[Fantasy] Immortal Cultivation of the Heart (Complete) - 34-36

Chapter Five: The Three-Fighting Peerless

Heavenly Dragon Gang's attack on Xiangjun Manor failed, and most of their forces quietly dispersed. However, in a small town not far from the town, Bai Xiaotian and Bai Junyi set up camp and settled in a small manor.

Li Se, having heard the news, was not surprised. After discussing it with Chu Liuguang, Gu Xiangjun, and the other women, she went to visit them alone. The doorman led Li Se to a small lake and then left.

Bai Xiaotian and Bai Junyi were fishing by the lake, and they greeted Li Se with smiles. Bai Junyi, dressed in green, was beautiful and charming; Li Se glanced at her once, then dared not look again.

Li Se approached Bai Xiaotian and said, "Senior, your refined taste is truly remarkable! If I have disturbed you, then I shall take my leave and visit again another day."

Bai Xiaotian smiled and said, "It's no trouble at all. Are you afraid that your words will disturb my fishing? I am merely pursuing this leisurely pursuit, not truly intending to fish."

Li Se said, "I see. Uncle, you use the name of the people as bait, harboring ambitions to conquer the world, just like your fishing."

Bai Xiaotian said, "I thought you were truly a man of great talent and skill. In the future, not only will the martial world be yours, but you will likely dominate the entire world, becoming a person second only to the emperor."

Li Se said, "Uncle, you flatter me. Right now, the Heavenly Dragon Gang is strong, and our six major sects are weak. As long as Uncle..." "Please have mercy on us and let us live, even if it means we're barely surviving. We'd be eternally grateful."

Bai Junyi interjected, "What the Alliance Leader says is so pitiful, yet it doesn't match his status of commanding hundreds and thousands of followers!"

Li Se said, "Even if you're right, what use is my prestige? You're determined to destroy our six major sects. Your Tianlong Gang is powerful, but I can only be powerful for a few more days. Then you'll destroy our six major sects, and the martial world will all be yours. You'll be the ones with the prestige then!"

Bai Junyi said, "The six major sects are harming the people. Shouldn't they be eliminated?"

Li Se said, "I don't think it's that simple. Isn't saving people better than killing them? You know I have the ability to change the six sects, and can..." "You've been trying to resolve the issue of the six major sects no longer exploiting the people, but you see my exceptional intelligence, martial arts skills, and handsome appearance, and you're jealous of me. You fear I'll become the most famous and influential figure in the martial arts world, while Uncle Bai has been the most influential figure in the martial arts world for the past ten years. Therefore, you're suppressing me and determined to kill me. Where is your true concern for the people of the world?"

Bai Xiaotian chuckled and said, "Boy, I misjudged you. Your words just now were childish and laughable, not worth a second glance, like a child's. With your limited understanding, how can you be worthy of being my opponent?"

Bai Junyi also showed disdain. Li Se angrily said, "I'm not worthy of being your opponent? Fine, then I'll ask you, what about the treaty we signed?" "Does it still count?"

Bai Xiaotian and his daughter exchanged a glance. Bai Xiaotian said

, "Of course it counts, but you haven't received the court's approval to operate the salt business yet, so our two factions will naturally continue to fight." Li Se angrily retorted, "Are you saying I'm incompetent and can't get the court's order? Let me tell you, I, Li Se, am deeply favored by the Emperor, and besides, this is a matter of great benefit to the court. I refuse to believe I can't do it. Fine, I'll go back and send someone to the capital to lobby. If you have

the guts, don't bother my people in the capital." Bai Junyi sneered, "Go ahead and send people. Are you afraid our Tianlong Gang will send people to intercept and kill you?"

Li Se snorted and turned away, looking furious and determined to prove them wrong.

Sure enough, a few hours later, a Tianlong Gang scout reported that Xue Yaoguang and Wang Bao'er had been escorted back to the capital, requesting permission to send people to track and kill them.

Bai Xiaotian frowned and said, "Let them reach the capital safely." After the others had dispersed, he said to Bai Junyi, "Daughter, that brat Li Se used a provocation tactic to get us to release his people to the capital. It seems like a childish and laughable method, but it's quite effective. Do you think we've really fallen for his trick?"

Bai Junyi smiled and said, "Father, don't worry. Does he think sending Xue Yaoguang and Wang Bao'er to the capital will get him such a lucrative position? We just need to send a message to the Prince of Han, and he'll handle everything. It's difficult to accomplish something, but it's very easy to ruin it."

Bai Xiaotian hesitated and said, "I don't think things are that simple."

"Father, don't worry, Li Se isn't very capable. I won't misjudge him," Bai Junyi said .

Bai Xiaotian said, "Let's hope so! This kid is very strange. He always does things unexpectedly and can't be judged by common sense. It seems that even naive and laughable things can work wonders for him. Let's see how things develop!"

Xue Yaoguang and Wang Bao'er arrived in the capital and, as Li Se had instructed, visited Yang Shiqi and Yang Rong, two important officials of the court. They brought Li Se's letter and, as instructed by Mr. Jiao, explained in detail the benefits of Li Se establishing the salt guild, and what benefits it would bring to the court and the people if Li Se were to manage the salt business.

Yang Shiqi and Yang Rong already valued Li Se, and seeing that Xue Yaoguang's words made a lot of sense, and that Li Se was a favorite of the emperor, they thought that if Li Se were to manage the salt business, the emperor might grant permission. Moreover, many officials were involved in salt smuggling, which was repeatedly prohibited but not stopped. If Li Se were to manage it, it would be able to crack down on those who were profiting illegally.

Yang Shiqi and Yang Rong jointly submitted a memorial, forwarding Li Se's report, to the Crown Prince, who was overseeing the state. The

Crown Prince, recognizing the gravity of the matter, consulted the Yongle Emperor. However, for several days, Zhu Di remained noncommittal. Knowing the gravity of the situation and that the Emperor was weighing the pros and cons, Yang Shiqi and Yang Rong seized the opportunity to speak, but the Emperor's attitude remained ambiguous. Sensing something was amiss, they investigated further and discovered

that the Prince of Han was using this opportunity to secure the position. Seeing the situation had changed, they had no choice but to tell Xue Yaoguang the truth. Xue Yaoguang hadn't expected things to become so complicated; she felt she had been working for someone else's benefit. Having grown up in the capital, she was familiar with the various government officials and had carefully arranged everything, but the Prince of Han had intervened.

Remembering Chu Liuguang's quiet instructions before her departure, Xue Yaoguang sighed and went directly to see Empress Yang Yingyun as instructed.

Yang Yingyun was still at Wuxiang Temple. After hearing what Xue Yaoguang had said, she simply smiled and said, "Don't worry, Madam, leave this to me."

Although Xue Yaoguang knew Yang Yingyun was highly skilled, she thought she was just clever and had a high reputation in the martial arts world, but she had no connection with the court and no powerful backer. How could she possibly accomplish such a great task? She was surprised that Yang Yingyun agreed so easily and was suspicious.

After seeing Xue Yaoguang off, Yang Yingyun wrote a letter to Princess Zhu Wushuang, saying that she would be leaving the capital the next day to travel far away in the martial arts world.

The next morning, Yang Yingyun stood on the peak of Wuxiang Mountain, overlooking thousands of mountains and valleys hidden in the clouds. Flowers and willows were everywhere on the cliff edge, reflecting purple and gold. The sky was high and clear, the mid-sky was azure, and the sunrise was red, scattering like silk. As Yang Yingyun was admiring the scenery, she suddenly heard a clear whistle in the distance, and then she saw a person flying in from the distant sky, elegant and otherworldly, like a god.

The woman appeared beside Yang Yingyun in the blink of an eye, her beautiful face radiant and spirited. She smiled and said, "Sister is about to embark on a long journey, and I've come to see you off."

Yang Yingyun replied, "Princess, there's no need for such formality. We are destined to meet again in the martial world."

Princess Zhu Wushuang said, "It's not the same. Since you taught me a lesson twice, I've diligently cultivated my skills and now feel I've achieved some success. I want to spar with you, and I can't contain myself. How could I let you go so easily?"

Yang Yingyun said, "Ah! Princess, your spirited demeanor and greatly improved skills are immediately apparent. I concede defeat, Princess, please spare me!"

Zhu Wushuang laughed, "The Sword Queen is still so polite. Using softness to overcome hardness—if you didn't want another fight with me, why would you send someone to inform me of your departure? Come, come, come, try my new moves!"

Before Yang Yingyun could speak again, Zhu Wushuang launched an attack.

He unleashed a string of pearls from his wrist, which flew up and transformed into a ten-zhang-long rainbow, carrying eight golden orbs as large as bowls. The rainbow first entangled Yang Yingyun, then suddenly flew towards her, striking her.

Yang Yingyun remained calm, drawing her sword. The golden light shattered the rainbow into pieces.

Zhu Wushuang said, "These are treasures of our royal family! How dare you destroy them? You have committed a grave crime!" As he spoke, he used magic again.

Yang Yingyun cried out, "Princess, spare my life! As long as you don't kill me, I'm willing to accept any other punishment! I'll just give you more money."

Zhu Wushuang laughed and scolded, "Such a sharp tongue! Stop acting. You're like an adult pretending to be a little girl, so fake and disgusting."

Yang Yingyun immediately calmed down and innocently said, "I'm just cooperating with Your Highness! If you don't like jokes, then forget it."

Zhu Wushuang remained as composed as a mountain and said, "I was indeed inferior to you before, but after these days of training, I have entered another realm. Everyone in the martial world says that the Sword Queen is the best in the world, and today I will win that title for my sect."

With that, a rainbow appeared in his hand, and a piece of cloth transformed into a long sword, slashing towards Yang Yingyun.

Seeing that the momentum was unstoppable, Yang Yingyun flew down the mountain from the peak, and Zhu Wushuang chased after her. The valley was shrouded in mist, and Yang Yingyun and Zhu Wushuang soared through it. A wind rose, and the mist surged like a tide, its waves crashing against the mountains, making the two women seem to fight against the current.

Each woman unleashed her ultimate techniques, leaping and tumbling through the mist, scattering it in all directions. As the battle reached its climax, Zhu Wushuang released golden needles. These tiny needles were difficult to spot in the mist and could dissipate true energy, making them incredibly powerful. Seeing she couldn't withstand the attack, Yang Yingyun used a movement technique to conceal herself, disappearing into the mist.

Seeing Yang Yingyun evade, Zhu Wushuang unleashed her inner power, instantly transforming her eyes into a pair of emerald eyes, their sharp light shooting out for tens of feet. Spotting Yang Yingyun, she fired her golden needles. Sensing something amiss, Yang Yingyun swiftly rose into the air, dodging diagonally.

But Zhu Wushuang had already ascended to the heavens in an instant, standing motionless at a great height. Muttering incantations, first came the faint rumble of thunder on the ground, then a blinding flash of lightning, thinly layered along the edge of the mist, rising from the bottom and instantly filling the valley's clouds. Just as it reached the center of the mist, it ignited like explosives, unleashing a deafening roar that shook the earth. Then, two silver streaks flashed wildly in the air, followed by a hail of lightning and fire, striking Yang Yingyun, hidden in the mist. The trees and rocks on the cliff edge were mostly crushed by the thunder, the booming sounds echoing each other, their power astonishing. This was Zhu Wushuang's Earth Core Thunder.

But that wasn't all. Zhu Wushuang then rubbed his hands together, unleashing Heavenly Thunder. A deafening roar shook the heavens, and divine thunder erupted from above and below, threatening to pulverize Yang Yingyun.

Yang Yingyun, already floating in mid-air, had no chance to dodge the chaotic lightning and flying debris. At this most critical moment, a beam of light suddenly shot out, merging with Yang Yingyun's, swift as lightning, soaring through the air like a streak of light, flying out of the lightning strike circle. It turned out that Yang Yingyun had merged with her sword, dodging Zhu Wushuang's thunderous attack.

However, before Yang Yingyun could even catch her breath, a large bell descended upon her, trapping her inside. Yang Yingyun was shocked; she slashed her sword at the top of the bell, then used its force to descend, but divine thunder roared, her ears rang, and she could hear nothing. Her body was also restrained, unable to move.

Having suffered this great calamity, Yang Yingyun instantly regained her senses. She silently channeled all her inner strength, closed her senses, and then used her sword to clear a path, flying towards the light. Sword energy filled the air, finally opening an exit, and she flew into the air. However, her heart was filled with turmoil, and she could no longer hold on.

Yang Yingyun, utterly exhausted, plummeted from the air onto the cliff face. Zhu Wushuang, however, descended slowly from the sky, her demeanor incredibly graceful, like a fairy descending to earth. Zhu Wushuang smiled and said, "You've lost. Are you convinced? Do you want to fight again?"

Zhu Wushuang's provocation had thrown Yang Yingyun off balance. Although the Sword Queen had lost one move, she might still have powerful moves to unleash! Therefore, although Zhu Wushuang appeared relaxed, he was inwardly tense, raising his power to its maximum to guard against a counterattack from the legendary Sword Queen, whose martial arts were said to be unfathomable, in a fit of rage.

Unexpectedly, Yang Yingyun suddenly spat out a mouthful of blood, saying, "The 'Moving Technique' you used... it moved the great bell from Wuxiang Temple, didn't it? Alas! I... I've lost!"

This greatly surprised Zhu Wushuang. Perhaps it was because her long-cherished wish had been fulfilled, and she couldn't accept it. She felt that victory had come so easily, making it hard to believe. Zhu Wushuang was stunned and speechless.

Yang Yingyun sighed softly, "I, a disciple of the Hidden Lake School, have roamed the martial world with few defeats, yet today I've been defeated by a woman like you. Ah, well, it's alright, the title of 'Sword Queen' can finally be removed. From now on, my disciples won't have to worry about this anymore."

