The Great Hero's Soul, Chapter Eight: Perilous Encounter in the Funeral Hall, a Mystery Within a Mystery

Chapter Eight: Perilous Encounter at the Funeral Hall, Mystery Within a Mystery

Several days had passed quickly. That evening, outside the north gate of Nanyang Prefecture, arrived the second young master of the Hua family from Yunzhong Mountain. Hua Yunlong was travel-worn, but his handsome appearance was undeniable. Riding a fine horse and wearing a light fur coat, carrying a sword and a fan, he still possessed the air of a noble young master, showing no sign of fatigue. At this time, the city lights were just coming on, and the night market was just beginning. Hua Yunlong slowly rode towards the city.
The streets were bustling with pedestrians. The red horse, like its master, strutted about with an air of superiority, its bells jingling. A moment later, the red horse stopped at the entrance of the "Gaosheng Pavilion" inn. The staff, surrounding and flanking, welcomed Hua Yunlong inside. "Gaosheng Pavilion" was the premier inn in Nanyang City. After Hua Yunlong selected a room and washed up, the food and drink were brought. The waiter bowed and was about to leave when Hua Yunlong beckoned, saying, "Wait a minute, waiter, I have something to ask you."
The shop assistant stepped forward, smiling obsequiously, and asked, "What would you like to ask, young master?"
Hua Yunlong picked up his wine cup, took a sip, and said, "I want to ask you about someone."

The waiter smiled broadly and asked, "Whom do you want to ask, young master?"
Hua Yunlong said, "This person is very famous. His surname is Sima, and his given name is Chang..."
The shop assistant's expression changed, and he stammered, "Young master..."
Hua Yunlong's face darkened, and he suddenly shouted, "Simply put, where is Master Sima's residence?"
The shop assistant paused for a moment, then whispered, "East Street, turn right after you go out, it's the third street, in front of the government gate..."
Hua Yunlong waved his left hand and interrupted, "That's enough." Then he took a piece of silver and handed it to the shop assistant, saying, "This is a reward for you." The shop assistant took the silver, was overjoyed, thanked him repeatedly, and left.
Hua Yunlong poured himself a drink, secretly calculating in his mind. He thought, "The news of Uncle Sima's sudden death has spread throughout the martial arts world. In Nanyang City, it must be a major event, but there are many rumors and no one knows who the real culprit is. Finding the murderer will probably be a very difficult task." At

the second watch of the night, the sound of the night watchman's gong rang out in the street. Hua Yunlong sheathed his sword, closed the door, and quietly went up to the roof, heading straight for East Street. In no time, he found Sima Changqing's residence and gracefully landed inside. The dark and silent residence gave off a desolate and eerie feeling. Hua Yunlong circled around the back house, and after seeing that no one lived there, he returned to the front yard. He pushed the gate open easily.
Stepping inside, the pungent smell of paint and lime assaulted his nostrils in the darkness. He seemed to smell death, a chill ran down his spine, and his hair stood on end. He quickly fetched a torch and lit it. In the light, he saw a plain white curtain, behind which were two coffins. In front of the curtain was a spirit table, with the ancestral tablets of Sima Changqing and his wife placed in the center, next to which was an oil lamp. Upon closer inspection, he realized that the lamp oil had burned out, leaving only two wisps of candle wax.
Hua Yunlong frowned repeatedly, glancing around. He noticed some unburned gold and silver paper ingots and lit a pile of them to use as lamplight. Sima Changqing, known as the "Nine-Lives Swordsman," was a renowned figure in his youth and was Hua Yunlong's grandfather's sworn brother. Hua Yunlong thought to himself, "Now that I'm here, I should offer my respects." He knelt before the coffin, bowed several times, and intended to say a few words of prayer. However, seeing that the paper ingots in the basin had burned out and the flames were about to go out, he hurriedly added more paper ingots, forgetting about offering any prayers.
Suddenly, with a loud bang, the door was blown open by the wind, and a chilling gust of wind rushed into the room, scattering the burning paper tablets in all directions, and the flames flickered and died out. Hua Yunlong was startled, a chill running down his spine, but in that moment when the ashes scattered and the flames were about to go out, he seemed to see the shadow of a woman behind the veil. At this moment, Hua Yunlong calmed himself, wiped the cold sweat from his palms, and said in a deep voice, "Who is behind the veil?"
After a moment of silence, a mournful voice rang out from behind the cloud curtain, saying, "My name is You, young master."
Hua Yunlong frowned and said, "I am Hua Yunlong, from Luoxia Manor."
Then, Lady You said softly, "So it's the second young master." A flash of firelight appeared, and from behind the white curtain, a woman dressed in mourning clothes with a sorrowful expression emerged. The woman was in the prime of her life and very beautiful. Dressed in plain clothes with a white ribbon tied around her forehead, she appeared even more elegant and charming.
Hua Yunlong stood before the altar, looking up to see Madam You holding a lamp in her right hand and cradling a baby in her left. A thought struck him: Madam You is dressed in mourning, she must be a relative of Uncle Sima, but whose child is the baby she is holding? As he pondered, Madam You placed the oil lamp on the altar and slowly turned around.
Hua Yunlong's heart skipped a beat when he glanced at what she was holding. It turned out that Madam You wasn't holding a baby, but a black cat. The cat's fur was jet black and glossy, and in the dim light, its bright, intelligent eyes shone with a chilling light. Madam You curtsied and slowly said, "Second Young Master, have you come here on orders?"
Hua Yunlong quickly composed himself and returned the greeting, saying, "I have come to pay my respects to Uncle Sima on the orders of my grandmother."
Madam You asked, "Has my young lady already arrived at Baozhuang?"
Hua Yunlong nodded and asked, "May I ask how you address Madam and Uncle Sima?"
Lady You lowered her eyes and looked down at the ground, saying, "This lowly concubine is the old master's maid."
Hua Yunlong thought to himself, "It is only natural for Uncle Sima to take a concubine in order to have a son since he has no children." He then bowed deeply again and said, "So you are the Second Madam. Please forgive my rudeness."
Lady You stepped aside and said, "This lowly concubine dares not accept such a great honor."
Hua Yunlong's mind raced, and he asked, "Is only the Second Madam left in the manor?"
Madam You sighed softly and said, "On the day the young lady left home, she dismissed all the maids and servants. I am grateful for the old master's kindness and am keeping vigil here alone."
Hua Yunlong was filled with respect and said, "The Second Madam is loyal and righteous, and I admire her greatly."
Madam You sighed, as if she wanted to say a few humble words, but then she lowered her head and pondered for a long time before saying, "Second Young Master, is there anything else you have to do at my humble abode besides paying respects to my family member?"
Hua Yunlong said, "I came to Nanyang on my father's orders, firstly to pay respects to the spirit of the deceased, and secondly to investigate the murderer."
Madam You frowned slightly and said, "The Great Hero Hua isn't going down the mountain in person?"

