautiful young woman. Surrounded by men at several tables, she stood out like a single red flower amidst a sea of green. Her attire exuded a seductive charm, her demeanor graceful and alluring, her gaze flirtatious and wanton, seemingly that of a promiscuous woman. Ren Xiaoyao, a seasoned veteran of the pleasure quarters, could easily discern that her flirtatiousness was feigned, and her true nature was melancholy. Clearly, she too was troubled by her inability to find him.
"Madam Ren, it's been a long time," Ren Xiaoyao said, bowing respectfully and sitting down beside the young woman with a grin.
The woman looked up in surprise, a hint of astonishment in her eyes, but remained silent.
Ren Xiaoyao dipped his finger in some tea and wrote the character "Dragon" on the table in front of the young woman.
A flash of surprise crossed the woman's eyes. She lowered her voice and sighed softly, "Alas, it seems I am indeed inferior to you."
Ren Xiaoyao smiled and said, "Want to know how I saw through it?"
Long Feiyun shook her head, replying with a Buddhist saying, "If you care so much about the reason, wouldn't you be attached to appearances?"
Ren Xiaoyao's eyes flashed sharply as he gazed at Long Feiyun and said, "The reason can be disregarded; what about the result?"
Long Feiyun's pretty face flushed slightly, and she said angrily, "I came here to discuss important matters, but you...you..." Her voice trailed off, becoming barely audible. The two had agreed at West Hunting Mountain that after the hunt, they would have a fair and square competition. If Long Feiyun lost, Ren Xiaoyao would immediately join the Heavenly Extreme Sect, and she would repay him with her body, serving him for life. No wonder Long Feiyun blushed so easily at the mere mention of it.
Ren Xiaoyao took a piece of tea and snack, savoring it carefully, and sighed, "You are still so captivating now; I wonder if you will make my heart flutter and my soul be captivated after you regain your beauty." His words were slightly flirtatious, yet his tone was full of affection, causing Long Feiyun's heart to tremble, her beautiful eyes sparkling with a captivating light.
Before Ren Xiaoyao could speak, Long Feiyun suddenly snapped back to reality and gently scolded, "Alright, let's get down to business!"
Knowing her temperament, Ren Xiaoyao immediately adopted a serious expression and asked solemnly, "You summoned me here in such a hurry, what exactly did you find out?" Long Feiyun looked around, and seeing no

suspicious

people, said, "This morning, after returning to Qilin Hall, I immediately sent Qin Xiang and Zhang Feng to Wangyue Pavilion to tell them about last night's events… Of course, I didn't reveal my true identity, but to my surprise, they both froze on the spot."
Ren Xiaoyao smiled bitterly, "Since you concealed the fact that you are a woman, you naturally can't explain why you saw through the imposter of the Dragon Cult Leader. How could Qin Xiang and Zhang Feng believe you?"
Long Feiyun lowered her voice and said seriously, "They weren't questioning my explanation, but rather because they had noticed their fathers behaving strangely before the hunt."
Ren Xiaoyao was deeply moved and tentatively asked, "Even you only figured it out yesterday. Those two… if Zhang Fengshang has some chance, as for Qin Xiang…" Long
Feiyun interrupted with a smile, "Sometimes, even the smartest people don't know the most."
Ren Xiaoyao took a sip of tea, his expression one of attentive listening.
Long Feiyun elaborated, "Qin Xiang is honest and kind. He was often bullied by his peers when he was young. Uncle Qin was busy with his teaching duties and didn't have much time to spend with his son. Seeing Qin Xiang's spirits gradually weakening, he came up with a quick and easy way to motivate him."
Ren Xiaoyao's interest was piqued, and he pressed, "What method?"
Long Feiyun said calmly, "Arm wrestling. At first, Qin Xiang would get a reward as long as he could endure a certain amount of time. Later, the requirements were gradually increased. Over time, the father and son developed a habit of playing several rounds every night whenever they stayed at home together." Uncle Qin doted on his son, always letting him win a round or two after a winning streak. But since returning to the city after quelling the internal strife, Qin Xiang hadn't won a single game.