Seeing Yang Yingyun's sorrowful expression, Zhu Wushuang calmed down, concealing her inner joy, and said, "Sister Yang, don't be sad. In the martial world, no one is invincible. Your disciples of the Hidden Lake School have roamed the martial world for a hundred years, almost without a defeat. Even if you've lost today, you can still be proud. Besides, you are naturally intelligent. This defeat will only motivate you to strive harder, and your future achievements may far surpass those of your predecessors!"

Yang Yingyun said, "Thank you for your comfort, Princess. I was truly too careless and underestimated your progress. I never imagined that you could cast aside the troubles of worldly affairs and reach a state of selflessness and detachment." Zhu Wushuang said, “

Worldly affairs, with their entanglements of love and hate, are utterly boring. Ultimately, we cannot escape birth, aging, sickness, and death. What good is it if we don't forget or see through them? Only by cultivating immortality and attaining the Dao can we achieve lasting happiness!”

Yang Yingyun said, “Yes! Your cultivation is profound, Princess. From now on, the Lishan Sect will flourish under your leadership.”

Zhu Wushuang, radiant, said, “You’re too kind. I only defeated you once; perhaps you will win back in the future!”

Yang Yingyun sighed, “No! I will never be worthy of being your opponent again. I cannot see through worldly affairs, unlike Your Highness, whose cultivation is so profound that you can sever ties of affection. I lied to Your Highness, saying Li Se was a lecherous scoundrel, thinking that what I couldn’t do, Your Highness couldn’t do either. I thought you would be trapped in the sea of love, unable to extricate yourself, filled with contradictions and pain. But Your Highness is no ordinary person, not a mortal…” "Love is nothing but a fleeting memory in the princess's heart, vanishing afterward. I never expected her to forget him. The princess is a woman of great wisdom; I am but an ordinary maid, unable to see through the ways of the world. I am utterly defeated by the princess."

Hearing Yang Yingyun's words of submission, Zhu Wushuang felt as if a thunderbolt had struck her heart. Only one thought occupied her mind: "She was deceiving me, using words as swords to wound me! Li Se loves me; he didn't deceive me! I wronged him! I'm so sorry!"

Zhu Wushuang seemed lost in thought, unsure whether to feel joy or sorrow, her mind adrift. Suddenly, a flash of insight struck her: "The sword queen is deceiving me! She's still fighting me." She regained her clarity and said, "Whether it's parents or lovers, in the end, it's ourselves who accompany us. In solitude..." On the journey of life, who else can accompany you all the way? Since that's the case, why should we pursue those illusory things so desperately? Whether Li Se loves me or deceives me, our fate will eventually separate us one day. A day sooner or a day later, what difference does it make?

Yang Yingyun said forlornly, "Yes! The princess is so right, but I can't forget him. I always think that I should spend each day with him as it comes, so that even if we separate in the future, we can have more happy memories. I want him to be happy and joyful. Even if it means burning myself out, I want him to be happy and joyful, like a moth drawn to a flame, making the fire burn brighter. As for myself, I've long forgotten about it."

Zhu Wushuang thought, "Was I really wrong? Was I really selfish? My distrust of Li Lang was actually because I couldn't forget my pursuit of immortality; I was just looking for an excuse to leave him! I…"

After saying these words, Yang Yingyun turned and slowly walked away. She had only taken a few steps when she heard a soft "poof" behind her. Yang Yingyun smiled slightly, knowing that Zhu Wushuang had coughed up blood. Yang Yingyun didn't turn back and continued walking slowly. Although she wore a smile, she was unhappy inside. Even though she knew she had defeated Zhu Wushuang once again, what did it matter?

Yang Yingyun walked slowly through the valley. The birdsong and fragrant flowers made for a truly delightful scene, but Yang Yingyun seemed oblivious, her heart neither joy nor sorrow, as still as a deep well. She took a deep breath, found a dry spot, and sat down, thinking, "Should I hope Zhu Wushuang comes looking for me soon, or not?"

Yang Yingyun chuckled to herself, thinking, "My Dao heart is still insufficient; it's filled with jealousy. Human nature is truly hard to extinguish!"

Just as Yang Yingyun was thinking this, suddenly footsteps sounded, and Zhu Wushuang appeared before her like a whirlwind, saying, "Sister, so you're here! I've been looking for you!"

Yang Yingyun was surprised; she hadn't expected Zhu Wushuang to arrive so quickly, far exceeding her expectations. Looking up, she saw Zhu Wushuang's clear, innocent eyes, and her surprise deepened.

Zhu Wushuang squatted down, tilting his head to look at Yang Yingyun, and asked, "What do you mean by love?"

Yang Yingyun remained silent for a long time, knowing that Zhu Wushuang was intelligent and still honing his skills, she suppressed her jealousy and selfishness before softly saying, "Love is giving. The greatest satisfaction for a person lies in bringing happiness to others, and thus making oneself happy as well; this is especially true of love. If we only selfishly seek happiness and fulfill our own desires, we will never find it. The more we search, the more setbacks and disappointments we encounter. If we can give joyfully, without calculating gains and losses, that is true love. Seeing your loved one live happily is such a great happiness! If you are always calculating your own gains and losses, then you don't love him enough! That's not love."

Zhu Wushuang smiled and said, "Yes! How come I never thought of that before! Actually, it's not that I don't love him, but it's just a habit I've had since childhood... " Accompanying me, I became accustomed to thinking that only pursuing the path of immortality was my greatest joy and happiness, my true dream. When I abruptly severed my love, I was initially glad I had woken up quickly. But suddenly, in an instant, I felt an indescribable change in my entire being. Suddenly thinking of his expression, his every move, I realized I was no longer the same person. Honor, face, and competitiveness were no longer important. As for wealth and glory, they were long gone from my sight. I came to beg my sister so quickly, without a trace of reluctance in my heart. I did things for him without any reservations. This is truly joyful and blissful!

Yang Yingyun hadn't expected Zhu Wushuang to break through her inner demons so quickly and come to her. She had broken free from her dreams and stubbornness of more than ten years, broken free from the desire to fight and win, broken free from the desire to cultivate and seek the Dao. What kind of realm was this?

Yang Yingyun silently stared at Zhu Wushuang, speechless.

Zhu Wushuang asked, "I want to know how Li Lang is doing now? How can I get him to forgive me? What does Li Lang need now? How can I do something for him?"

Yang Yingyun smiled complicatedly and said, "He applied to the Emperor for a monopoly on salt administration, but I heard that the Prince of Han is also vying for it. The Emperor is hesitant. If you can help him, he will be overjoyed." Yang Yingyun paused and sighed, "Actually, he has never blamed you. He only feels guilty for not being able to make you happy. If you return to his side, he will only be happy, even more..." "Not to mention you've solved a huge problem for him."

Zhu Wushuang was overjoyed and said, "Alright, I'll go to Father Emperor right now." She got up and started to leave, but after a few steps, she turned back, her face completely calm, and said, "Sister truly deserves the title of Sword Queen. I humbly admit defeat and will never again have the will to fight with you. If you have any orders, I will obey them without question. I hope you will have pity on me and stop toying with me. I am willing to serve you like a slave to repay your kindness." After saying this, she knelt down and bowed.

Yang Yingyun didn't help her up, but simply nodded. Zhu Wushuang got up, smiled, and then left with ease.

Yang Yingyun watched Zhu Wushuang's departing figure, murmuring, "Did I win or lose? Zhu Wushuang is truly formidable! He can admit his mistakes and correct them, acts purely on his conscience, and is not swayed by external praise—he's no ordinary person! Three battles, and the final outcome is still a draw?"

Yang Yingyun suddenly felt desolate, and chuckled self-deprecatingly, "So, I'm the only one left on this path. How utterly boring! I don't even have an opponent anymore. Is this lucky or unlucky? Should I celebrate or grieve?" Chapter Six:

A Complex Intricate Situation.

Li Se used the simplest strategy to ensure Xue Yaoguang and the others' safe passage to the capital. Chu Liuguang and the others suggested that Li Se visit Bai Xiaotian frequently, but Li Se replied, "Although the two families are at war, and envoys are not to be killed, there's no need for me to visit them so often! It's not like I have any..." "Everything can be discussed,"

Gu Xiangjun said. "Li Lang, just go! There's no danger. Even if they ambush you, with your current martial arts skills, you'll be fine even without anyone's help! And if something really happens, we can come to your rescue in time! What are you afraid of?"

Li Se said, "That's not what I'm worried about! It's because I don't have much to talk about with Bai Xiaotian. He's not a young man anymore. If Bai Tingyu were here, visiting him wouldn't be a problem."

Chu Liuguang said, "Brother, why are you making excuses! It's just a chat, nothing to worry about! If people see each other often, they're more likely to develop feelings for each other. Maybe if Bai Xiaotian spends more time with you, you can become friends, and then things in the martial world will be easier to resolve, right?"

Li Se murmured, "There's no other way, only..." "I'll listen to you all. Otherwise, you'd be nagging me all day, and I'd rather spend my time at Bai Xiaotian's!"

Bai Xiaotian's small villa was only a dozen miles from Zhenshan. Li Se visited Bai Xiaotian every morning. At first, Bai Xiaotian was quite polite, but later he started to mock Li Se, saying, "In the battle of Longhu Mountain, you were incredibly imposing, showing the demeanor of a great general. But I didn't expect you to be so long-winded and dull. No matter how I ridicule you, you don't care at all and still come to listen to this old man's scolding. I'm not a girl. What good will you get from pestering me like this? I've told you before, if you really get the power to manage the salt affairs, I won't make things difficult for your six factions anymore. How many times have I said that? Why don't you listen? You still come to bother me..." " Why are you bothering me? If I drive you away, people in the martial arts world will think I, Bai Xiaotian, am petty! But is it acceptable for you to come and visit every day like this? Don't you have anything to do?"

Li Se said, "Senior, your demeanor is pleasant and your speech is elegant. Listening to your teachings is better than reading books for ten years. My master and uncle were famous throughout the world, but they have both passed away. In my opinion, only you have the demeanor of my two masters. Therefore, out of admiration, I come here from time to time to listen to your teachings. Senior, rest assured, I just want to learn something from you. I am not here to bother you or ask you to spare me on the battlefield."

Although Bai Xiaotian knew that Li Se was flattering him, he was still pleased. Although he still did not give Li Se a good look, he stopped being sarcastic.

Bai Xiaotian initially thought, "Good lad, since you don't do your business and come to bother me, do you think I'm afraid of you?" He left everything to Bai Junyi to handle and then waited it out with Li Se.

Li Se, outwardly dull but inwardly brilliant, gradually learned that Bai Xiaotian enjoyed playing chess. He catered to this interest and began playing with Bai Xiaotian. Their skills were evenly matched, resulting in wins and losses, but they enjoyed the game immensely.

However, when Bai Xiaotian discovered that Li Se was charming and could please him, and began to develop feelings for him, he realized something was amiss.

Finally, one day, he secretly left the Huashan Sect's territory. But on the way, he heard the bad news that Li Se was about to obtain the exclusive right to manage the salt affairs, and that the Emperor would soon issue a decree.

If Li Se obtained the exclusive right to manage the salt affairs, the situation in the martial arts world would deteriorate rapidly. Upon receiving this news from the court, Bai Xiaotian's first reaction was that he had been tricked.

Bai Junyi also looked incredulous, saying, "The Prince of Han holds a high position and great power. Even if he can't obtain the salt affairs, can't he stop Li Se from getting it? This guy is amazing!"

Bai Xiaotian said, "I told you this kid has some tricks up his sleeve! But it's not too late. The court hasn't issued a formal appointment yet, and Li Se hasn't had time to announce our agreement. Let's think of a way to ensure he never has time to announce it."

Bai Junyi asked, "Father, do you mean kill him?"

Bai Xiaotian replied, "That's too difficult. There are more effective and simpler methods."

Bai Junyi's eyes lit up, and he smiled, "I know how to deal with him. During the reign of Emperor Shenzong of the Northern Song Dynasty, bandits occupied Liangshan Marsh. The local county magistrate erected a very tall ladder to spy on the bandits hiding among the reeds. When Pu Zongmeng was the prefect of Yunzhou, he simply issued an order: 'No one is allowed to enter or leave the marsh by small boat.'" "In this way, the bandits soon ran out of food and had no choice but to disperse. Victory can be achieved without fighting by striking the enemy's fatal weakness. Li Se's strengths and weaknesses are too obvious.

He succeeds because of this, and he will also fail because of it. I think he's no different from those bandits and thieves."

Bai Xiaotian laughed heartily, "What a clever daughter, so knowledgeable! It's a pity you're not a boy! Otherwise, who in the world could be your match?"

Bai Junyi frowned, "Now there is a woman who can rival me! Chu Liuguang is extremely intelligent, truly a formidable opponent!"

Bai Xiaotian said, "However, I believe my daughter will ultimately prevail."

Bai Junyi smiled broadly . "Don't worry, Father, I won't let you down,"

Li Se said. When he received the news that Bai Xiaotian and the others had left Mount Hua, he felt a little dejected. Gu Xiangjun saw this and laughed, "Young master, are you reluctant to part with Bai Junyi? You look so lost!"

Li Se said, "I went to visit Bai Xiaotian, but I didn't see Bai Junyi. Why would I miss her? You're so jealous."

Gu Xiangjun said, "That's not necessarily true. She's a great beauty in the martial arts world. Look at all the famous beauties, haven't you gotten your hands on them all? It's not surprising that you've taken a liking to Bai Junyi."

Li Se said, "I'm not arguing with you anymore. I have important things to do!" Li Se got up and left. As he walked, he thought about it and realized that he really did miss Bai Junyi. Otherwise, why would her face suddenly flash in his mind?

Li Se then remembered when Bai Junyi was staying at Xiangjun Manor, the four lecherous thieves wanted to use their methods to help him get his hands on Bai Junyi. At that time, Li Se was very angry and refused, but now he felt a little melancholy.