It turned out that no one in the martial arts world knew that "Emperor's Sword" Hua Tianhong had passed away ten years ago, which was also a secret that the Hua family intentionally kept quiet. Therefore, Hua Yunlong said, "My father has entrusted the task of finding the murderer to me." Upon hearing this, a strange look flashed across Madam You's face, but it only lasted for a moment before she regained her sorrowful and desolate expression.
Hua Yunlong thought to himself: She sees my youth and assumes my abilities are limited, making me unfit for this important task. Then, noticing the black cat in Madam You's arms, its eyes gleaming with golden light, staring intently at him, he couldn't help but laugh loudly, saying, "Does Madam love cats?"
Madam You said, "My family is destroyed and I am all alone. This black cat is my only companion." Hua Yunlong thought to himself, "So the black cat has a name too. That's interesting."
But then Madam You said, "My master is a well-known figure in the martial arts world. Although his skills are not as good as your father's, he is still considered a first-rate master. Anyone who can harm my master must be no ordinary person. It is a bit much that Master Hua is unwilling to come out of seclusion and only sent the second young master to investigate the case..." She seemed unwilling to say more, and before she finished speaking, she suddenly sighed and stopped.
Hua Yunlong smiled slightly and said, "Madam, rest assured, although I am not talented, I will do my best and am confident that I can fulfill my duty."
Lady You sighed and said, "Since the Second Young Master is so confident, I have nothing more to say."
Hua Yunlong said, "I hope you can give me some guidance, Madam."
尤氏冷冷地道：“妾身所知之事，我家姑娘諒必早已陳述明白。”
華云龍暗暗忖道，看來這尤氏遭逢大變，性情頗爲偏激。心中在想，口中說道：“晚輩聽說，司馬叔爺慘遭非命，傷痕在咽喉上……”
尤氏接口道：“老夫人也是一樣。”
華云龍道：“靈柩尚未固封，晚輩想看看傷處的情形。”
尤氏漠然道：“左面是老員外的靈柩，右面是夫人的。”話聲中，拿起案上的油燈，移步朝棺木行去。
華云龍到了左面靈柩之側，雙手把住棺蓋，準備揭開。尤氏立在華云龍右邊，左手抱著那「黑兒」，右手高舉油燈照亮。華云龍正要揭開棺蓋，鼻尖突然嗅到一種淡淡的粉香。那是一種極品宮粉，珍貴異常，尋常人家，有錢也難買到。華云龍出身世家，自幼風流，專門愛在脂粉堆中厮混，對婦女常用的脂粉自然十分內行。他微微一怔，嗅了嗅，發覺那香味來自尤氏身上，不禁暗暗好笑，心想：難怪這尤氏能討司馬叔爺歡心，原來確有可人之處。
忽聽尤氏道：“二公子爲何遲疑了？”
華云龍莞爾一笑，雙掌用力，便待揭開棺蓋，突然，他心頭一動，忖道：不對，這尤氏既然爲夫守制，爲何還用脂粉？司馬叔爺死去十余日，殘留在身上的脂粉，應無這般濃重。轉念至此，不覺又忖道：“嗯，完全不對，一個新喪夫主，哀傷逾?的女子，懷中抱著一頭黑貓，成何體統？”他本是精靈古怪的少年，先前未曾動疑，倒也不覺得什麽，此刻疑心一動，頓時感到破綻百出，事事可疑，大大的不合常情。
但聽尤氏歎息道：“老員外死狀極慘，二公子不看也罷。”
華云龍隨聲應道：“正是，正是。”突然話鋒一轉，又道：“靈堂之內，應該有一盞長明燈才是。”
尤氏先是一怔，隨即幽幽一歎，道：“賤妾遭此大變，六神無主，一切都忘了。”
華云龍心中暗道：眼淚總不該忘掉，我可沒有見著你的淚水。他突然大聲喝道：“夫人留神，晚輩開棺了。”雙手用力，猛地掀開了棺蓋。
棺蓋一開，撲鼻一陣石灰氣味，在那濃烈的石灰氣味當中，尚還夾雜著一股淡淡的花香。華云龍嗅覺之靈，高人一等，鼻端一觸那混雜的氣味，心頭已是雪亮，當下敞聲怪叫道：“哎呀，好香，好香。”皺起鼻頭，猛然嗅了幾嗅。