Ren Xiaoyao questioned, "If the other side deliberately hired someone to impersonate Vice Leader Zhang, they couldn't have failed to investigate the details beforehand. How could they have made such an obvious mistake?"
Long Feiyun said seriously, "You don't know, Uncle Qin is extremely concerned about his reputation. He was afraid that the news of him using arm wrestling to discipline Qin Xiang would get out and damage his image. So he always called him to the inner room before starting. Although secrets can't stay hidden forever, this matter eventually leaked out. But
the secret behind Uncle Qin's handicap was known only to the two of them." Ren Xiaoyao thought to himself, "So that's how it is," and pressed, "Where's Zhang Feng?" “
Long Feiyun said in a deep voice, “Zhang Feng and his father also have an extremely secretive relationship. Zhang Feng loved playing with marbles since he was a child, and Uncle Zhang would play with him whenever he had a spare moment. However, out of consideration for the Vice Leader’s reputation, he dared not let outsiders see them, and always took his son to the old house in the west of the city… That area, spanning several miles, was Uncle Zhang’s fiefdom. Uncle Zhang specially cleared a field, had a shed erected outside, and sealed it off tightly. Every time, he and Zhang Feng would hide there to play, and over time it became a habit that they had to go there on the first and fifteenth of each month. Even I, who prides myself on being well-versed in the strange tales of the martial world, have never heard of this, let alone people from the Asura Sect, Absolute Kill, or other organizations.”
Ren Xiaoyao’s heart trembled slightly, and he asked, “Vice Leader Zhang has been back home for more than half a month. Could it be… could it be that he has never taken Zhang Feng there?”
Long Feiyun’s beautiful eyes flashed with a sharp light, and her delicate eyebrows furrowed slightly as she said, “Not only did he not go, he didn’t even mention it.” Ren Xiaoyao gasped, his voice trembling, "
It seems that Vice Leaders Qin and Zhang are not the real people either. What... what should we do?" Even he, usually so confident, was at a loss, demonstrating the gravity of the situation.
Long Feiyun sighed, "Alas, how could I possibly come up with a foolproof plan?"
Ren Xiaoyao hardened his heart and said in a deep voice, "Forgive my bluntness, but are your father and Vice Leaders Qin and Zhang in danger of losing their lives?"
Long Feiyun's eyes suddenly sharpened like blades as she stared at him, saying, "They would never dare to harm Father. As for Uncle Qin and Uncle Zhang, they are likely safe for the time being."
She paused for a moment, then explained, “Before the founding emperor passed away, he entrusted a martial arts manual to my father, saying, ‘If one can master the martial arts contained in this manual, one will be invincible.’ My father intended to study it, but after discussing it with Senior Dugu all night, he resolutely gave up, carefully storing the manual away and swearing to the heavens that even if the three treasures were destroyed and Xunfeng City collapsed, he would never let it fall into the hands of villains.” Ren
Xiaoyao suddenly realized, “No matter who they are, they must covet the manual. As long as the Dragon Sect Leader doesn’t reveal the manual’s location, they won’t dare to make a move.”
Long Feiyun added, “The wealth accumulated by the Heavenly Extreme Sect over fifty years is all in the Qiande Treasury. The first floor stores gold and silver jewels, which can only be opened by collecting the two keys collected by Uncle Zhang and Uncle Qin. The second floor stores the three Heavenly Extreme Treasures, which require my father’s and my keys to enter. The third floor may contain that manual, or it may contain nothing at all.” "
Ren Xiaoyao said in a low voice, "So, their next target is you?"