At dusk, Li Se gazed at the sky in a daze. His martial arts skills were now profound, and his view of the world was no longer simplistic; he could see things holistically, not just from one aspect.

The world was truly complex, and Li Se was constantly troubled. He had beautiful wives and concubines, yet he always felt something was missing. It seemed the path of cultivation was still very difficult!

Putting aside these things he couldn't understand at the moment, Li Se thought about the overall situation in the martial world. If it were for power and fame, Li Se wouldn't need to bother; he could simply use various forces to deal with the Tianlong Gang. But his goal was to achieve peace in the martial world with minimal sacrifice and to bring a better living environment to the people.

Li Se assessed the situation and slowly formed some ideas before closing his eyes to practice his skills.

When Xue Yaoguang encountered difficulties in the capital, she sought help from Empress Yang Yingyun, as advised by Chu Liuguang.

Within a few days, Xue Yaoguang learned that Princess Zhu Wushuang had spoken on Li Se's behalf, and the Emperor had tacitly approved of the matter.

Upon hearing this, Xue Yaoguang was overjoyed and immediately sent someone to inform Li Se. At the same time, she thought to herself, "The princess has broken off relations with Li Lang. Is she helping out this time to repay Li Lang's favor? The Sword Empress is so shrewd. I never expected the princess to use this move. Now that the princess has helped so much, should I go and thank her on behalf of Li Lang? Or should I go to Yang Yingyun to ask her for clarification first?"

While Xue Yaoguang was hesitating, she suddenly heard from her servants that a beautiful woman had come to visit. Xue Yaoguang thought it was the Sword Empress Yang Yingyun and hurriedly went to greet her.

Upon seeing that the person who arrived was not Yang Yingyun, but Princess Zhu Wushuang, Xue Yaoguang was greatly surprised and said, "Princess, please forgive me for not greeting you properly."

Zhu Wushuang smiled and put her arm around Xue Yaoguang, saying, "Sister-in-law, you're too kind. We're all family, no need for such formalities."

Hearing Zhu Wushuang's words, Xue Yaoguang understood everything and secretly chuckled to herself, "Although the princess is formidable, she's still a woman after all. Once she gives herself to someone, she can't escape their grasp. Isn't she obediently coming to help them?"

The two entered the inner room, and after exchanging pleasantries, Zhu Wushuang said, "You know about Li Lang and me. I wronged him and injured him, and I feel extremely guilty. When I see Li Lang, I hope you can put in a good word for me. I've already made amends by speaking well of him to my father, and he's almost certain to get the salt business."

Xue Yaoguang Smiling, Xue Yaoguang said, "Princess, why are you being so polite? How could he dare to blame you? Besides, you've helped him so much; Li Lang will be very happy and grateful."

Zhu Wushuang said, "Look at what you're saying! You still treat me like an outsider. As women, even if we're of high status, can we act arrogantly in front of our husbands? If you still treat me like a princess, then I won't talk to you anymore."

Xue Yaoguang smiled and hugged Zhu Wushuang, saying, "My dear sister, I'll treat you like my own sister from now on, okay? How could I not help with such a small matter? Leave it to me, sister, don't worry."

Zhu Wushuang smiled and said, "I'm relieved about that. I'm used to being high and mighty, aloof and cold. I'm not very good at handling family matters. I'll need your guidance in the future."

Xue Yaoguang readily agreed, and the two chatted and laughed happily.

Xue Yaoguang and Zhu Wushuang already had some acquaintance. Now, Zhu Wushuang wanted to win Xue Yaoguang over, and Xue Yaoguang wanted to curry favor with the princess. Naturally, the two talked more and more happily, revealing their true feelings.

Zhu Wushuang said, "You know that the Prince of Han is also vying for this salt administration right. Now I've pleaded with the Emperor to let him give this power to Li Lang. The Prince of Han must be very angry. He and the Crown Prince are both vying for the throne. I've always stayed out of these two brothers' affairs, but it seems Li Lang is involved. This is a very dangerous thing. Don't think that just because the Prince of Han isn't the Crown Prince, it's no big deal to offend him. He helped my father establish the empire, he's very brave, and the Emperor admires him greatly. Who knows, he might even seize the throne in the future!"

Xue Yaoguang smiled and said, "You don't need to worry about that. Sister Chu told me a story, and you'll understand why after you hear it."

During the reign of Emperor Gaozong of Tang, Li Zhi, barbarian tribes gathered to plunder. The government troops went to suppress them but failed. Therefore, Xu Jingye was appointed as the governor to deal with the situation. The local prefectural government sent troops to meet him outside the city, but Xu Jingye ordered them all to return to the city and rode alone to the prefectural capital. The bandits, hearing of the new prefect's arrival, strengthened their defenses in preparation for a campaign against him.

After arriving at the prefecture and taking office, Xu Jingye didn't inquire about the matter at all. Only after handling other matters did he ask, "Where are the bandits?"

The prefectural officials replied, "They're all on the south bank."

So Xu Jingye, accompanied by one or two assistants, crossed the river. Seeing his actions, everyone was worried and astonished.

The bandits initially held weapons and looked around, but seeing that there was no one else on Xu Jingye's boat, they withdrew, closed their gates, and hid.

After landing, Xu Jingye went straight into the camp and warned them, "The state knows you were only harmed by corrupt officials and have committed no other crimes. Go home and farm! Those who leave late will be treated as thieves!"

Xu Jingye only summoned their leader and rebuked him for not surrendering to the government troops earlier. He had the leader beaten several dozen times and sent away, and from then on, order was restored throughout the prefecture.

When Xu Jingye's grandfather, Duke of Ying, Xu Ji, heard about this, he praised Jingye's courage, saying, "Even I couldn't have done that. Yet, in the future, it will surely be this child who brings ruin to my family!"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Wushuang knew that Xu Jingye had later opposed Wu Zetian, rebelled, and indeed suffered the destruction of his family. Using Xu Jingye as a metaphor for the Prince of Han made the meaning quite clear.

Zhu Wushuang frowned and said, "I heard that Miss Chu is skilled in divination and can communicate with spirits and ghosts. Is that true?"

Xue Yaoguang smiled and said, "I don't know either, but I trust her judgment. Moreover, the late sage Daoyan passed down a secret manual to her. If she didn't have some abilities, how could she have gained his favor?"

Zhu Wushuang nodded slightly.

Meanwhile, after Wang Bao'er and Xue Yaoguang arrived in the capital, they first used the Wang family's connections to help Xue Yaoguang smooth things over. Afterwards, when they had some free time, they visited some old friends, especially Zhao Ming, one of the Four Young Masters.

When Wang Bao'er was a daughter, she didn't understand much about love. After marrying Li Se, she gained more life experience and understood emotions better. Remembering all the kindness Zhao Ming had shown her, she was extremely grateful. Upon returning this time, she couldn't help but be amiable when she saw Zhao Ming, to make up for her past rudeness towards him.

To cheer Wang Bao'er up, Zhao Ming suggested playing riddles with her. To his surprise, Wang Bao'er smiled and said, "Brother, I haven't liked riddles for a long time! I've grown up!"

Zhao Ming's heart sank. He saw that Wang Bao'er had matured considerably, blossomed into a beautiful young woman, and was much gentler towards him than before. However, he knew that the distance between them had deepened, and they could no longer playfully tease each other as before. A deep sadness welled up within him.

That day, after seeing Wang Bao'er at the Wang family home, he went to a restaurant to drink and drown his sorrows.

Just as Zhao Ming was getting drunk and his vision was blurred, a man suddenly sat down at his table and said, "A real man should speak his mind and do his job. Why be a coward, drinking and getting drunk? It doesn't help at all."

Zhao Ming was furious and said, "What do I care if I want to drink? Get out of my way!"

The man was an old man with white hair and beard. He chuckled and said, "You're a young man from a prestigious family, even your insults have a polite tone. I see you're very affectionate and want to help you and your sweetheart get together, but you take it out on me. You really don't appreciate my kindness."

Zhao Ming was shocked and said, "Who are you? How do you know about my affairs? Do you have a way to make Bao'er like me?"

The old man said, "That's easy. I'll make her stay by your side forever. You just need to coax her with all your heart." "She'll fall for you in less than a year or two."

Zhao Ming was greatly disappointed, slumping on the table and saying, "I thought you were old enough to have some good ideas! Turns out, it's just forcing someone. If I thought that way, I would have married Bao'er long ago. We, the Free and Unfettered Sect

, value a carefree and unrestrained life. Forcing others will ultimately prevent them from living happily. I truly love her, and to let her truly find happiness, to let her be with the person she loves—what a beautiful ending that would be!"

The old man sighed, waved his hand, and Zhao Ming fell asleep on the table. The old man said, "Why don't young people learn the true meaning of life? Instead, they make themselves suffer. What a pity for young people!"

Then two people came in and helped Zhao Ming away.

The next day, Wang Bao'er received a note, hurriedly left, and was never heard from again.

A day later, Xue Yaoguang received news from the Wang family that Bao'er had gone missing. She rushed to find Yang Yingyun, who smiled after hearing Xue Yaoguang's words, "It's too late."

Xue Yaoguang asked in surprise, "What's too late?"

Before she finished speaking, they heard someone outside laugh, "What a sharp eye! No wonder you're the new generation's Sword Queen."

Yang Yingyun led Xue Yaoguang outside, where an old man with striking features stood, dressed in white with white hair and white eyebrows, looking like a celestial being.

Yang Yingyun said, "Zhang Zuoshi has returned to the martial world, but he's making things difficult for a young girl. Isn't he ashamed?"

The old man was Zhang Xuanji, the Bright Left Envoy of the Ming Cult, also known as the Demonic Cult in the martial world. Zhang Xuanji said, "Young girl, your words are sharp, but this old man won't mind. When a girl gets powerful, she can destroy a country and a family. How can we underestimate her? I want to take Xue Yaoguang with me. Will you allow me?"

Yang Yingyun smiled and said, "Of course, of course. But are you working for the Tianlong Gang or the Ming Cult?"

Zhang Xuanji said, "I work for the people of the world."

Yang Yingyun said, "What a powerful reason! But I am just a young woman. I don't care about the affairs of the world. I only remember that I promised someone that I would protect her safety. If I don't..." "If you take her away, how am I supposed to explain this to everyone?"

Zhang Xuanji said, "So you want to fight me? Aren't you afraid that in a fit of rage I might capture you too? I'm afraid that in Li Se's eyes, you're more important than Xue Yatou."

Yang Yingyun said, "In that case, just capture me, don't even think about Yaoguang!"

Zhang Xuanji said, "That won't do. You're a clever and mischievous girl, I'm not confident I can capture you. Your master sent you to roam the martial world at such a young age, how could he trust you with the title of Sword Queen if you didn't have some skills? I won't fall for that."

Yang Yingyun shouted angrily, "Since you know the power of the Sword Queen, you still dare to boast about capturing someone in front of me, where do you put me?" She thrust out her sword in anger.

Zhang Xuanji retreated gracefully, Yang Yingyun followed like a shadow, sword energy filled the air, Yang Yingyun wielded her sword like the wind, each move pressing forward, each sword aimed at Zhang Xuanji.

Zhang Xuanji dodged left and right amidst the sword light, seemingly at a disadvantage. Xue Yaoguang, seeing Zhang Xuanji almost powerless to retaliate, cheered inwardly, thinking that Zhang Xuanji's perilous situation meant it was only a matter of time before the Sword Queen defeated the old man.

Suddenly, Zhang Xuanji let out a soft whistle, followed by a flurry of palm strikes, like a divine dragon soaring through the air. Instantly, the situation changed; palm shadows and sword light filled the air as the two fought fiercely, their movements inextricably intertwined, leaving Xue Yaoguang dazzled.

Yang Yingyun's fight against the most powerful figure of the Demonic Sect seemed ordinary, but it was far more dangerous than her fight with Zhu Wushuang. Martial arts at their peak far surpassed magic; both were masters of martial arts, so there was no magic involved, each move deadly, yet extremely perilous.

Under the shroud of sword light, Yang Yingyun's robes fluttered as she casually thrust her sword twice to the left and twice to the right. Though seemingly effortless, her swordplay was already creating dazzling sword flowers, the tips trembling incessantly.

Zhang Xuanji, with his profound skill, observed closely and naturally discerned the subtleties within Yang Yingyun's swordplay. He could see that Yang Yingyun's sword techniques concealed extremely complex killing moves, yet these moves were subtle and elusive, reaching an extremely high level of "effortless mastery and unpredictable changes."

Zhang Xuanji exclaimed in admiration, "In terms of swordsmanship, you have already caught up with your master. It seems I still cannot defeat your master!"

Yang Yingyun replied, "Are you implying that my martial arts are still inferior to yours?" Zhang

Xuanji said, "That's right!"

At this moment, Yang Yingyun took three steps forward and thrust out her sword with a whoosh. The sword energy was like a rainbow, and the sound of it cleaving through the air was like a dragon's roar, making Xue Yaoguang, who was watching from the side, feel her eardrums buzzing.

Yang Yingyun's swordsmanship was extremely profound, and Zhang Xuanji had no way to dodge it. He snorted and said, "Girl, are you really going to fight to the death?" Under the shroud of sword light, he suddenly flicked his middle finger. With a flick of the wrist, the sword light scattered, Yang Yingyun's hand went numb, and the sword almost slipped from her grasp.

These two moves were swift and decisive; Xue Yaoguang had barely grasped some of their subtleties when the two were already separated.

Yang Yingyun gasped, "You shameless old man! Are you after the beauty of Li Se's wives, and that's why you're trying to snatch them?"