那尤氏愣了一愣，奇怪棺木內散發的毒氣怎會毒不倒這纨绔小兒，不禁大驚失色，右手一沈，油燈猛向華云龍臉上砸去，左腿一擡，襲向華云龍的腰際。華云龍哈哈大笑，右手一撩，霍地抓住尤氏的臂膀，將那尤氏往棺木按去。
棺蓋揭開后，尤氏一直閉住呼吸，這時手臂奇痛，驚急交迸，脫口一聲嬌呼，一股毒氣撲入鼻端，霎時昏死過去。這乃是一瞬間的事，華云龍對付尤氏，綽綽有余。哪知突然之間，一股勁風憑空而至，襲到了身后。華云龍駭然一驚，一時間不容細想，身形一縱，閃電一般竄了開去。只聽「嗤」的一聲，華云龍背上的衣衫，已被撕去了一片。
這時，靈堂中黑暗如漆，伸手不見五指。華云龍人未站定，那股勁風已複跟蹤襲到，華云龍匆匆橫閃一步，避過了那勁風的偷襲。他出身武林世家，對那閃避讓位的功夫自有獨到之處。這一刻，他已辨出偷襲自己的，正是那尤氏抱在懷中的「黑兒」。他不禁又好氣又好笑，眼看那兩道黃澄澄的光亮再一次竄了過來，連忙身形微側，一腳踢去。那黑貓原是西域異種，久經調教，善于撲斗。華云龍一腳踢去，居然未曾踢中，那黑貓撲地一轉，反向華云龍右腿襲來。
華云龍哈哈一笑，道：“小畜牲，少爺今日非生擒你不可。”他童心大起，雙腿一屈，蹲了下去，左手摸著背上破裂的衣衫，右手疾若電掣，直向那黑貓頸上抓去。
蓦地，靈幔之后響起一聲尖厲的哨音。哨音十分短促，那黑兒聞得哨音，頓時貼地一轉，直往靈幔之后竄去。華云龍大喝一聲：“哪里逃。”撲身一撈，抓住了黑兒的尾巴，不料那黑兒身子一扭，一口咬來，嚇得華云龍大叫一聲，縮手不叠。
只聽一陣急促的步履之聲，轉瞬便歸于靜寂。華云龍閃電般撲了過去，發覺靈幔后有座小門，門后一條甬道，追出甬道，敵人已失蹤影，那黑兒也已不知去向。華云龍怔了怔，遊目四顧，一無所見，突然想起自稱「尤氏」的女子仍然昏倒在靈堂之中，連忙返回靈堂，亮起火折，一看之下，哪里還有「尤氏」有影子，顯然就在這眨眼之間，已被同伴救走了。

棺蓋早被掀開，一陣陣濃烈的石灰氣味，混雜著那股淡淡的桂花香味，散發開來，令人欲嘔。華云龍閉住呼吸，朝棺內屍體望去，司馬長青的屍體，經過化裝，此刻已看不出可疑之處。華云龍伸手掀開衣領，始見咽喉上面有一個酒杯大小的窟窿，那窟窿齒痕宛然，曆曆如新，顯然確是被動物咬斷喉管，氣絕而死。蓦聞「嗖」的一聲，靈案下竄起一條人影，疾若勁矢，直往門外竄去。
華云龍縱聲大笑，道：“哈哈，你們好大的膽子，也太小看你家二爺了。”他顧不得蓋上棺蓋，縱身疾躍，如影隨形一般，追出了廳門。
星光下，只見那人影體態窈窕，婀娜多姿，一身玄色勁裝，腰際斜插一柄短劍，原來竟是一位年方二八、楚楚動人的少女。華云龍伸手在那少女肩頭一拍，道：“喂，還不乖乖地站住？”
那玄衣少女步履踉跄，連竄數步，幾乎跌仆在地，所幸面前是道院牆，她伸手扶住牆壁，始才將身軀站穩。她忽然取出手帕，捂住小嘴，連連咳嗽，連眼淚也咳了出來。原來這少女屏住呼吸，躲在靈案之下，那靈案有桌圍罩著，不易爲人發覺，但因閉氣過久，被棺木中散發的毒氣侵入眼內，少女抵受不住，被迫沖了出來。
華云龍雙目炯炯，朝那玄衣少女上下打量，心中暗道：這丫頭面薄腰細，袅袅婷婷，倒是個美人胚子。他心頭在想，口中笑道：“二爺並未傷你啊，你干嗎落淚？”
那玄衣少女臉上泛起一抹紅暈，突然抽出短劍，沈聲道：“姑娘與司馬家命案無關，咱們河水不犯井水，你讓我走。”
華云龍朗聲大笑，道：“既與命案無關，你躲在靈堂之中干什麽？”玄衣少女冷冷一哼，嬌軀一晃，便朝大門掠去。華云龍哈哈笑道：“話未講明，何必急于要走？”身形一閃，擋住了少女的去路。
玄衣少女似算定他會如此，短劍一振，忽然刺去，同時雙足一頓，倒射而起，嬌軀撲向院牆。華云龍大笑聲中，舉手一抓，抓住了短劍的劍尖。這短劍光華閃閃，乃是一柄截金斷玉的寶刃。華云龍抓在手中，恍若無物。那少女身形業已縱起，卻舍不得丟棄兵刃，只得真氣一沈，落下地來。
華云龍將手一松，笑道：“姑娘尊姓，芳名可否見示？”
玄衣少女驚急交加，道：“我已聲明在先，與司馬家命案無關，你何必多問？”
華云龍笑容滿面，道：“在下生平最愛與女孩子交往，姑娘若不講個清楚，那就別想離去了。”
玄衣少女微微一怔，道：“哼，名門之后，原來竟是輕薄之徒。”
華云龍放聲大笑，道：“在下麽，嘿嘿……”
玄衣少女冷冷說道：“你又怎樣？”
華云龍一本正經道：“行爲怪僻乖張，哪管世人誹謗。姑娘，你遇著了華家二爺，你是倒黴定了。”

玄衣少女聞言一愣，心中暗道：這姓華的刁鑽古怪，武功卻深不可測，我打他不過，脫身不得，如何是好？心中盤算，苦無脫身之策。突然間，一股奇異的感覺泛起心頭，不禁臉上一熱，螓首低垂，羞不自勝。原來華云龍貌似潘安，俊美無俦，是個十足的美男子。那玄衣少女年方二八，自來少與異性接觸，但情窦已開，此刻突然發覺對方是個俊美少年，不禁大爲局促，一顆芳心，怦怦亂跳，莫名其妙地羞赧不已。
華云龍睹狀之下，莞爾一笑，忽然從懷中取出描金折扇，「唰」的一聲打了開來，搖了兩搖，道：“姑娘貴姓芳名？”
玄衣少女秀目一擡，閃電般瞥了華云龍一眼，低聲說道：“素不相識，何必稱名道姓。”
華云龍呵呵一笑，道：“姑娘不願道出姓名，在下也不勉強。”他忽然收起折扇，將手一擺，作了個相請的姿勢，接道：“靈堂中講話。”
玄衣少女微微一怔，道：“那棺木之中，藏有劇毒，公子不懼，小女子卻承受不起。”話聲中，口氣已自軟了。
華云龍道：“你怎知棺中藏有劇毒？”
玄衣少女道：“我已來此多次，這里的布置，我在暗中看得非常清楚。”
華云龍道：“姑娘到此干什麽？”
玄衣少女臉上掠過一片淒涼之色，道：“小女子另有苦衷，總之，與司馬家的命案無關就是了。”
華云龍微一沈吟，道：“好，我將棺蓋蓋上，你隨我來。”司馬長青的命案一無線索可循，他發現這位玄衣少女，怎肯輕易放過，話聲未落，領先走入大廳之內。廳中一片漆黑，華云龍亮起火折，扶起棺蓋，重新蓋好，朗聲道：“姑娘可以進來了。”
玄衣少女站在廳外，見他談笑自若，絲毫不懼棺中散發的毒氣，不禁大爲詫異，移動腳步，欲待進入廳內，突然心頭一顫，陡又扭頭疾奔而去。華云龍縱聲笑道：“我說你逃不了，何必偏偏要逃？”那玄衣少女輕輕一躍，跳上了牆頭，陡感腰上一緊，已被華云龍攔腰抱住。
華云龍哈哈一笑，道：“非是在下要討便宜，只怪姑娘太不聽話了。”