Long Feiyun shook her head and said solemnly, "No, the other party can imitate my father, Uncle Qin, and Uncle Zhang so well that they must have been secretly observing them for at least seven or eight years. Back then, I was just a child... Oh no! Uncle Liu, Uncle Jing!" Liu Ningtao was the fourth most important figure in the Tianji Sect, and Jing Si commanded the Imperial Guards and the inner guards of the main altar. If they were also ambushed, the Tianji Sect would truly be doomed.
Ren Xiaoyao asked urgently, "What, didn't you tell Hall Master Liu and Commander Jing about this?"
Long Feiyun smiled bitterly, "To make Uncle Liu and Uncle Jing believe me, I have to reveal my female identity. Uncle Jing is fine, but... but Uncle Liu... you know, Sister Liu is deeply in love with me. A few days ago, you even asked me to pretend to be in love with her. I... how can I tell Uncle Liu?"
Ren Xiaoyao suddenly looked up, gazing into Long Feiyun's beautiful eyes, and slowly said, word by word, "Compared to the fifty-year foundation of the Heavenly Extreme Sect, what's wrong with you apologizing to Hall Master Liu and causing Miss Liu heartbreak?" Long
Feiyun's delicate body trembled, a bitter smile appearing on her lips, her brows furrowed as she said softly, "Alright, I'll tell Uncle Jing tonight, and tomorrow...tomorrow morning I'll go to the Azure Dragon Hall...Since we can't be lovers, it's good to...become sisters." Her tone was bitter, revealing deep remorse.
Ren Xiaoyao comforted her, "Miss Liu may seem delicate, but her character is very resolute; she shouldn't be too heartbroken. The most urgent thing is for us to find out who started this whole thing immediately, so we don't end up clueless when we take action."
Long Feiyun composed herself and said solemnly, "According to Qin Xiang and Zhang Feng, before the army returned to Xunfeng City, Uncle Qin and Uncle Zhang were no longer the same people. It seems that Juesha is very likely involved." "
Ren Xiaoyao analyzed, "The mutiny ended in failure. The five assassins and eight hundred loyal followers were all captured. I estimate that even if Jue Sha was involved, he was probably just a mere vassal. There must be a much larger force supporting him in the shadows."
Long Feiyun suppressed her excitement and said in a deep voice, "You mean the Asura Sect?"
Ren Xiaoyao nodded and added, "Not only them, but perhaps also the Tangut Association, the Maitreya Sect, and the Ghost Sorrow Mansion."
Long Feiyun murmured, "That's right. With the power of our sect, it is by no means something that a single Jianghu organization can swallow up. And everyone wants a share of the wealth in the Qiande Treasure Vault and that martial arts manual. Perhaps these shameless bandits and treacherous villains will actually unite."
Ren Xiaoyao's eyes flashed with a sharp light, and he said in a deep voice, "You take care of the affairs of the main altar and ensure the safety of the hall masters. Leave the rest to me."
Long Feiyun nodded in agreement, took out an item from her bosom, and quietly handed it to Ren Xiaoyao.
Ren Xiaoyao was taken aback and said, "This is..."
Long Feiyun whispered, "It's a map showing the layout and mechanisms of the three prisons of our sect. The eight hundred assassins are divided into two groups. One group is held in the circular prison of the White Tiger Hall, and the other group is held in the prison of the Black Tortoise Hall. As for Burning Sun, Absolute Moon, Soul Stealing, Life Chasing, and Soul Terrifying, they are respectively imprisoned in the five water prisons of Yanjia Pavilion. I should have been the one to try to extract information from them, but since Uncle Zhu Si and Uncle Liu Wu are in charge of the interrogation, if I were to intervene rashly, I might alert them. So I'll have to trouble you to sneak in and investigate... As long as nothing unexpected happens, you should be able to find some clues from them."
Ren Xiaoyao took the map from under the table and said nonchalantly, "Don't worry, I'll take care of this little thing."
After the two finished their discussion, Ren Xiaoyao deliberately dragged out his words and pretended to chat with Long Feiyun about some trivial matters of the martial arts world. After making sure that no one else suspected anything, he got up to take his leave.

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