Zhang Xuanji replied, "You little brat, you're talking nonsense. I wanted to take these girls on a trip. That Li Se is always messing around in the martial world, busy with nothing but trouble. He's wasting his youth by not spending time with these beautiful women. Tell him to come find me and accompany his beauties. Otherwise, I can't stand it and will find them better husbands."

Yang Yingyun feigned sudden realization, saying, "Oh, I see! Why didn't you say so sooner?" She then sheathed her sword and said, "Please take her with you! Remember your promise to treat them well."

Zhang Xuanji said, "What a capable girl! She's decisive and knows how to seize opportunities; she's got the makings of something great."

Yang Yingyun smiled mischievously, saying, "It's all because of you, old man! Once my martial arts are strong enough, I'll get my revenge!"

Zhang Xuanji laughed heartily, "Of course, of course."

At this moment, Xue Yaoguang skipped over to Zhang Xuanji, grabbed his sleeve, and said, "Grandpa, let's go! Goodbye, Sister Yang!" She turned and waved to Yang Yingyun.

Zhang Xuanji was taken aback, then sighed, "These girls are all so capable. No wonder Li Se, that kid, has nothing special about him; he can create such a commotion just by bewitching women!" Shaking his head and sighing, he and Xue Yaoguang went down the mountain.

Yang Yingyun smiled as she watched the two figures disappear. Behind her came Xin Kong's voice, "Zhang Zuoshi's martial arts are indeed formidable! If I were to intervene, I would only suffer a more crushing defeat. You, young lady, are truly impressive; you weren't at a disadvantage."

Yang Yingyun turned back and said, "He doesn't want to make an enemy of me or lure my master out of seclusion. Otherwise, he could have easily taken advantage of my injury to try and kill me. Li Se already has enough ability to protect his woman. We shouldn't let this prevent him from having a chance to play the hero."

Xin Kong said, "Yes! It's time for him to display his talents, and it can even strengthen their relationship. You are truly farsighted!"

Yang Yingyun innocently said, "No way! I was just jealous of Xue Yaoguang and the others, so I was looking for an opportunity to make them suffer! Master, you think too highly of me."

Xin Kong stroked his beard and chuckled.

Chapter Seven: Making the

Most of Everyone's Talents. Li Se received news from Xue Yaoguang in the capital that not only was the salt affairs progressing, but the princess, persuaded by Jian Hou, had cleared up her misunderstanding with him and forgiven him. This was truly a double blessing.

Upon hearing the news, Li Se was overjoyed and prepared to head to the capital to handle all matters after his departure. However, one midday, Situ Ming and Gu Xuanzhong rushed in, shouting, "Alliance Leader! Something terrible has happened! News has come from the capital that Lady Wang Bao'er and Lady Xue Yaoguang have been kidnapped by the Tianlong Gang!"

Li Se said, "Don't panic, explain the situation clearly."

The two replied, "This is the news from the people left behind in the capital. They don't know the specifics either. However, the Sword Queen also sent you a message saying she's sorry."

Li Se nodded and told the two to go and continue investigating. The two left together, whispering to each other, "Alliance Leader is indeed a great general. Hearing such terrible news, he remained calm and composed."

Situ Ming said, "I'm afraid not. The Alliance Leader has many women; he doesn't care about these two. Isn't it your precious daughter who's here? I think he cares most about your daughter!"

Gu Xuanzhong grinned from ear to ear, thanking them repeatedly.

As evening fell, Li Se and Gu Xiangjun were discussing matters with Chu Liuguang in her room when the little fox spirit Hua Xiangrong suddenly burst in, her face extremely pale. "Li Lang, I'm so sorry! I couldn't protect Sister Leng properly; she's been captured by the Tianlong Gang!"

Chu Liuguang stood up and comforted her, "It was to be expected, sister. Don't worry, Brother Li won't blame you."

Gu Xiangjun also said, "Sister, are you alright? Don't worry about anything else; Li Lang will handle everything."

Li Se also smiled, "You've worked so hard; you must have suffered a lot. Don't worry, I've got you covered."

Hearing this, Hua Xiangrong closed her eyes and leaned into Chu Liuguang's arms, saying, "I'm exhausted."

Gu Xiangjun instructed the maid to help Hua Xiangrong to rest, leaving Li Se to stay and discuss matters with Chu Liuguang.

Li Se said, "The situation is very clear now. The Tianlong Gang wants to use Yao Guang and the other two to blackmail me and force me to submit. Although I am personally willing to sacrifice everything for them, how can I submit when the public interest comes first? If I don't handle this properly, the Xue family, the Wang family, and the Tianshan Sect will hate me, or they will distance themselves from me in the future."

Chu Liuguang said, "But isn't this a good opportunity to get closer to these three families?"

Li Se said, "I know what to do. I'll set off for Beiping tomorrow."

Chu Liuguang said, "What are you going there for? Are Xue and the others there?"

Li Se said, "I don't know, but I know that Bai Junyi or Bai Tingyu must be there. I will use their own methods against them. Bao'er and the others will definitely be safe for the time being. Otherwise, Sister Yang wouldn't have let them be kidnapped so easily."

Chu Liuguang smiled and said, "Brother, now..." "You're really something! You always knew what you were doing but didn't tell me. Now I see your true colors."

Li Se said, "I'm innocent! I was forced into this. I used to be so foolish."

Chu Liuguang said, "Come on! If you were foolish, how could so many smart and beautiful girls like you?"

Li Se suddenly laughed, "Smart and beautiful girls, are you one of them?"

Chu Liuguang blushed, secretly pleased, but said, "Brother, don't talk nonsense. I'm not like them. Brother, when are you going to leave, and who are you taking with you?"

Li Se said, "I'm leaving tomorrow. Too many people will only cause trouble. I'll go alone."

Chu Liuguang said, "Alright, but I'll tell you a story."

During the Warring States period, Lord Mengchang of Qi was one of the four great lords. He supported more than 3,000 retainers, many of whom were talented and capable people who helped him solve his problems. King Zhaoxiang of Qin admired Lord Mengchang's talents and sent someone to invite him to Qin as a guest.

On their first meeting, Lord Mengchang presented King Qin with a precious pure white fox fur coat as a gift. King Qin greatly admired Lord Mengchang's talent and wanted to appoint him as prime minister.

However, this aroused the jealousy of Qin's ministers, and many slandered him to the king. Ultimately, Lord Mengchang was placed under house arrest, and King Qin even considered killing him.

After being imprisoned, Lord Mengchang sent someone to ask King Qin's favorite concubine, Consort Yan, for help. Consort Yan said, "If Lord Mengchang gives me a white fox fur coat like the emperor's, I will find a way to help him."

Hearing Consort Yan's words, Lord Mengchang secretly lamented, "There's only one white fox fur coat; where can I find another?"

Just then, a retainer volunteered, saying, "I have a way; I can definitely get a white fox fur coat by tomorrow."

That night, the retainer secretly entered the palace, imitated a dog's bark to lure the guards away, and successfully stole back the white fox fur coat he had presented to King Qin. Lord Mengchang bribed Consort Yan with a white fox fur coat, and she indeed spoke highly of him. Not long after, the King of Qin released Lord Mengchang. Fearing the King might renege on his promise, Lord Mengchang immediately disguised himself and, under the cover of darkness, arrived at the border—Hangu Pass. He believed that once he passed through this pass, the King of Qin would be powerless against him.

However, it was late at night, and the city gates were tightly shut. Lord Mengchang and his entourage were extremely anxious; the gates would not open until the rooster crowed, but the King of Qin's troops would

surely pursue them. At this moment, a guest of his opened his mouth and imitated a rooster's crow, "Cock-a-doodle-doo!" Instantly, all the roosters in the city crowed in unison. The soldiers guarding the gates, hearing so many roosters crowing, thought it was dawn and opened the gates as required.

Lord Mengchang and his entourage thus safely passed through Hangu Pass, leaving Qin and returning to Qi.

After Chu Liuguang finished speaking, Li Se said, "This is the idiom 'a petty thief stealing a chicken.' Sister, do you want me to take those four guys with me? Only they could be considered petty thieves!"

Chu Liuguang nodded and said, "Brother's guess is correct. However, making the best use of resources and talents is crucial; they can be of great help to you. You should take the four of them with you! I will help Sister Xiangjun with the family matters."

Li Se said, "I'm relieved to hear that. The Tianlong Gang will definitely send someone to negotiate. You just need to stall them, and we need to keep in touch."

Beiping Prefecture was originally Dadu, the capital of the Yuan Dynasty, renamed by Zhu Yuanzhang after he conquered the country. It served as a bulwark against the Mongol nobles in the north.

Bai Xiaotian was a northerner, and Tianlong Manor was located in Beiping, serving as the headquarters of the Tianlong Gang. Li Se and the four guys now known as the Four Great Heroes came to Beiping, hoping to capture Bai Junyi or Bai Tingyu in exchange for the three women captured by the Tianlong Gang.

The six major sects had no influence in Beiping, only some spies. From them, Li Se learned that Bai Junyi had returned to Beiping and was living in a famous garden in the southwestern suburbs of the city, where there were tens of thousands of flowers, especially peonies, which were extremely popular and renowned. Bai Junyi preferred to stay there, while rarely staying at Tianlong Manor.

Li Se and his group of five settled near Mingyuan Garden. Li Se disguised himself as a water-carrying farmer and went inside to investigate. However, ordinary servants were not allowed to enter, let alone a new farmer.

That night, Li Se sneaked into Mingyuan Garden, but it was very large, and he didn't know where Bai Junyi lived! He wanted to capture someone to interrogate her, but he was afraid of revealing his presence.

He vaguely heard voices in the darkness and followed them. Under a corner of a house, Li Se heard two maids talking inside. One maid said, "Miss appears shrewd and capable, but she is gentle and kind inside. My mother is turning sixty, and somehow Miss found out and gave me half a month's leave to go home and serve her for a while! She even rewarded me with five taels of silver. I'm not Miss's maid; I've only seen her a few times from afar. Miss treats us servants exceptionally well."

The other maid said, "Yes! I'm an orphan, adopted by Master since I was little..." Knowing her own birthday, after Miss grew up, every year on her birthday, she would have several maids like me celebrate with her. Birthday gifts were secondary; it was Miss's thoughtfulness that mattered. Now Miss is very busy, and we only see her a few times a year, but she never mistreats us. Miss is truly a rare and wonderful girl! Whoever marries her must have accumulated a lot of good fortune in their past life!

Li Se listened for a while, but seeing that he couldn't glean anything useful, he thought, "My wife is very gentle and kind, no less than Bai Junyi!" He quietly went to explore elsewhere.

The garden was strange; there were some guards patrolling the outer perimeter, but it was very quiet inside, with only a few night watchmen. Li Se saw that the courtyard was magnificent, and judging from the layout, it seemed to be the owner's residence, but it seemed strangely quiet. Li Se didn't dare to rush in, so he observed carefully first.

After looking for a while, Li Se realized that the trees, pavilions, and stone bridges outside were arranged in a uniform pattern, no wonder there were no guards.

Li Se found the formation quite familiar, recalling the formation he and Zhu Wushuang had encountered at the Wang family's residence. This one was quite similar, and he thought, "My father-in-law is the economic king of the Demonic Sect, and the Bai family receives the Demonic Sect's assistance, so naturally this formation is related to the Demonic Sect." Having made up his mind, he attempted to break through the formation using the method Zhu Wushuang had taught him.

Although the formation was the same, even a slight change made it difficult to break. However, Li Se had only sensed the formation before, so whether it changed or not was the same to him. Li Se passed through the formation with his spiritual sense and entered the inner courtyard, where he saw a very elegant courtyard and pavilion. However, there were many rooms, and he didn't know which one was Bai Junyi's. He hesitated, and the thought of seeing Bai Junyi, especially since it involved kidnapping her, made him inexplicably afraid. He thought, "I'd better go back and bring those four guys with me. They're experts at kidnapping girls."

Li Se returned to his residence, found the four men, and explained the situation. Liang Gongchang laughed, "Yu Da, this is my specialty. I can find a woman's hiding place by smelling her fragrance. Back when we were on our turf, when you stopped us from helping you drug and rape Bai Junyi, I was already prepared, just waiting for your command." "Now we can finally put you to good use. If you take us with you, I guarantee you'll be able to rape Bai Junyi."

The other three laughed heartily. Du Kaixian said, "Yu Da, your skills in bed must be extremely high. We've never seen them before. Now you can broaden our horizons, right? Although I've lost my little brother and am a eunuch, it's still something to be happy and congratulate to witness such superb skills in my lifetime!"

Before the other two could speak, Li Se said, "You guys, a leopard can't change its spots. I told you not to mention those lecherous deeds anymore, but you still keep thinking about those things."

Tie Ding said: "Exactly, we need to be refined. Look at Yu Da, he openly and legitimately raped beauties like Xue Yaoguang and Leng Ruxue. That's true skill, unlike what you all say, such vulgar things as drugging and raping, which is quite unrefined!"

Dong Yan also said, "Yes, yes, Yu Da is indeed brilliant. He can make beauties willingly throw themselves into his arms and willingly be raped. That's real skill!"

Li Se said, "Are you ever going to stop? You judge everything with your petty minds. Bao'er and I are in love, it's mutual affection, not some shady affair. Listen to me, stop slandering your boss."

Du Kaixian whispered, "Then..." In the end, they still ended up in bed together. So, did they actually rape her or not? I think Bao'er is getting prettier and prettier, isn't that all thanks to Yu Da?

The group laughed heartily. Li Se said, "Stop talking nonsense, you lot. Are you done yet? Hurry up and come with me."

Liang Gongchang said, "You didn't want us to come before, but now you're letting us go. Is there any reward?"

Li Se said, "You're good at bargaining. What kind of reward do you want?"

Liang Gongchang chuckled and said, "I'll remember this for later."

The five of them quietly arrived at the Ming Garden. Liang Gongchang led the way. Along the way, they exchanged knowing glances, not nervous or scared at all, quite relaxed.