玄衣少女嬌靥一紅，羞不自勝，突然臉色陡沈，冷冷說道：“華公子，小女子武功低弱，卻非行止不端、不知自重的人。”
華云龍放聲大笑，撒開手，舉手齊額，肅然道：“姑娘請息雷霆之怒，小生一時糊塗，這廂陪罪了。”他果真一揖到地。

弄得玄衣少女哭笑不得，歇了一下，始才冷冷說道：“不敢當，公子若是別無指教，賤妾告退。”華云龍心中暗道，此女明明來曆不正，卻裝得一本正經，此中必有奸詐。他心中轉念，口中說道：“司馬大俠慘遭非命，在下奉家父之命緝拿凶手，僥幸遇上了姑娘這條線索，在下豈能輕易放過？”
玄衣少女冷笑一聲，道：“原來公子懷疑賤妾是那凶手的黨羽？”
華云龍含笑說道：“在下僅求姑娘指點，豈敢含沙射影、誣賴好人。”他一時講那玄衣少女是條「線索」，一時又講她是個好人，其實反反覆覆，只有一個主意，那是定要從這少女身上獲取一些端倪。
玄衣少女自然清楚這一點，因之她玉臉含霜，緊緊盯著華云龍，神色極爲忿怒。玉女含忿，另有一番逗人遐思的嬌媚。華云龍縱然不涉遐思，卻是笑臉盈盈，飽餐了一頓秀色。那玄衣少女見他不愠不怒，只是癡癡含笑，卻也對他無可奈何。她想了一下，忽然臉容一整，肅然道：“華公子，你當真定要緝拿殺害司馬大俠的凶手麽？”
華云龍雙拳一拱道：“在下奉命，若是不能緝獲凶手，澄清疑案，無法回家複命。”
玄衣少女冷冷一笑，道：“好，小女子助你一臂之力。”話聲一落，轉身便向廳外奔去。
華云龍疑云滿腹，但知這位玄衣少女縱非凶手黨羽，也必是深知內幕的人，當下邁開大步，隨同奔去。兩人出了城，約莫奔行了有半個時辰，來到一處蔓草叢生的荒野。忽然，荒野蔓草間，出現了一座孤立的茅屋。茅屋孤零零掩映在蔓草叢中，四無道路，景色十分淒涼，更籠罩著一層詭秘的氣氛。
玄衣少女，直奔茅屋門前，伸手叩門，道：“薛娘開門。”
茅屋之內，燈光一閃，一個嘶啞的聲音問道：“是小姐麽？”
玄衣少女冷冷地道：“當然是我。”
茅屋中沈寂了片刻，忽又聽得那嘶啞的聲音道：“另外一人是誰？”
玄衣少女怒聲道：“叫你開門，何必多問。”華云龍早已聽出，屋中講話之人早已站在門后，但那木門緊緊關閉，遲遲不見啓動。玄衣少女似是怒不可遏，冷聲喝道：“你找死麽？”玉掌一揚，猛力拍去。
但聽「呀」的一聲，木門應掌而開。燈光一暗一明，但見茅屋一明兩暗，當門是間草堂，只有一張破舊的木凳和兩把竹椅，陳設十分簡陋。草堂無人，那玄衣少女氣沖沖奔向暗間，言道：“薛娘，你……”
華云龍接口說道：“姑娘不必找了，薛娘在這里。”
只聽一聲冷哼，道：“不錯，老身在此，閣下的耳目倒也聰靈。”聲落人現，門后閃出一條人影，擋住了華云龍瞧向暗間的視線。
華云龍凝目而望，不料目光一觸薛娘的臉孔，不覺渾身一震，一股涼氣起自足底，冒上胸口，機伶伶打了一個寒噤。這並非華云龍識得那薛娘，而是那薛娘年紀不過四十出頭，滿頭青絲，肌膚如玉，倒也整齊光潔，可是，她那臉上傷痕累累，十余條色澤豔紅、溝壑一般的創痕，布滿面頰，縱橫交錯，皮肉外翻，望去恐怖之極。此刻薛娘站在華云龍的面前，目光滿含猜疑之色。
玄衣少女聞言轉回草堂，峻聲叱道：“薛娘，你真要找死麽？還不退下奉茶。”那薛娘也不回頭，又呆呆地瞧了華云龍一陣，始才移動腳步，朝后面廚下走去。
華云龍心神稍定，暗暗留意薛娘走路，見她雙足著地，與常人毫無不同，也不像施展輕功的樣子，只是落地無聲，仿佛身子沒有重量。華云龍雖然膽大，此時此地，也有點提心吊膽，暗暗捏一把冷汗。玄衣少女將手一擺，冷冷說道：“華公子請坐。”
華云龍心神一定，嘻笑道：“請坐，姑娘也坐。”
兩人分別在兩張竹椅上坐下，只聽玄衣少女肅然道：“華公子是否知道一幫、一會、一教的事？”
華云龍暗暗皺眉，道：“那是十年以前的事了。”
玄衣少女冷冷說道：“聞說昔年有一個「神旗幫」，一個「風云會」，一個「通天教」，三足鼎立，各霸一方。公子出身武林世家，對于這些掌故，應該十分清楚了？”
華云龍微微一笑，道：“「風云會」與「通天教」早已覆滅，「神旗幫」也已解散。二十年前的舊事，姑娘爲何忽然問起？”
玄衣少女答非所問，道：“其后有一個「九陰教」，公子知道麽？”
華云龍道：“也曾聽人說起，聞說那「九陰教」屢經挫敗，亦已風流云散、冰消瓦解了。”
玄衣少女冷冷說道：“近年來，江湖上崛起一個「玄冥教」，公子可曾聽人講過？”
華云龍悚然一驚，道：“何方「玄冥教」？在下倒未聽人講起。”
玄衣少女淡然道：“我也是近日方始聽人講起。”
華云龍抱拳一拱，道：“在下願聞其詳。”
玄衣少女道：“那一日，我無意之間，發現一批形迹可疑之人，是我一時好奇，追蹤在彼等身后……”
華云龍全神貫注，正在聆聽對方敘述，突然間，心中陡生一種怵惕之感，轉面一望，赫然見到那滿臉創痕的薛娘，手托木盤，盤中放置兩杯清茶，不知何時到了身后。薛娘見他回過頭來，頓時移步上前，將兩杯清茶放置桌上。華云龍怒氣暗生，右手一擡，欲待扣住薛娘的手腕，轉含一想，自己先行出手，未免有失身份，于是改變主意，安坐不動。
玄衣少女冷眼一望薛娘，揮手道：“退下。”
那薛娘恐怖的臉上，肌肉顫動了一下，突然說道：“華公子，請用茶。”
玄衣少女微怒道：“你好羅嗦，叫你退下。”
華云龍心中暗道：“這茅屋充滿了鬼氣，若不使點霹雳手段，諒她們不肯就范。”心念轉動，突地放聲一笑，端起茶杯，道：“姑娘請往下講，在下洗耳恭聽。”舉杯就唇，飲了一口熱茶。
油燈就在手邊，他茶杯一舉，袍袖拂動，那油燈的光亮一閃，幾乎滅去。便在那油燈光亮暗而複明之際，華云龍右手小指輕輕一彈，一粒小如粟米的藥丸，業已投入另外那杯茶內，薛娘與玄衣少女竟是毫無所覺，這乃是瞬息間的事。
玄衣少女目光一轉，朝她手中茶杯瞥了一眼，繼續道：“我暗中追蹑那批人，見他們潛入司馬大俠府中，揭開棺蓋，將一種白色粉末灑入棺內，隨即將棺蓋複原，洋洋得意，準備捕捉敵人。”
華云龍業已試出，那杯清茶中，果然下有迷藥，當下聲色不動，端起茶杯，徐徐呷了一口，含笑道：“那自稱姓尤的女子，是「玄冥教」的屬下麽？”
玄衣少女點了點頭，道：“我也是由他們口中聽來的。”
華云龍微微一笑，道：“那尤氏是教主麽？”端起茶杯，津津有味的又呷了一口。
玄衣少女冷聲道：“那尤氏僅是一名最小的走卒，他們一行共有十余人，便那爲首之人，也不過是一名小而又小的頭目而已。”
華云龍佯作驚訝，道：“哦，姑娘見過那爲首之人？那爲首之人是男是女？多大年紀？”仰起脖子，將那杯清茶一飲而盡。
玄衣少女道：“我探查數次，始終未曾見著那爲首之人，不過，聞說此人姓仇，他們稱他公子。”
華云龍道：“既稱公子，想必年紀不大？”
玄衣少女道：“由他們的談話判斷，那仇公子非但是他們的首領，而且是殺害司馬長青的主謀，此人眼前尚在南陽，並未離去。”
華云龍忽然大笑，道：“有趣，有趣，華公子大戰仇公子。”
“那仇公子僅是「玄冥教」的小小頭目，並非「玄冥教」的教主。”玄衣少女冷然一笑，口齒啓動，欲言又止。
那薛娘一直站在華云龍身后，並未遵命離去，這時雙手緩緩提起，十指箕張，作勢欲撲。讵料華云龍猛一轉面，叫道：“薛娘。”薛娘大吃一驚，身子一縮，疾退一步，那玄衣少女也是心神一凜。
華云龍放聲一笑，端起茶杯，道：“我口渴得很，煩你再來一杯。”薛娘微微一愣，接過茶杯，疾步退去。華云龍突又叫道：“薛娘。”薛娘身子一震，轉身站定。
華云龍道：“你那茶葉很不錯，再給我多放一點。”薛娘那鬼怪的臉孔顫動了一下，點一點頭，匆匆向廚下奔去。
原來薛娘早在茶中投下一種藥物，那藥物極爲厲害，縱是武功絕高之人，飲下了那杯清茶，亦得當場倒下，人事不省。豈料那杯藥茶進了華云龍腹中，竟如石沈大海，毫無應驗，而且他一杯不夠，居然再要一杯，還說茶葉不錯，要求多放一點。
玄衣少女暗暗愁急，忖道：“這華云龍刁鑽刻薄，狡詐絕倫，藥物毒他不倒，看來只有舍命一拚了。”她正轉念之中，薛娘已端著一杯熱茶，疾步走了出來，垂目望地，默默的放在華云龍的面前。華云龍似是口渴難耐一般，急急端起茶杯，呷了一口，笑道：“聽姑娘的口氣，那「玄冥教」似是一個組織嚴密、黨羽衆多、行事十分惡毒的幫派？”
玄衣少女冷然應道：“想來如此。”
華云龍笑道：“那麽，平靜了二十年的江湖，豈不又要騷亂不休了？”他好似感慨良深，端起杯子，又呷了一口。
玄衣少女瞧他舉杯頻頻，對那茶中的藥物一絲也不在意，不禁大爲懊惱。她心頭煩悶，也自端起自己面前那杯清茶，朝唇邊送去，口中冷冷說道：“小女子覺得，江湖上正在醞釀大變，那司馬長青首當其沖，不過替人受過，作了代罪之羔羊罷了。”
華云龍佯作訝異，問道：“爲什麽？”
玄衣少女冷冷一笑，道：“令尊大人雄霸武林，聲威之隆，有如日在中天，但仇敵遍天下……”她似是不願多講，話猶未畢，突然頓住，舉杯就唇，就要飲一口茶。
華云龍轉彎抹角，就是要逗她飲茶，要看她作法自斃的樣子，這時見她茶將入口，一時忍俊不住，不禁「卟嗤」一笑，急急轉過臉去。玄衣少女微微一怔，嗔道：“你笑什麽？”
華云龍抿了抿嘴，忍笑道：“這杯茶不太干淨，姑娘不飲也罷。”這話中既含譏嘲之意，也有暗示之處，一語雙關，玄衣少女但知薛娘在茶中放過藥物，卻不知華云龍也已做過手腳，不禁一聲冷笑，口齒一張，又待飲用。
華云龍忍俊不住，又想發笑，但他畢竟是華家的子弟，日受義理熏陶，血脈之中，也有華家人光明正大的一面，那慈善的性情、是非的觀念，卻是顛撲不破的。便在這一刻間，他心頭靈光一閃，暗暗忖道：“她一個女流之輩，我要打便打，要殺便殺，何必作弄于她。”

轉念至此，再不遲疑，頓時手臂一伸，玄衣少女但覺眼前一花，手中的茶杯突然到了對方手內，便連杯中的茶水，也未濺出半點。華云龍淡然一笑，放下茶杯，正容道：“姑娘不是在下的敵手，今日之事，咱們坦誠相見，姑娘道出姓名，若是果真與血案無關，在下立即告辭，否則的話，兵刃相見，在下也不客氣，這茶你就不要喝了。”
玄衣少女聞言一愣，心知那杯清茶必是別有蹊跷，一時諸念雜陳，既感華云龍的技藝機智兩稱高絕，憑恃自己主仆，要想對他不利，那是萬分困難，心中有一分悲哀惱怒的情緒，但又覺華云龍刁鑽之中，不失其光明磊落的一面，芳心又有一分欽佩向往的意念，因之木然呆立，竟然不知所措。
突聽薛娘怒聲道：“恃技淩人，算什麽俠義之士？”大步走到桌前，端起茶杯，一仰而盡。
華云龍冷笑一聲，道：“你自討苦吃，那可怨不得人。”
薛娘厲聲狂笑，突然茶杯一摔，十指箕張，猛地撲了過來。她面貌猙獰，本來就令人望而心悸，這時運氣行功，渾身骨節劈啪亂響，原本白晰光潔的雙手，陡然變得漆黑如墨，尖尖十指，長出了寸許，那副張牙舞爪的模樣，看了著實令人心神俱震。
華云龍怒氣橫生，身形一閃，飄開兩尺，冷冷說道：“武功如此歹毒，定非善良之輩，饒你不得。”右掌一揮，淡然反擊過去。
但聽劍風振動，那玄衣少女一言不發，短劍宛如閃電一般，倏地刺到。這一劍來勢奇快，逼得華云龍縱身一躍，疾退三尺。薛娘笑聲不絕，那嘶啞笑聲，恍若鬼哭狼嗥，刺耳至極。在這荒野茅屋之內，一燈如豆，景色淒迷，聽入耳中，更覺驚心動魄，恐怖懾人。
華云龍雙眉緊蹙，右手一摸劍柄，打算抽出寶劍，但他自視清高，覺得對付兩個女子，實在不值得動用寶劍。就在這略一猶豫之間，玄衣少女短劍一振，又是一劍刺了過來；那薛娘身形一弓，突地厲喝一聲，亦複猛然撲到。這主仆二人動起手來，招式配合得極爲嚴密，尤其那薛娘奮不顧身，凶悍無比。
華云龍怒氣上湧，左手一探，徑奪玄衣少女手中短劍，右掌一揮，直向那薛娘前額拍去。這一掌疾如電掣，眼看后發先至，就要擊到薛娘額上。那薛娘雙目圓睜，目中精光暴射，仿佛兩支火炬，華云龍一掌擊來，她竟然不接不架，僅只腦袋微偏，避過要害，身子反而迅速前沖，雙臂一合，猛地抱了過去。
華云龍又驚又怒，倉猝之中，身形一矮，閃電般掠了開去。薛娘撲了個空，身形急轉，如影附形，緊迫而上，玄衣少女「唰」的一劍，同時朝華云龍右側襲到。交手這三招如火如荼，猛惡之極，但卻是轉眼間的事。忽然間，那薛娘狂叫一聲，雙手捧腹，一個踉跄，直向華云龍身上撞去。
華云龍身子一側，左腿陡擡，將薛娘踢倒在地，右手運指如戟，直向玄衣少女寸腕之間點去。玄衣少女短劍揮動，疾退一步，避過了一指。只聽那薛娘哀號不絕，雙手捧腹，在地上滾動不已。原來薛娘在茶水中投入藥物，華云龍也在茶水中投入藥物，可是，華云龍安然無事，薛娘卻腹痛如絞，仿佛肝腸寸斷，萬箭鑽心一般的難受。
華云龍雖然刁鑽古怪，如此懲治旁人卻是第一遭。眼見薛娘哀號滾動的慘狀，心頭頓覺不安，飄身上前，一指點去，打算先閉住薛娘的穴道，再來問話。但聽薛娘嘶叫道：“姑娘拚命啊，殺了這小子，老爺的性命就保住了。”嘶叫聲中，貼地一滾，張臂向華云龍雙足抱去。