Liang Gongchang arrived at a relatively small pavilion, pointed to a room, and whispered, "Yu Da, Bai Junyi is here."

Li Se said, "Alright, to prevent any accidents, the four of you can keep watch outside. I'll go alone."

The others said, "We trust Yu Da's abilities. You can go ahead. We'll keep watch for you." As

soon as Li Se left, the others whispered, "How could we not witness Yu Da's divine skills? Let's go!"

Li Se used his skills to enter the pavilion. It was actually the third watch of the night, and the pavilion was completely silent. Li Se made his way to Bai Junyi's room, calmed himself outside the door, observed the room, then shattered the window with his internal force and climbed inside. Li

Se rushed straight towards the embroidered curtains, but the sudden and bizarre change was beyond Li Se's expectations. Suddenly, something like a spider web rushed at him from all directions.

Li Se was in mid-air and struck out with his palm, fully expecting to knock the spider web away, but his palm strike was like a stone sinking into the sea. At the same time, the spider web bound Li Se's hands and feet.

Li Se remained calm and used his inner energy to shake off the spider web. However, the spider web was strange; the more force he used, the tighter it bound him, and Li Se was completely bound.

Just then, a clear laugh rang out. The room was brightly lit, and Bai Junyi stood in the corner with an oil lamp lit. She laughed, "Alliance Leader Li, your timing is perfect! How about the silkworm silk I prepared for you? Here's also a Soul-Extinguishing Lamp. If it touches you, I guarantee it will burn you to ashes."

Li Se remained calm and said, "Although it was wrong of me to kidnap you, it was because you forced me to! You captured my wife first. I came here to resolve our conflict. Should our few-person fight drag others into it, resulting in countless deaths and injuries?"

Bai Junyi said strangely, "You're talking strangely. The six major sects are no match for us, and now you're in my hands. Do you think you'll have any say in the martial arts world anymore? Do you think you're the leader of the martial arts alliance?"

Li Se said, "Do you think you can capture me like this?"

Bai Junyi said, "Unless you're not afraid of death, try the power of this lamp."

Li Se said, "No need to try. You're in my grasp. If you're not afraid of death, then try it!" As soon as he finished speaking, Bai Junyi felt a murderous aura, and her whole body felt cold involuntarily. She wanted to curl up into a ball to keep warm, but she dared not move, for fear that any movement would trigger Li Se's murderous aura.

Bai Junyi said, "You dare to kill me? Don't you care about the lives of your three wives?"

Li Se said in a deep voice, "Untie the ropes binding me first, quickly, or I'll cut off your arm first."

Bai Junyi said, "Kill me then. My father and brother will definitely avenge me. For the sake of the world, I will die a worthy death!"

Li Se was stunned. He was just trying to scare Bai Junyi. Li Se was kind and benevolent; how could he be so cruel? Seeing his expression, Bai Junyi was secretly delighted.

Li Se said, "What exactly do you want? Are you really forcing me to kill you?"

Bai Junyi replied, "In short, I won't let you go. Kill me if you want! You can't escape anyway."

Li Se gritted his teeth and said, "Fine, I'll have to use my ultimate move."

Suddenly, Li Se channeled his inner energy and blew hard at the lamp in Bai Junyi's hand. His true energy surged, and his momentum was astonishing. Bai Junyi couldn't hold on, and the lamp was blown away, the flame falling to the ground and going out instantly. It turned out that the lamp was not afraid of the wind; it simply lost its power as soon as it hit the ground.

At the same time, Li Se flashed to Bai Junyi's side and struck her pressure point with his head. Strangely, Bai Junyi surrendered without resistance.

Li Se said, "Is that all you've got? You think you can capture me?"

Bai Junyi said, "There's no expert in the garden who can rival you. Even if I resist you for a while, you'll eventually capture me. But you're also bound by me; no one but me can untie this silk. Neither of us has the upper hand."

Li Se said, "That's different. I'm just inconvenient with my hands and feet, but your life is in my hands. That's much more important."

Bai Junyi said, "If I die, you'll be bound by the Heavenly Silkworm Silk for the rest of your life, like a cripple. Do you want that?"

Li Se said, "Since you can use magic, someone can naturally untie you."

Bai Junyi said, "Even so, you still can't leave Beiping like this. My father is leading some experts here right now! They'll be here soon."

Li Se couldn't help but believe this. He was at a great disadvantage in front of Bai Junyi, and Li Se was furious, but his mind was blank, and he was helpless.

Moonlight streamed in through the window, illuminating Bai Junyi's stunning face. Li Se suddenly had a flash of inspiration and said, "You really won't untie me?"

Bai Junyi replied, "Of course! What can you do if I'm unhappy?"

Li Se said fiercely, "Fine, you forced me to do this." With that, she tore Bai Junyi's left sleeve with her teeth, revealing half of her jade-like arm. Li Se said, "If you don't listen to me, I'll tear all your clothes off! You know my reputation in the martial arts world; everyone says I'm a once-in-a-century lecher!"

Li Se thought Bai Junyi would be afraid, but Bai Junyi smiled contemptuously, completely unconcerned, and said, "Strange? Didn't you try your best to deny it before? You can't come up with anything new. I know your lecherous nature! After fighting in the martial arts world for so many years, I don't care about life or death anymore, let alone my reputation. For the sake of justice and the common people, I have long put myself aside and am willing to sacrifice myself for a brighter and more just world. What use is this threat to me?"

Li Se was deeply ashamed by Bai Junyi's words and suddenly felt discouraged, saying... "You...you really think I'm a lecherous thief, a bad person?"

Bai Junyi said, "I had some doubts before, but your actions have clearly shown me."

Li Se was even more discouraged, hanging his head dejectedly, and said, "Miss Bai, I've never seen such an extraordinary woman as you, with lofty ambitions like us men. Moreover, you're different from ordinary men; most of them are after fame and fortune, but you genuinely want to do something for the people of the world. I truly admire you."

Bai Junyi said, "What's the use of saying all this? Since you know what our Tianlong Gang is for, that the Tianlong Gang represents justice, why are you still opposing us?"

Li Se said, "But I also genuinely want what's best for the people of the world! Do you think that only by eliminating..." "I think it's wrong to think that only by doing this can we improve people's lives. Improving people's lives isn't that simple. When the martial arts sects didn't collect taxes, the chaos wasn't a good thing, was it?"

Bai Junyi said, "Yes! That's why our Tianlong Gang wants to take over the martial arts world. Wouldn't that bring peace and stability to the martial arts world, eliminate unnecessary taxes, and reduce the suffering of the people, making them happier?"

Li Se said, "You think it's easy, but can you guarantee that your Tianlong Gang will be undisciplined and that no one will exploit the people anymore? The six major sects were initially supported and loved by the people, but now they've become a heavy burden on them. Who could have imagined their fate today? Things are constantly changing." "Ah! You're using the same old tricks again. You'll just repeat the same mistakes."

Bai Junyi was stunned, speechless. A thought flashed through her mind, and she sneered, "You really are eloquent, able to twist the truth. Gu Xiangjun and Leng Ruxue, those girls, were fooled by you like this, weren't they? Your high-sounding principles are quite impressive!"

Hearing Bai Junyi's words about deceiving girls, Li Se's eyes swept over Bai Junyi's exposed skin, and his heart skipped a beat. He quickly turned away and said, "I didn't deceive them, it's just..."

Bai Junyi quickly said, "If you didn't deceive them, would they all still marry you? Do you think they're all infatuated or that you're the only man in the world?"

Li Se hadn't been this passive since his mind opened up. It seemed that he hadn't read the Butterfly Flower Manual at all; he couldn't even coax a girl.

A gentle breeze blew by outside. Li Se sighed and said, "I admit defeat. Since Senior Bai is here, please come in!"

Bai Xiaotian's booming voice came from outside the door, "Alliance Leader, please come out! As long as my daughter is released, just tell me what you need."

Li Se glanced at Bai Junyi with a complicated look in his eyes, shook his head, and took the lead, flying out of the window and landing outside. Bai Junyi was stunned for a moment, then flew out of the window as well, landing beside Bai Xiaotian.

Seeing that Li Se had not taken Bai Junyi hostage and that he was bound with Heavenly Silkworm Silk, Bai Xiaotian was puzzled. Li Se said, "It's been many days since I last saw you, Senior. I've missed you dearly. But you say one thing and do another. Didn't we agree that as long as I reformed the six major sects, you wouldn't fight with them or make things difficult for us? I was about to get control of the salt affairs, and things were about to succeed, so why are you going back on your word?"

Bai Xiaotian said, "Alliance Leader, you're mistaken! You haven't successfully reformed the six sects yet! Your salt affairs haven't been finalized either. What I'm doing now is..." "Violating the agreement."

Li Se said, "Then what does Senior intend to do?"

Bai Xiaotian said, "Please stay out of this and stop meddling in the affairs of the six major sects. Go and enjoy your life with Gu Xiangjun and Wang Bao'er, wouldn't that be better? With so many beautiful women by your side and no shortage of wealth, what more could you possibly want? Fighting with swords and spears brings no benefit. You are rich and noble, able to travel the world freely—that's the best life you can have!"

Li Se thought for a moment and said, "This is absolutely unacceptable. I will not abandon the six major sects, because only I can stop you from destroying the happiness of the people." 03-02
Chapter Eight Utter Defeat

Bai Xiaotian, upon hearing Li Se's words, along with the experts from the Tianlong Gang who had come with him, loudly laughed. Bai Xiaotian coldly retorted, "What a joke! You claim to care about the people? What a blatant lie!"

Li Se said, "Why not? Senior is a great hero, a great man who dares to take responsibility and is courageous in seeking the welfare of the people. But senior is too arbitrary. Do you really think that after the Tianlong Gang eliminates the six major sects and unifies the martial arts world, the world will be at peace? That's just the beginning of disaster."

Bai Xiaotian said, "How is it the beginning of disaster? I want to see how you talk nonsense."

Li Se said, "The six major sects were appointed by the imperial court. If you really want to eliminate them, will the imperial court agree?"

Bai Xiaotian said, "I have already obtained permission from the imperial court. The imperial court said that according to custom, they will not interfere with the grudges between us in the martial arts world. The Prince of Han also supports us and praised the actions of our Tianlong Gang, saying that they are all for the good of the people. He also encouraged us to go all out and not have any worries. But our Tianlong Gang feels that if we can do our best..." "If the killing is minimal, why go to

such extremes? That's why I've repeatedly advised you against it." Li Se said, "The Prince of Han is the Prince of Han, but he's not the Crown Prince. Once the Crown Prince ascends the throne, will you still be so powerful? The Prince of Han wants to win over your Tianlong Gang to prepare for his bid for the throne. Is it a secret that your sect has members from the former Demonic Sect? If you truly unify the martial world, whoever becomes emperor will fear your immense power and will eliminate you. Look at all the sects that have dominated the martial world for thousands of years. Besides Shaolin, which is the recognized leader of the martial world, there are none. However, Shaolin has always remained secluded, rarely participating in martial arts affairs. Their so-called leadership is only in martial arts. This is why their reputation has endured for thousands of years." "Walking down a path of great calamity without even realizing it, it's truly lamentable."

Bai Xiaotian's face paled in horror. He said, "In the past, some people's silver tongues and eloquent words could be worth a million soldiers. Today I've witnessed it firsthand. No wonder you can lead the six sects; today I've seen your true colors. But no matter how eloquently you speak, I won't be fooled. I'll deal with everything else after I've destroyed the six major sects. I'll take it one step at a time. My long-cherished wish is to bring peace and happiness to the people of the world, a life with minimal taxes, free from the torment of heavy burdens. Now that I'm about to achieve it, how could I give up? Even if I have to sacrifice myself for it in the end, it will be worthwhile."

Seeing that he couldn't persuade Bai Xiaotian, Li Se could only sigh and say, "Then what do you want from capturing my three wives?"

Bai Xiaotian said, "As long as you withdraw from the six major sects, they will..." "Peace and safety. If you refuse to do this for them, and they die, the Tianshan Sect, the Xue family, and the Wang family will turn against you for being cold-blooded and refusing to save them. Without their support, you can't become the leader of the martial arts alliance. So you'd better just listen to me."

Li Se said, "You don't need to worry about this. Since you've decided I want to be the leader of the martial arts alliance, there's no need to say anything more. I won't agree to your condition. Why don't you just come up and kill me and be done with it?"

Before Bai Xiaotian could speak, Bai Junyi stepped forward and came to Li Se's side, saying, "You didn't take me hostage just now. I don't like owing favors to others. I'll untie the Heavenly Silkworm Silk for you, and then we'll be even. There's no more friendship between us." After saying that, she first muttered something softly, and then used her hands to untie the silk on Li Se's body. It turned out that untying the Heavenly Silkworm Silk not only required a mantra, but also had to be done by hand, making it quite complicated.

A gentle breeze blew, and a few strands of Bai Junyi's hair brushed against Li Se's face. Li Se gazed at Bai Junyi's jade-like face, and despite being surrounded by enemies, he felt a warmth in his heart—a special feeling. Although Li Se had many wives, he had never experienced anything like this, like a gentle spring flowing through his heart. Li Se was mesmerized.

Bai Junyi removed the silken threads, turned, and left. Her graceful figure left Li Se with only a sense of melancholy.

Bai Xiaotian waved his hand and said, "Boy, don't act rashly. Think it over carefully before you come back to answer me!" With that, he led everyone back to Tianlong Manor.

At this moment, the four heroes leaped out to Li Se's side and said, "Master Yu, now is the time for us to show our skills. We'll go and rescue those ladies for you; this is our specialty."

Li Se said, "Absolutely not. Do you think the people who can capture people from behind the sword are the same incompetent fools you've encountered in the martial world before?"