華云龍渾身汗毛一豎，怒聲道：“華某的生死，與你老爺的性命有何關系？”飛起一腳，將那薛娘踢出丈外，她的身子直向廚房摔去。玄衣少女欺身進擊，突然一劍，猛地襲了過來。
華云龍怒不可遏，左手奪劍，右手一指點去，口中喝道：“趕快將話講明，姓甚名誰？何人的女兒？有何苦衷？爲何定要取華某的性命？”話聲中，雙掌翻飛，緊緊逼迫不舍。
那玄衣少女此時雙目噙淚，短劍狂揮，步步后退，但卻咬緊牙關，默然不語。突然一陣濃煙沖入草堂，竈上閃起一片火光。若論華云龍的武功，料理這玄衣少女綽綽有余，可是在他骨髓之中，潛伏著風流的本性，與年輕美貌的女子動手，不自覺的特別手軟。
他一心只想奪劍而不傷人，急促之間，那便難以如願了。眨眼間，火光撲入了草堂。忽見薛娘披頭散發，嘶聲大叫，雙手高舉兩支燃燒的火把，瘋狂似的由廚下撲了出來。華云龍驚急交迸，出指如風，倏地點在玄衣少女肩井之上，左手一翻，奪下她手中的短劍。
薛娘大吼一聲，火把一揮，猛地向華云龍臉上掃去。華云龍短劍一擺，「唰」的一聲，反擊過去。那玄衣少女被華云龍點住穴道，雙臂下垂，無法動彈，但她雙腿尚能活動，這時身子突然一撲，直向短劍迎去。華云龍瞿然一驚，此時茅屋中濃煙彌漫，火光耀眼，那薛娘瘋子一般不顧生死，華云龍只防玄衣少女脫逃，卻未料到她尋短見，倉猝之中，擰腰一轉，避過薛娘擊來的火把，就勢移開了短劍。
那玄衣少女挺身迎劍，動作又猛又快，華云龍雖然速移短劍，玄衣少女的肩頭依舊爲短劍割破，血流如注，傷勢亦自不輕。茅草房屋，燃燒極快，眨眼間火勢熊熊，已成燎原之勢。華云龍心中暗道：“這主仆二人悍不畏死，倒是不好處置。”
他隱隱覺得，這二人縱然不是「玄冥教」的屬下，也必是身世淒涼、遭遇悲慘之人，眼看火勢已大，急忙抓起玄衣少女，反身朝外面沖去。薛娘厲笑不歇，火把狂揮，擋住了去路。華云龍怒聲喝道：“不知死活的瘋子。”短劍疾振，「靈蛇吐信」，突然刺去。
薛娘腹痛如絞，全靠一種狂暴的力量支持未倒，這一劍玄奧無匹，薛娘如何抵擋得住。可是，華云龍的目光，忽然觸到她那傷痕累累的臉龐，火光照耀下，那臉龐皮開肉綻，汗出如漿，筋肉抽搐，顫動不已，蒼白的膚色與血紅的疤痕形成強烈的對比，再經火光照耀，更顯得觸目驚心，恐怖至極。
華云龍突然想到，不知是誰手段如此毒辣，竟然將一個女子的臉面傷成這等厲鬼模樣。這念頭閃電般掠過心頭，想到那下手之人的殘酷，手中的短劍，再也不忍刺入薛娘身上，當下短劍一收，左手一揮，將玄衣少女猛然推了過去。
薛娘身子一側，讓過玄衣少女，厲聲叫道：“姑娘先退。”她似是定要將華云龍燒死，火把狂揮不歇，仍然擋住華云龍的去路。
那玄衣少女連竄幾步，沖到門邊，右腿一擡，就勢向大門踹去。砰然一聲響，大門被一腳踹開，玄衣少女大步沖出了茅屋。華云龍面朝大門，這時突然發現，門外已是一片火海，火勢比屋中更大。此時，屋頂已經著火，那薛娘狂聲大笑，火把飛舞，拚命阻住華云龍奔出屋外。
華云龍真是又驚又怒，當下再不猶豫，短劍一揮，削斷了薛娘手中的火把，身形一晃，疾向屋外掠去，薛娘也就擋他不住了。這茅屋之外，四周俱是荒草，這時火勢燎原，竟無一處可通，華云龍沖出大門，正自苦無脫身之計，忽聽「嗖」的一聲，一支長箭，卻又迎面射來。
華云龍短劍一擡，將那迎面射來的長箭擊落在地。不料一陣勁風，又複撲到了身后，華云龍轉面一望，但見薛娘十指箕張，已自隨后趕到。華云龍怒不可抑，反手一撈，身子順勢一旋，抓住了薛娘的后頸。適在此時，又有一箭射來，華云龍抓住薛娘，順勢一揮，那支長箭，頓時射入薛娘的小腿，薛娘痛徹心肺，厲聲慘叫。
但聞一陣「嗖嗖」之聲，滿空長箭，飛蝗般射到。華云龍劍眉一蹙，抓著薛娘，一面閃避，一面繞屋而行，轉了一圈，看出約有三十余人，潛伏在草叢之內，隔著大火，遙遙放箭，但那玄衣少女卻已不知去向。這時華云龍反而定下心來。
原來四處大火，看去厲害，但荒草不耐燃燒，轉眼工夫，枯草已將燃盡，借著屋外的空地，閃避敵箭，倒也不慮傷亡，只是處身烈火之中，灼熱如焚，渾身汗濕，感覺十分難耐罷了。忽的轟然一聲，茅屋倒塌下來，華云龍右手短劍撥打亂箭，左手提著薛娘，四處閃動。不多時，聽到遠處響起一聲尖厲的哨音，亂箭便應聲而止。
這時，燃燒的蔓草尚未熄滅，華云龍知道敵人正在撤退，苦于火勢未盡，不能追敵，勉強等了片刻，始才提著薛娘，踏著余燼，急急追了過去。那哨音起自一座土坡，華云龍手提薛娘，大步沖了上去。

晨光微曦，曠野間一片迷蒙。華云龍登上土坡，運足目力，四下搜索敵蹤。忽見數十丈外，另一座土坡之上，靜悄悄立著一匹紅馬，鞍上坐著一個紅衣人。那紅馬挺拔軒昂、神駿非凡，紅衣人卻是一體態豐腴、嬌豔如花的少女。
這時，一輪紅日正由東方天際緩緩升起，燦爛的陽光伸展開來，轉眼間，光被四野，映照在那紅衣麗人身上，將這靜谧的曠野，點綴得絢麗引人。須臾，蹄聲「得得」，那紅馬緩步踱了過來，華云龍手提薛娘，不覺迎了上去。雙方走近，齊齊停了下來，四道眼神，緊緊糾纏在一起，兩人的臉上，也同時綻開了笑容。
寂然片刻，華云龍拱一拱手，笑道：“早啊。”
那紅衣少女嫣然一笑，也道：“早啊。”
華云龍面色可親，道：“請教？”
紅衣少女抿一抿嘴，揚起白嫩豐腴的手臂，手中多了一柄碧綠晶瑩的玉鈎。華云龍初涉江湖，雖然見到這獨特的兵器，依舊不知紅衣少女是誰。紅衣少女這才燦然道：“阮紅玉，貴姓大名？”
華云龍刁鑽古怪，暗暗忖道：“你叫紅玉，我就叫白琦吧。”心念轉動，朗聲笑道：“在下白琦。”
阮紅玉容色一動，那水汪汪的眼睛，重新又向華云龍臉上掃來。華云龍形貌美好，恍若璧人，又是個玩世不恭的性情，這阮紅玉容貌冶豔，灑脫不羁，兩人遇在一起，眉目傳情，你望我，我望你，大有一拍即合、相見恨晚之勢。
那薛娘被華云龍提在手中，脈穴被制，身子無法轉動，這時腹痛雖止，但腿上插著一支長箭，痛得要命，她雖然看不見兩人，卻也知兩人眉來眼去，一時之間，怒不可抑，拉開嗓門，蓦地大吼一聲。這一吼，恍若晴天霹雳，驚得那紅馬昂首長嘶，兀立而起，幾乎將阮紅玉掀下馬來。華云龍也吃了一驚，手臂一揮，將薛娘扔了出去。
薛娘就勢一滾，坐在地上，大聲吼道：“那是我家姑娘的寶劍，快快還我。”
華云龍微微一笑，道：“看你不出，倒有些英雄氣概。”右手一揚，將那短劍擲了過去。