Du Kaixian said, "Then what should we do?"

Li Se said, "Let's go to Tianlong Manor together and try our luck! We still need to try our luck with Bai Junyi. Only by capturing her can we exchange for Bao'er and the others. Capturing one is easier than rescuing three." Liang Gongchang said

, "I knew you had your eye on her; you won't give up until you get her."

Li Se said, "Stop talking nonsense; getting down to business is more important."

Tie Ding said, "Yes! Bao'er has always been very delicate; she must have suffered a lot of grievances. We must rescue her quickly!"

Li Se's eyes were fixed, his expression resolute, and he said, "That's right, we will definitely succeed."

Bai Xiaotian and Bai Junyi returned to Tianlong Manor. Bai Xiaotian sighed, "That kid Li Se ..." " It seems he really doesn't have selfish motives! His master is said to be Dao Jun Chuan Ying, a disciple of a great hero. He shouldn't be a petty person who only strives for personal desires and power."

Bai Junyi laughed, "Father, have you been in contact with him too much and been misled by his lies? You used to have a very low opinion of him."

Bai Xiaotian said, "What this kid said today isn't entirely unreasonable. Our close association with the Prince of Han is very dangerous. The Crown Prince is extremely benevolent, and the Prince of Han is exceptionally heroic, generous, and capable. Both are potential successors to the throne. However, this is not something we Jianghu people should get involved in. If things go wrong, it could bring about the extermination of our entire family!"

Bai Junyi nodded and said, "Father, don't worry. Since we've anticipated this, we'll just leave ourselves a way out. It's not a big deal. Let's proceed according to the original plan! It seems your long-cherished wish is about to be fulfilled!"

Bai Xiaotian said, "I'm afraid it's easy to go in but hard to come out! Some things are hard to turn back from! But now, we can only eliminate the six major sects first."

Bai Junyi nodded. The Tianlong Gang had gained the upper hand, but Bai Junyi sensed something was amiss and felt unhappy. "Perhaps this is just the worry before success!" she thought.

Seeing his daughter's worried expression, Bai Xiaotian said, "You don't need to worry too much. Although Li Se will still have designs on you and won't let you go, I've sent experts to protect you closely, so you can rest assured."

Although Bai Junyi wasn't worried about that, seeing her father's concern, she could only say, "I understand." In her heart, she thought, "With my abilities, who can capture me? If it's about taking my life, Li Se's martial arts might be able to, but he wouldn't dare kill me. But… why does he seem to have an indescribable aura about him? Ah, that guy is good at seducing women; I'd better be careful!"

Li Se and Liang Gongchang discussed how to capture Bai Junyi. The Tianlong Gang was heavily guarded, with numerous experts, and now that they were prepared, it wouldn't be as easy as before. Finally, Liang Gongchang came up with an idea and said, "Yu Da, why don't you go to Tianlong Manor, and then I'll find an opportunity to transform you into Bai Xiaotian's appearance? That way you can do whatever you want!" Li Se repeatedly praised the idea.

That morning, Li Se, accompanied by Dong Yan, rode a horse to visit the Tianlong Gang. Bai Xiaotian personally received them in the hall, saying, "I heard you've come to a decision? You're determined to disband the six major sects?"

Li Se replied, "I've thought it over and over, and I am indeed somewhat tempted. However, disbanding the six major sects really isn't a good idea. How about keeping them and having you, Senior, become the leader of the six sects? That way, the six major sects will all follow your orders, and the tax problem will be solved."

Bai Xiaotian frowned and said, "Since you're making me the leader, why can't you disband the six major sects? I want to take full control of their territories. Although there are six sects in name, the Shaolin Sect has been content with its lot, and its territory has always been managed by the Taishan Sect. Shaolin itself doesn't need to change. As for the Tianshan Sect, it's far away and sparsely populated, so it's not a concern. Only four sects remain, which is easy to resolve!"

Li Se said, "Senior is determined to change the martial world. I can't make that decision. How about this? Let me plan it out and discuss it with the sect leaders first."

Bai Xiaotian said, "Very well. I'll think about how to handle these matters! Don't worry, your wives are all safe, and the servants are taking good care of them. You don't need to worry."

Li Se asked anxiously, "Where are they? Can I see them now?"

Bai Xiaotian said, "Unfortunately, they're not here. As for where they are, I can't tell you. They won't suffer any injustice. You know, if you agree to cooperate with us, and I make things difficult for a few girls, how can I maintain my standing in the martial world? You can rest assured about my character, Bai Xiaotian. To be honest, hurting them and offending you and the Four Great Famous Sects won't do me any good."

Li Se had no choice but to say, "Alright, I'll stay here for a few days and see them first. Otherwise, how will I know if they're alive or dead? On your territory, you're not worried that I'll take them back, are you?"

Bai Xiaotian said, "Let's talk about this tomorrow!" He instructed the servants to prepare wine and food to entertain Li Se well. After Li Se left, he ordered people to keep a close watch on Li Se, especially at night, to prevent him from making any moves.

Upon hearing that Li Se had gone to Tianlong Manor, Bai Junyi exclaimed in surprise, "This guy is very strange. With him under our surveillance, he can't do anything. Could it be that he really wants to join us?"

That night, around midnight, Hu Lie, the Qinglong Hall Master of the Tianlong Gang, who was keeping watch outside Li Se's room, told his men, "Everyone, stay alert! Report even the slightest movement. Li Se is highly skilled in martial arts; he could fly away in a flash. You must keep a close watch on him." His men all agreed.

A moment later, one of his men said, "Reporting to the Hall Master, the Gang Leader has arrived."

Bai Xiaotian's voice came: "Am I that old? Damn it, you've all made me sound old." Hu Lie quickly bowed, but Bai Xiaotian ignored him, saying, "I'm going in to visit a guest. You all stay outside and keep a close watch; don't let anyone in."

Hu Lie didn't dare ask what his Gang Leader wanted so late; he simply obeyed.

After a while, Bai Xiaotian came out and said to Hu Lie, "Take me to see Miss, I have something to discuss."

Hu Lie dared not disobey and led Bai Xiaotian to the outside of Bai Junyi's embroidery tower, saying, "Chief, please wait a moment, I will go and inform her."

Bai Junyi's maid, having been called by Hu Lie, dared not delay, and while informing her mistress, she welcomed Bai Xiaotian inside. Bai Xiaotian waited in the hall. As soon as Bai Junyi entered, before Bai Xiaotian could speak, she said, "Father, did you and Mother quarrel?"

Bai Xiaotian was startled and mumbled, "Yes, that's right! Don't mention it, but there's something more important I need to discuss with you. I heard that the six major sects are going to launch a surprise attack on our Tianlong Manor, trying to catch us off guard. How should we defend ourselves?"

As he spoke, he walked towards Bai Junyi.

Bai Junyi took a step back and laughed, "Young Master Li, what a clever trick you have! You actually tried to impersonate my father. My mother is so gentle and virtuous, how could she quarrel with my father?"

Bai Xiaotian said in surprise, "What nonsense are you talking about..." Before he could finish speaking, a loud voice shouted, "You scoundrel, how dare you impersonate me! You're incredibly audacious!" Bai Xiaotian rushed in from outside the door, grabbed Bai Junyi, and said, "Good daughter, I am your father, don't be fooled."

Bai Junyi smiled sweetly. "Daughter won't be fooled. Even if Father didn't come, I would have seen through him."

Bai Xiaotian, who had just entered, suddenly changed his expression, smashed the window with a palm, and left. Bai Junyi said, "Quickly, chase after him! I want to expose his true colors to his face."

Bai Xiaotian said, "Is that so? My good daughter really wasn't fooled?"

Bai Junyi said in surprise, "What?"

Before she finished speaking, Bai Xiaotian chanted and drew a spell with his hand. Bai Junyi immediately rolled on the ground and transformed into a white cat. Bai Xiaotian touched her again, and the white cat fainted. Bai Xiaotian took out a small red rope and tied it around its neck.

Bai Xiaotian picked up the white cat and carried it downstairs. At this time, the courtyard was brightly lit, and everyone was chasing after the person who had escaped through the window.

Bai Xiaotian shouted, "Brothers, hurry up and chase after him! There will be a reward for catching him!" He led the men to chase after him. After a while, a group of people also came towards them. The person facing them was none other than Bai Xiaotian. Both groups of people were stunned at the same time.

Hu Lie, the leader of the Azure Dragon Hall, was somewhat clever. He pointed to one of his subordinates and said, "Whoever knows his name is the real leader."

Bai Xiaotian, who had come with Hu Lie, immediately darted away like an arrow. The others hurriedly gave chase. Bai Xiaotian was furious and said, "Catch this brat! I'll tear him to pieces!"

As for Li Se, he had been transformed into Bai Xiaotian by Liang Gongchang, who was impersonating him. Li Se then went out to capture Bai Junyi, but Bai Junyi recognized him, so he had to use his supernatural powers to escape. Having shaken off his pursuers, Li Se returned to his residence. Following Liang Gongchang's instructions, he transformed back into his original form, lay on the bed, and pretended to sleep. Outside, a deafening commotion erupted, with gongs and drums beating and a

cacophony of voices. Just then, a man burst in. Seeing it was Liang Gongchang, Li Se exclaimed in surprise, "You're still here? I messed up my errand and was pretending I hadn't left! Why are you back?" Without a word, Liang Gongchang handed Li Se a sleeping white kitten and turned to leave. At the same time, a whooshing sound came, followed by another person bursting through the door. Li Se struck out with a palm strike, forcing the man outside, placed the kitten on the bed, and shouted, "Who's there?" " How dare you barge into my room!"

the man exclaimed. "I am Xie Xiyan. The battle at Longhu Mountain wasn't enough for me, and it seems we'll have to fight again today."

Just as he was about to barge in again, Bai Xiaotian called out from behind, "Brother Xie, please stop." Then Bai Xiaotian led several men into Li Se's room and said coldly, "The Alliance Leader is sleeping soundly!"

Li Se asked, "What do you mean, Senior? Are you here to arrest me?"

Bai Xiaotian replied, "I've been indulging in chess, and I've invited you to play with me."

Li Se laughed, "What a grand display! Since Senior is in such high spirits, I'll gladly oblige." He put on his clothes and came out with Bai Xiaotian.

The two played a game of chess haphazardly and then called it a day. Bai Xiaotian said, "Your skills are considerable, but it's a pity you've gone down the wrong path, aiding and abetting evil. It's truly a shame. You're also quite lecherous; otherwise, you would be truly excellent!"

Li Se had become familiar with Bai Xiaotian and was used to his reprimands, so she didn't care. She just asked curiously, "What do you mean by 'excellent'?"

Bai Xiaotian said, "If you weren't married, wouldn't my daughter be a perfect match for you? But now it's no use saying anything." He then turned and left.

Li Se was astonished. She returned to her room and found the door had been repaired. She lay on the bed absentmindedly, lost in thought. Seeing the little white cat that Liang Gongchang had brought still on the bed, meowing at her, she hugged it. The little white cat had big eyes and was quite cute. Unable to fall asleep, she held it in her arms, stroking and playing with it.

The white cat seemed unhappy, constantly meowing and tearing at the red rope tied around its neck. Li Se, finding this strange, untied the rope. This time the white cat stopped meowing, but still tried to escape from Li Se. Li Se laughed and scolded, "You naughty thing, still trying to ignore me?" He grabbed it and made it lie against his chest, and it fell asleep sometime later.

The next day, when Li Se woke up, he didn't know what time it was. After eating, he was pondering how to capture Bai Junyi again when he suddenly heard someone call from the corner, "Yu Da?"

Li Se looked and saw Liang Gongchang transformed into a tiny person. He quickly took him to bed and quietly asked, "Why are you here? Are you all four brothers alright?"

Liang Gongchang said anxiously, "Don't talk about that yet, where's the white cat from yesterday?"

Li Se said, "Oh no, I don't know where it ran off to!"

Liang Gongchang seemed very annoyed, saying, "Do you know that was Bai Junyi! I captured her and transformed her into a kitten, Yu Da, didn't you realize?"

Li Se was startled, thinking, "No wonder that cat was so beautiful and cute, and had such a friendly feel to it. It was Bai Junyi! This is really bad."

Although Liang Gongchang was angry, he didn't dare to blame Li Se, only saying, "There's no other way but to go find her again and try our luck! Tie Ding and the others were captured by the Tianlong Gang while covering for me. I thought capturing Bai Junyi would be a bargaining chip!"

Li Se said, "Don't worry, I will definitely save them."

Liang Gongchang said, "I know, Yu Da, let's each think of a way!" After saying that, he flew out of the window.

Li Se was watched by many people whenever he went out. Having no other choice, Li Se went to visit Bai Xiaotian, hoping to get some information, but Bai Xiaotian refused to see him. Just when Li Se was at his wit's end, Bai Junyi sent someone to invite him.

Li Se arrived at Bai Junyi's study, which was very elegant, with a landscape painting and several calligraphy and paintings by famous people.

As Li Se was observing, Bai Junyi walked in with a smile and said, "I've kept the Grand Alliance Leader waiting. Is my study alright?"

Li Se replied, "To be honest, I'm quite ashamed. You truly are a talented woman! It's far superior to my rough and unrefined study. However, looking at the calligraphy and paintings in your room, there's a serene and tranquil feel to it, quite refined and leisurely. But why do you still participate in the fighting and killing of the martial world?"

Bai Junyi smiled and said, "Do I need to explain? The day I achieve my goal will be the day I retire to my idyllic life in the countryside. That's what I truly yearn for." She finished speaking with a hopeful expression.

Li Se was taken aback and turned his head away, not wanting to look at her. Seeing Bai Junyi's expression, he couldn't help but want to shout in his heart: "Girl, tell me! How can I give you that kind of life? For you, I'm willing to sacrifice everything."