薛娘伸手接住短劍，割開腿肉，抓住箭杆，拔出長箭，也不包扎，身子一挺，霍地躍了起來。阮紅玉一望她那傷痕累累的臉龐，眉頭一皺，匆匆轉過臉去。薛娘怒聲喝道：“狗賤婢。”舉手一揚，手中長箭猛地向阮紅玉臉門飛去。
阮紅玉勃然大怒，玉鈎一揮，擊落長箭，缰繩一提，便待縱馬沖去，忽又心意一變，冷冷問道：“那穿黑衣的女子是你什麽人？”
華云龍接口說道：“那是薛娘的主人。”
阮紅玉目注薛娘，鄙夷不屑地道：“殺你這種人，汙了姑娘的兵器。”玉鈎一揚，指著遠處一叢灌木，接道：“你那主子藏在樹叢后面，你叫她前來會我。”薛娘目光轉動，遙遙望見那叢灌木，又看看華云龍，醜怪的臉上，忽然掠過一片憂慮之色。
華云龍淡然一笑，道：“我知道你挂念主人的安危。”他說著擺一擺手，又道：“去吧，咱們的賬，改日再算。”
薛娘呆了一呆，冷冷一哼，道：“你雖放我離去，下次見面，我仍要取你性命。”
華云龍啞然笑道：“下次落在我的手中，我也不再饒你了。”
薛娘冷然一哼，眼望阮紅玉，「呸」的一聲，吐了口唾沫，手提短劍，昂然朝那灌木樹叢走去。阮紅玉臉上殺機頓現，突然左手一揚，一縷烏光，電閃而出，急襲薛娘背后。這一縷烏光去勢如電，毫無破空之聲，薛娘未曾提防，眼看將要被那暗器擊中。
Hua Yunlong couldn't bear it and shouted, "Watch out for hidden weapons!" Xue Niang was very alert. Upon hearing the words "hidden weapons," she suddenly lunged forward, and a blue, poisoned gold needle shot into her hair.
Ruan Hongyu turned her face and looked at Hua Yunlong, scolding, "You can't tell friend from foe, what kind of江湖 (jianghu, the martial arts world) are you running around in?"
Hua Yunlong laughed and said, "Those who use underhanded tactics to harm others are not heroes. My concern for your reputation is a well-intentioned act."
Ruan Hongyu coldly replied, "Hmph, I thought you loved her because of her master."
Hua Yunlong said in a serious tone, "Xue Niang's mistress is indeed a girl who is loved by everyone and has high moral character."
Xue Niang had already walked two or three zhang away when she suddenly came back, picked up the long arrow from the ground, and said to Hua Yunlong, "Considering you are a man, I will say a few words. Whether you listen or not is entirely up to you." With a twist of her hands, she snapped the long arrow in two with a "crack".
Hua Yunlong clasped his hands in a respectful gesture and said, "I am deeply grateful for your guidance."
Lady Xue threw the broken arrow on the ground and said coldly, "The Xuanming Sect has followers all over the world, and its power is beyond your imagination. If you know what's good for you, you should hurry home and persuade your parents to let the whole family retire and avoid this calamity."
Hua Yunlong nodded and asked, "Are you and your servant also subordinates of the 'Xuanming Sect'?"
Madam Xue calmly replied, "The Xuanming Sect recruits only the best martial arts masters in the world. My servant and I are of mediocre skill; even if we wanted to join the Xuanming Sect, it would be difficult to achieve our goal."
Hua Yunlong said, "Then what grudge do you and your servant have against me? Why are you so determined to take my life?"
Xue Niang said, "I'm sorry I can't tell you that. Anyway, your martial arts are superior to mine and mine. As long as you are careful, you can save your life."