Bai Junyi suddenly laughed, "Look at me, I was so preoccupied with my own thoughts that I forgot to greet you. You certainly don't like listening to the worries of a girl like us!"

Li Se said, "No, actually I really wish you could..." Suddenly realizing her relationship with Bai Junyi, she paused and sighed.

Bai Junyi laughed, "It's alright, I think my wish is about to come true."

Li Se was stunned and asked, "What?"

At this moment, a maid brought over a small mouse. Bai Junyi picked it up and stroked it, saying, "Isn't this little mouse cute? I'll give it to you."

Li Se said, "This... whatever gift you give me, Miss, I will cherish it. But to be honest, I'm a rough man and can't take care of this little thing. If it's something you cherish, Miss, it's better not to give it to me."

Bai Junyi chuckled, her smile truly captivating. Li Se blushed and his heart pounded. Bai Junyi said, "This is your subordinate, Liang Gongchang! Do you want him or not?"

Li Se was already infatuated with Bai Junyi's every smile and gesture, and what she said was so unexpected that he didn't understand. He asked blankly, "What?"

Bai Junyi said, "Liang Gongchang is quite capable! He actually managed to fool me once. But I'm punishing him by making him a rat for seven days. This is the consequence of offending me." After saying that, she handed it to Li Se, and only then did Li Se understand.

Li Se sighed, "What a complete defeat! Good girl, tell me! What do you want?"

Bai Junyi said, "I know you can't make the decision to disband the six major sects. Let's settle our affairs in the martial world. Let's have a final battle on the summit of Mount Hua. Whoever wins will rule the martial world. That's perfectly fair. If you don't agree, your three wives might..."

Li Se thought for a moment and said, "Don't say anymore, girl. I'll go back and prepare. Let's settle this with our own hands! The fifteenth of next month is... " "When we fight this decisive battle, I hope you take care, young lady."

Chapter Nine: Able to Fight and Peace.

Li Se and Liang Gongchang, along with three others, rushed back to Xiangjun Manor overnight. The manor was packed with people. The leaders of several sects, including Buqing, were all there. Chu Liuguang and the women, including Gu Xiangjun, were also waiting in the manor. As soon as Li Se entered, everyone came to greet him. Li Se said, "You all knew I was coming back? Why are you all waiting for me so neatly?"

Gu Xiangjun smiled and said, "Sister Chu and you are of one mind, so of course we knew when you would be back!" Situ Ming smiled and said, "Alliance Leader, how did things go? Where are the ladies?"

Li Se slumped into a chair and sighed, "Things are all over. I think we should all disperse as soon as possible!"

Buqing, who had been hiding to the side, hurriedly came forward and asked with a change in expression, "Alliance Leader, what happened? What major incident occurred?"

Li Se angrily said, "You old man, you still come to ask me? It's all your doing!" Humph, he got up and left in a huff. The sect leaders exchanged glances, while Gu Xiangjun and the other two women quickly followed Li Se inside.

Once in the inner room, Chu Shuguang smiled silently, but Gu Xiangjun anxiously asked, "Li Lang, what happened?"

Li Se replied, "It's terrible! I couldn't rescue them. Under pressure from the Tianlong Gang, I agreed to fight them on Mount Hua to settle things."

Gu Xiangjun exclaimed, "Ah! This is terrible! The six major sects are no match for the Tianlong Gang!" Seeing Chu Shuguang's unchanged expression, she said, "Sister, why aren't you thinking of a solution? You seem unaffected. Do you have some brilliant plan?"

Hua Xiangrong interjected, "What do you mean, 'fight'? We might be able to beat them!"

Li Se asked, "Aren't you afraid of death?"

Hua Xiangrong replied, "As long as I'm with you, I'm not afraid of anything!"

Li Se was stunned for a moment before saying, "Silly girl!" Reaching out, he embraced Hua Xiangrong.

Chu Liuguang said, "It's getting late. My brother just got back from his journey and is exhausted. I'll come another day!" He then took his leave.

Gu Xiangjun saw Chu Liuguang off, but still worried, she returned to Li Se and asked, "Li Lang, are we really going to have a decisive battle with the Tianlong Gang?"

Li Se replied, "How can we not fight? Bao'er, Yaoguang, and Miss Leng are all in their hands!"

Gu Xiangjun bit her lip and said, "Alright, my lord, you should rest first. Let Hua Meimei take care of you." After saying this, Gu Xiangjun also left. After all, this matter was of great importance, and she was still worried, so she went to find Chu Liuguang to ask for clarification. She

had only gone halfway when she was stopped by several sect leaders who asked, "Madam, what did the Alliance Leader say?"

Gu Xiangjun said irritably, "You're asking me? Who am I supposed to ask? At most, we'll all die together! You're so old, what are you afraid of?" "He went straight there. "

The others immediately began to complain to Gu Xuanzhong, saying, "You're always so talkative, but you're useless when it comes to serious matters. Why didn't you try to find out what your daughter was thinking? Instead, you made us get scolded!"

Gu Xuanzhong said, "Don't let my daughter's gentle demeanor fool you. If she frowns, you'd better not provoke her. Didn't you see I didn't dare mess with her? You can't even tell the difference? You deserve to be scolded!" The group started arguing amongst themselves.

Gu Xiangjun entered Chu Liuguang's boudoir and, seeing that she had just finished washing up, went to help her comb her hair, saying, "Sister's hair is black and shiny, much better than sister's."

Chu Liuguang said, "Sister, you really know how to flatter people. I'm just a little girl, and you praise me like I'm a celestial being. I know what you're worried about, but Brother Li has a brilliant plan, so please don't worry!"

Gu Xiangjun said, "If you really know his kindness, just tell me! It will save me from worrying."

Chu Liuguang said, "As long as the Shaolin Sect sends out experts, the six sects may not be no match for the Tianlong Gang."

Gu Xiangjun immediately understood the reason.

Early the next morning, Gu Xuanzhong came to sound out Gu Xiangjun. Gu Xiangjun angrily said, "That old monk Buqing is truly useless. He couldn't even protect Miss Leng. Actually, Li Lang could have easily rescued Xue Yaoguang and Wang Bao'er, but he couldn't rescue Leng Ruxue, causing all our efforts to be in vain. Leng Ruxue's identity is extremely important. The Tianlong Gang has already reached an agreement with the Tianshan Sect. As long as Granny Tianshan doesn't send troops to help us, the Tianlong Gang will release Leng Ruxue. Tell me, Miss Leng is such an important person, and that old monk Buqing didn't even protect her properly. What use is that old guy? I feel disgusted just looking at him. Father, I'm not trying to criticize you, but you too, how come you've made such a stupid and useless friend all these years?"

Gu Xuanzhong was also furious after being scolded by Gu Xiangjun. When he went out of the house and saw Buqing and the others waiting for his news, he was enraged and said, "You old bald monk, it's all your fault for ruining our important plans. We're going to be wiped out!" He ignored everyone and left.

The old monk was completely bewildered by the scolding, and Situ Ming and the others quickly caught up to persuade him, saying, "Explain yourself before you leave!"

Gu Xuanzhong said, "The matter was originally easy to resolve! With our Alliance Leader's great wisdom and intelligence, rescuing the two ladies wouldn't be a problem. Plus, we're about to gain control of the salt affairs, and the Salt Gang will immediately grow stronger. But that little fairy from Tianshan was lost in the old monk's hands. Can you imagine how angry the Alliance Leader is? Now the Tianshan Sect and the Tianlong Gang have reached an agreement that as long as the Tianshan Sect doesn't help..." "If you help us, you'll release Leng Ruxue. Tell me, how many sects do we have left? You damned monk, you're all shirking your duties. There aren't a single damned monk from Shaolin to be seen, just you, the Shaolin abbot, clinging to the facade. My daughter said you're definitely an imposter. You've made us all suffer. If we'd known this would happen, we would have joined the Tianlong Gang earlier, and we could have become minor leaders. But you've been blocking us everywhere, all talk and no action. What good are you anyway?"

The monk, humiliated by the insults, retorted, " I'm in charge of Shaolin's affairs. I'm not pretending. When serious matters come to pass, Shaolin will definitely send someone here.

Gu Xuanzhong said: "Send someone?" Send a fart? When major events happened in the world in the past, how many of your Shaolin monks came out?

Situ Ming also became confused and said: "Old monk, please don't harm us. Tell me, are you the leader of Shaolin?" I heard that you are the master who was captured and castrated. Can you instruct those great monks in Shaolin? If there are only three sects of Huashan, Taishan and Qingcheng left now, it will be no better than 20 years ago. At that time, our sects had many masters and celebrities, but now we don’t have much strength! If you don't do it, we can simply surrender. You must tell us the truth! Don't let us hit an egg against a stone and cause the whole army to be annihilated! We cannot afford the infamy left in future generations. "

Qing Qing was forced to swear an oath, saying that Shaolin would do its best to support the six factions in overcoming this difficulty, and that everyone must work together to compete with the Tianlong Gang with death determination.

Gu Xuanzhong said, "Old monk, it's no use saying anything to us now. My daughter said that the Alliance Leader is disheartened and is planning to tell us to disband today so he can make arrangements for his affairs! If you really have the ability to bring Shaolin masters here, go to the Alliance Leader and make him believe you."

The crowd hurriedly pushed Buqing towards Li Se.

Seeing the four sect leaders rushing in, with servants unable to stop them, Li Se said, "You must already know the news. Your persuasion is useless; you all know our strength. I don't have my master Chuanying's unparalleled martial arts and charisma to inspire people and single-handedly fight the entire Tianlong Gang. My reputation in the martial world is terrible; thanks to you three, my reputation as a lecherous thief is widespread. Let's part ways amicably and go our separate ways."

Buqing said, "Alliance Leader, rest assured, our Shaolin Sect has countless masters. I will definitely ask the Shaolin abbot to let them..." " If you come down the mountain to help us, would we still be afraid of the Heavenly Dragon Gang?"

Li Se said, "Since Master has this intention, then Master should take charge of the overall situation. I am truly unworthy and incompetent to lead the six major sects! Look, as soon as I took over the six sects, the Hengshan Sect was annihilated. Although it was taken back, it is half dead and doesn't even have a sect leader yet! The so-called six major sects are nothing but a joke. I'm not doing it anymore, no matter what. You can take it if you want, or let someone else take it if you don't! I'm not doing it anymore."

The four sect leaders were stunned when they saw that Li Se's words left no room for negotiation. Just then, Suddenly, a clear and melodious voice rang out, sounding like celestial music to the four sect leaders, "So spineless? Who said they wouldn't be the alliance leader!"

The voice arrived as soon as the person appeared; everyone saw Yang Yingyun, accompanied by Princess Zhu Wushuang. Both were exceptionally beautiful and possessed extraordinary气质 (qi zhi, a kind of refined elegance), their radiance dazzling the eyes of the sect leaders, who looked as if they had seen saviors. Li Se exclaimed, "Ah! The princess is here! Sister Yang is here too!"

Zhu Wushuang nodded shyly to Li Se but remained silent. Yang Yingyun said, "Brother, I just heard you say you were going to quit and not be the alliance leader anymore?"

Li Se replied, "Yes! The six major sects are famous... " "It's pointless. The Heavenly Dragon Gang is about to have a major battle with us. What can I possibly fight them with? We should just disband and everyone keep to themselves."

Yang Yingyun frowned and said, "Are you angry because I didn't protect Bao'er and Yaoguang?"

Li Se said, "No, I couldn't save Bao'er and the others. The Heavenly Dragon Gang forced me to fight them next month at Mount Hua. They said they would give the six major sects a fair chance to fight, but the Heavenly Dragon Gang is full of hidden masters and has the support of the Demonic Sect. The six major sects are all talk and no action. What can we possibly fight them with? We might as well just admit defeat." "That's it."

Yang Yingyun said, "Don't worry, your sister will help you. Do you think you can call me sister for nothing? I'll ask my master to send experts to help. Given the relationship between your master and my master, she won't ignore it."

Zhu Wushuang said, "My master loves me very much too. She knows I'm in danger, she won't ignore it."

Li Se was too excited to speak, and after a long while said, "No, this is still too dangerous. I appreciate your kindness, but it's not worth the risk. I won't let you do this."

At this moment, Bu Qing was pushed forward by Gu Xuanzhong and others, shouting, "Alliance Leader! Alliance Leader, our Shaolin Sect's eighteen..." "The Arhats' martial arts are incredibly high! If I invite them to come out of seclusion, we're sure we can defeat the Heavenly Dragon Gang! Even if the Heavenly Dragon Gang has the help of the Demonic Sect, we have the Hidden Lake and Lishan Sects to assist them. At most, they'll be evenly matched with the experts we've invited!"

Li Se said, "No, without the Shaolin 108 Arhats Formation, I absolutely refuse to fight this battle. My master, Chuanying, left me a dying instruction: I shouldn't meddle in the affairs of your six major sects anymore. I was forced by you to become your so-called alliance leader. You have no money, no experts, why should I risk my life for you? You've ruined several of my beautiful young women..." "My wife is in danger, her life hanging in the balance. If you Shaolin still want to remain detached from worldly affairs and not concern yourselves with human matters, then none of you should come. In short, if even one of them comes, I will surrender to the Tianlong Gang. I am an official of the imperial court; the Tianlong Gang will not kill me, nor is it worthwhile for me to incur the wrath of the court. You should all think about it carefully! With my current status, I would probably have a brighter future if I didn't become some lousy alliance leader!"

After Li Se finished speaking, he took Zhu Wushuang's hand and tugged at Yang Yingyun's sleeve, saying, "Let's go. You've come all this way; let Xiangjun cook and treat you well."

The sect leaders... They stared at the retreating figures, exchanging glances for a while before realizing what was happening. They immediately surrounded Buqing, with Situ Ming saying affectionately, "Master Buqing, you are a highly virtuous monk, a living bodhisattva who saves people from suffering! We've known each other for decades, you must help us!"