Hua Yunlong asked, "What if we're not careful?"
Xue Niang coldly replied, "Then I can only blame you for your short life."
Hua Yunlong chuckled dryly and said, "Thank you for your guidance. If I survive, I will be eternally grateful."
Xue Niang snorted coldly, pointed at Ruan Hongyu, and said, "This woman's nickname is 'Jade Hook Lady,' a notorious slut in the martial world. Even if I want to kill you, I don't want you to die at the hands of such a lowly woman. You'd better not associate with her. Killing her with one sword would be even better." Suddenly, a red shadow flashed, and Ruan Hongyu, without a sound, pounced through the air. Her emerald green jade hook flashed with a dazzling rainbow, swiftly descending upon Xue Niang's head.
Xue Niang laughed fiercely and shouted, "You lowly dog! Even though my martial arts skills are mediocre, I don't even consider someone like you worthy of my attention." With that shout, she swiftly raised her short sword and unleashed a move called "Raising Fire to the Sky" to meet the jade hook.
With a clang, the hooked swords clashed, jade and metal clashing, as the two exchanged three lightning-fast blows. After these three moves, both knew they had met a formidable opponent and immediately unleashed their unique skills, vying for the initiative and fighting relentlessly. Hua Yunlong watched the battle with his hands behind his back, a broad smile on his face. Suddenly, Xue Niang shouted, her short sword flashing as she parried the jade hook, her left hand reaching out to grab. The sharp finger strike cut through the air with a piercing sound, extremely fierce. Ruan Hongyu had not expected her opponent to be so powerful. Seeing the long, sharp, and jet-black claw suddenly attack her waist, she was startled, her composure shattered, and she was at a loss for what to do.
But then Hua Yunlong shouted, "The wind sways the willows, the moon shines overhead." Upon hearing the words "swaying in the wind," Ruan Hongyu instinctively twisted her waist and flicked her jade hook, striking a pose reminiscent of "the bright moon overhead," easily breaking through Xue Niang's attack.
Madam Xue roared, "You little servant, have you no shame?"
Hua Yunlong laughed and said, "It would be a pity if this girl died."
Xue Niang secretly thought, "With this boy's help, I can't kill this lowly servant girl." At this thought, her fighting spirit diminished, and she considered retreating. Ruan Hongyu was overjoyed, wielding her jade hook in rapid succession, launching a fierce attack that forced Xue Niang to retreat repeatedly. In the blink of an eye, Ruan Hongyu gained the upper hand. With each swing of her jade hook, a series of attacks—"The Moon's Shadow Slants Westward," "The Beaded Curtain Rolls Back," and "The Flower Shadow Brushes the Sword"—the onslaught was like a mighty river, rolling down relentlessly, forcing Xue Niang to only parry and leaving her powerless to retaliate. Enraged, Xue Niang roared incessantly.
Suddenly, Ruan Hongyu let out a delicate shout, and with a flick of her left hand, a poisoned gold needle shot out like lightning. Xue Niang raised her short sword, knocking the needle away, and then swept it horizontally, aiming sharply at Ruan Hongyu's left wrist. A crisp "clang" rang out, and Ruan Hongyu swung her jade hook, deflecting the short sword, and then raised her left hand again. Xue Niang swiftly dodged the poisoned needle, but Ruan Hongyu had tricked her; this time, no poisoned needle was shot.
Xue Niang gritted her teeth, about to thrust her sword, when suddenly a flash of golden light shot towards her. Unable to dodge in time, she could only roll away hastily. Ruan Hongyu laughed loudly, and the jade hook in her hand suddenly flashed with azure light, forming a net-like canopy that descended upon them. Hua Yunlong's expression changed drastically. He hadn't expected Ruan Hongyu to possess another secret technique besides the "Crimson Curtain Hook Technique." Xue Niang was in grave danger, and he cried out in alarm, "Wraiths entangle my feet! Five ghosts..."
Xue Niang, already wounded by an arrow in her leg and unable to move easily, was overwhelmed by the sight of the hooked figure and the dazzling green clouds. Just as she was filled with despair and resigned herself to certain death, she suddenly heard the words "the vengeful spirit clings to the feet." Instantly, she swung her short sword, swiftly slashing at Ruan Hongyu's feet, while her left hand, with fingers curled like hooks, fiercely grabbed at Ruan Hongyu's waist. These sword strikes and grabs were ordinary moves, but their brilliance lay in their combined use. They served both self-defense and to neutralize the enemy's attack, and were a perfectly timed response to Ruan Hongyu's attack.
Ruan Hongyu was furious and shouted, "You brat, whose side are you on?"
Hua Yunlong laughed loudly, "My surname is Bai, and my given name is Qi. I'm not called 'rascal'."
Ruan Hongyu angrily said, "If you're going to help that ugly woman, you might as well get involved yourself."
Hua Yunlong laughed and said, "I uphold justice and will not take sides." Suddenly, a series of "clanging" sounds were heard as hooked swords clashed. The two men were startled and took a step back, stopping their fight.
Ruan Hongyu glanced back at Hua Yunlong, her face full of coquettishness, and said, "You surnamed Bai, don't you think this is inexplicable?"
Hua Yunlong chuckled, thinking to himself, "This Ruan Hongyu is stunningly beautiful, with a captivating figure; she's a flirtatious beauty. No wonder she's nicknamed 'Jade Hook Lady.'" His mind raced, and he couldn't help but smile broadly, his gaze lingering on her voluptuous and alluring figure. Just then, a delicate fragrance wafted on the breeze, reaching Hua Yunlong's nose.

He was intoxicated, saying, "Mmm, so fragrant." He sniffed a few times, then recited, "Rosy clouds, flowing robes, rosy cheeks, a tender heart, a sweet fragrance… Mmm, it truly is a sweet fragrance."
It turned out that Ruan Hongyu had a daphne flower hidden under her flesh. Hearing this, he couldn't help but smile. He looked back at Hua Yunlong and said, "Even if you have a good nose, you can't tell the difference."
Hua Yunlong placed his left hand on his sword, flicked his right sleeve, and laughed heartily, "I have no other skills, but I do have some experience in climbing flowers and breaking willows."
Ruan Hongyu, with a seductive air, said, "So you're an old gardener. My apologies."
Seeing the two of them exchanging glances and chatting merrily, Xue Niang cursed them inwardly. Suddenly, a thought flashed through her mind, and she thought, "Oh no! One of them is a slut, and the other is a seasoned womanizer. If they get together, I'll be dead!" With this thought, she was terrified and, ignoring the pain in her leg, she ran away as fast as she could.
Upon seeing this, Hua Yunlong and Ruan Hongyu looked at each other and burst into laughter. In an instant, the atmosphere of conflict dissipated, and the atmosphere became extremely harmonious.

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The Great Hero's Soul, Chapter Eight: Perilous Encounter in the Funeral Hall, a Mystery Within a Mystery

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