Gu Xuanzhong also realized what was going on and said, "Yes! We always treat you to the best food and drink! The clothes and accessories you wear were donated by the Huashan and Taishan sects. If you don't get all the masters from Shaolin to help us, will you still receive such good treatment in the future? Do you intend to go door-to-door begging for alms?"

Qi Yue, the leader of the Qingcheng Sect, said in a deep voice, "Master, I see what the Alliance Leader means. He's just trying to provoke us. With the support of Hidden Lake and the Princess's Lishan Sect, our strength has greatly increased! If you lead all the masters of Shaolin, I think annihilating the Tianlong Gang in the battle of Mount Hua will be a piece of cake. I've only just realized the Alliance Leader's great talent and strategy today. I believe that after this great battle, our six major sects can regain their prestige and once again rule the martial world. It all depends on you, Master. I'll be leaving now. Let the masters of our Qingcheng Sect prepare well and all participate in this life-or-death battle to make new contributions. In my opinion, the end of the Tianlong Gang is here, hahaha." He turned and laughed as he left.

The remaining three were stunned. Gu Xuanzhong was the first to recover, laughing, "My precious son-in-law is truly a genius! He's got great talent and ambition, truly great talent and ambition! I'm relieved. As long as each of our sects sends out its strongest lineup, what's there to worry about in the Tianlong Gang not being destroyed? I'll go make the arrangements now."

Situ Ming also understood, saying, "Qi Yue is the most ambitious. Ever since the Tianlong Gang grew stronger, he's always felt that our six major sects have lost their former power. Now that he's willing to risk his life like this, he must be right. I'll quickly tell my disciples to fight hard and earn as much merit as possible; we can't let this guy steal all the credit." Then he left.

The remaining three were somewhat astonished, pondering the matter, feeling they couldn't figure out what Li Se was really up to. They thought, "Could Li Se have ambitions to dominate the world?" A chill ran down their spines; this matter was of utmost importance, and they absolutely couldn't afford to remain uninformed. Buqing finally thought of Chu Liuguang. Chu Liuguang was exceptionally intelligent, close to Li Se, and possessed the ability to foresee fortune and misfortune. It seemed that he had no choice but to probe her. "

Buqing went straight to visit Chu Liuguang. When he arrived at the door of Chu Liuguang's boudoir, the maid said to Buqing, "Master, please come in. Miss has been waiting for you for a long time."

Buqing was suspicious but had no choice but to follow her in.

When Chu Liuguang saw Buqing, she smiled and offered him a seat, and had a maid bring tea.

Buqing said, "Miss, you are incredibly insightful, practically a living deity! Knowing that I was coming to visit, it seems you also know the purpose of my visit?"

Chu Liuguang chuckled and said, "Master, your Buddhist teachings are profound, yet you think like an ordinary person. I am not some living deity, I am just guessing based on common sense. Master does not dare to ask Brother Li's thoughts directly, so you can only come to me to sound out the situation!"

Buqing sighed, "Miss is too clever, she can guess everything. I will not stand on ceremony. What is the Alliance Leader really thinking? Does he want to destroy the Heavenly Dragon Gang?" Chu Liuguang said, “

Master, you’re confused! Why don’t you trust your own judgment? You wouldn’t have chosen the wrong person. Only through fighting can we make peace; don’t you understand such a simple principle?”

Buqing’s eyes lit up, and he laughed loudly, “This old monk understands! Your words have truly cleared the fog for me! The Tianlong Gang is trying every means to fight our six major sects because they bully us for being weak and want to annihilate us in one battle. The Shaolin Sect has always rarely participated in matters of the martial world, at most sending three or five masters from their temple. Therefore, the Tianlong Gang didn’t expect the Shaolin Sect to send so many masters. If it were for peace, I could persuade the high monks of the temple to help!”

Chu Liuguang said, “Brother Li has a compassionate heart. He doesn’t want anyone to shed blood; he wants to maintain the current balance of power in the martial world, preventing either sect from acting arbitrarily.” Otherwise, if one faction dominates the world without any control, it will eventually fall into the old path of oppressing the people, and it will inevitably provoke the resistance of heroes across the land, leading to another great battle. These are all past experiences in the martial world. Brother Li is very smart; how could he not know these things?

Bu Qing chuckled and said, "Thank you for reminding me, Miss. I understand everything now. I will definitely make the Alliance Leader's far-sighted idea come true."

Li Se set up a family banquet to entertain Yang Yingyun, and the princess was naturally considered family. Li Se, Gu Xiangjun, Yang Yingyun, Zhu Wushuang, and Hua Xiangrong sat at a table with a few empty seats. Hua Xiangrong said, "It's a pity that Bao'er and the others aren't here! Sister Yang, I'm not very capable, and I couldn't protect Sister Leng well, but aren't you the Sword Queen? You're so powerful, how come you couldn't protect Bao'er and Sister Xue?"

Li Se scolded, "Rong'er, don't talk nonsense, it's really impolite."

Zhu Wushuang quickly said, "Sister Hua is right, why are you talking about her!" "Speaking of which, I also bear some responsibility. I didn't take good care of them in the capital."

Yang Yingyun chuckled, "Princess, you don't need to take the blame for me. It's all because I'm too incompetent. But there's no point in pursuing any responsibility now. Bao'er and the others aren't in any danger. What the Tianlong Gang wants isn't them, but the six major sects.

As long as we work together and defeat the Tianlong Gang, they'll be saved."

Li Se frowned and said, "Sister Yang, isn't there any way to stop this chaotic battle? Do you think this battle is inevitable?"

Yang Yingyun said, "What? Do you have a good idea?"

Li Se then smiled and said, "So you were testing me, sister. I thought you really thought the fighting was unavoidable!"

Yang Yingyun smiled and said, "Only by being able to fight can we make peace. Everything depends on strength. If we greatly increase our strength and intimidate the Tianlong Gang, they'll realize there's no advantage to be gained and will withdraw their troops."

Li Se slapped his thigh and said, "Sister's words resonate deeply with me. It's rare that you and the princess are willing to do this for me and to prevent bloodshed. I'm very grateful. Come, let me toast you two cups." Gu

Xiangjun and the others also joined in the drinking, and everyone downed their drinks in one gulp. They discussed the current situation, each offering their own ideas, and the conversation was quite lively.

Chapter Ten: Love is Trust

After the banquet, Gu Xiangjun arranged for Li Se and Zhu Wushuang to be together. The misunderstanding between the two was cleared up. Having been separated for so long, they couldn't help but express their deepest feelings

for each other. As soon as they entered the room, they embraced each other. Zhu Wushuang said, "Li Lang, I'm sorry. I didn't trust you at all. Actually, I deliberately caused you trouble because I still wanted to become an immortal. No matter what, I shouldn't have hurt you."

Li Se smiled and said, "It's alright! You have me in your heart, so you didn't hurt me badly. I know that very well."

Zhu Wushuang said sadly, "But I won't forgive myself. I'm too selfish." "I brought you no happiness or joy, only pain and trouble. I only thought of myself, never considering you. You were so good to me! Yet I didn't repay your kindness, and even repaid it with enmity."

Li Se covered the princess's mouth and laughed, "Look at how you describe yourself! You're not like that at all! The manor you built for me, the glory you brought to the capital, wasn't it all your doing? As for this little misunderstanding, why take it to heart? I will always remember your kindness and treat you well."

But Zhu Wushuang cried, "Fortunately, there was still a chance to make amends, so I didn't lose you, but I will always remember this lesson."

Li Se smiled and comforted her, "Alright! Don't cry! We've made up now! What's there to be sad about?"

Zhu Wushuang said, "You don't know, our Lishan Sect had a senior who made a big mistake because of a small one."

Zhu Wushuang said, "There was a man named Zhao Yan in the Lishan Sect who received a cloth screen from an old man who was good at painting. On it was painted a woman who was exceptionally beautiful." Zhao Yan said to the old man, "There is no such person in the world! If you can truly bring her back to life, I will marry her." The old man said, "This is my divine creation. She also has a name, Zhenzhen. As long as you call her name continuously day and night for one hundred days, she will surely respond. After she responds, immediately feed her wine made from the ashes of a hundred families, and she will definitely live."

Zhao Yan knew the old man had miraculous abilities, and this might not be a joke, so he did as he was told, calling Zhenzhen's name continuously day and night for one hundred days. Sure enough, the woman in the painting responded with a cry: "Ai—" Zhao Yan hurriedly fed her wine made from the ashes of a hundred families, and to his surprise, she really came back to life, stepped down from the painting, and was talking and laughing, eating and drinking just like a normal person. She said, "Thank you for calling me here. I am willing to be your wife and serve you well."

A year later, Zhenzhen gave birth to a child. When the child was two years old, a friend said to Zhao Yan, "This woman is a monster and will surely bring you disaster. I have a divine sword; you can use it to kill her!"

That evening, the friend gave the sword to Zhao Yan. As soon as Zhao Yan brought the sword into the house, Zhenzhen cried, "I am a spirit from Mount Heng. I don't know why my form was painted away. You called my name, and I didn't want to disappoint you, so I came down. Now that you doubt me, I can no longer live with you." With that, she floated into the soft barrier with the child, spitting out the hundred-family ash wine she had drunk earlier. Zhao Yan looked at the soft barrier; besides Zhenzhen and the child, it was all painted.

Zhu Wushuang said, "This is a story passed down by the founder of my Lishan School. I don't know the relationship between the people in the story and him. I was blinded by greed that day and didn't remember the lesson. Now I regret it terribly!"

Li Se was deeply moved, remembering that she had also misunderstood Gu Xiangjun. It seemed that one must cherish their loved ones, for how painful it would be to lose them one day!

Zhu Wushuang nestled in Li Se's arms and said, "The mistakes I made can't be undone, so I'll make it up to you doubly from now on, and make you happy."

Li Se was moved and said, "Love is complicated. No matter what happened before, I really don't blame you. With you treating me like this, I'm content, I could die without regrets. Actually, you only think about how to be good to me, but I haven't been particularly good to you."

Zhu Wushuang said, "Why do you say that? You've already been very good to me. And my lord, don't talk about life and death. Even if I die, I won't let you die. Don't worry, if we really fight the Tianlong Gang, I won't let you risk your life."

Li Se was even more moved. Seeing Zhu Wushuang's rosy cheeks and bright, alluring eyes, Li Se was filled with love. The faint scent of her perfume further fueled his desire. He embraced her, saying, "We'll be together forever, even in death."

Zhu Wushuang blushed, held in Li Se's strong arms, enveloped by his masculine energy. She was intoxicated, letting out a soft "Mmm." Li Se found her scent as fragrant as orchids, intoxicating and captivating. He saw the princess's hazy eyes, her perfectly proportioned nose like jade, her cherry-like mouth barely an inch long; her skin, white with a rosy glow, smooth and delicate, like a rosy sunset, or a peony veiled in mist, or a peach blossom moistened by rain—truly irresistible. Li Se could no longer resist and kissed her deeply.

Their passion was like dry tinder meeting a raging fire; how could it not ignite? Li Se removed the princess's gauze robe, revealing a vest underneath. He removed the vest, revealing a pale yellow bodice.

Through the bodice, Li Se touched the two tender breasts for a while before removing the bodice. He then untied the pink silk belt, removed the undergarment, revealing a short underpants underneath. He removed these underpants, revealing the lower body completely.

The princess was extremely shy, burying her face in Li Se's arms. Li Se saw that the princess had a slender waist, barely a hand's breadth, and her breasts were full and her buttocks were high, truly a feast for the eyes. Li Se also stripped naked, pressing the princess down onto the bed. The princess felt numb all over, panting and moaning incessantly.

(46) In a state of ecstasy, Li Se tasted the large penis again

, filled with love and tenderness.

Zhu Wushuang breathed softly, whether from pent-up longing or from a liking for this gentleness, she felt a surge of desire with each gentle thrust, her vulva glistening with nectar.

Li Se looked down and saw his penis glistening with moisture, pulling out strands of thick, white fluid with each thrust, tangling between their pubic hair—a sight that was intoxicating and tantalizing.

Seeing her lover's gaze, Zhu Wushuang felt flustered and whispered, "You...you...you..."

"You what?" Li Se asked, his eyes fixed on her, continuing to manipulate her, deliberately flicking and pulling, letting the strands of fluid cling to her skin.

"I just like it like this..." Zhu Wushuang said shyly, her voice barely audible.

“Because I miss you so much, you have no idea how much I miss you.” Li Se kissed her, his kisses falling like rain. Suddenly remembering that she liked him calling her that, he leaned close to her ear and softly whispered, “My dear Shuang’er… my sweet Shuang’er… my darling Shuang’er…”

Zhu Wushuang’s eyes widened, her body went limp, and her soul seemed to melt. Her jade-white nostrils suddenly fluttered rapidly, and she gasped softly, pleading, “Hurry up.”

Li Se was overjoyed and immediately increased his speed, penetrating deeper and deeper, using his burning glans to gently peck at the tender, exquisite thing at the end of her flower path.

“Ah… um… you pig…” Zhu Wushuang’s pink shoulders tightened, her moans becoming more and more delicate and sweet, her tender voice like a child’s, intoxicating and mesmerizing.

“How can Shuang’er’s body be so wonderful?” Li Se rode her wantonly, feeling that her flower was as smooth as cream, and so narrow and tight, wrapping his penis without any gaps, making each of his thrusts feel like ascending to heaven.

His engorged member, saturated with nectar, swelled and throbbed, burning hot as it swelled inside the girl.

"Ah...hot...so hot..." Zhu Wushuang gasped softly, feeling her flower chamber about to burst, a tingling, burning sensation.

"Where?" Li Se asked knowingly.

"Inside...inside...it's so swollen..." Zhu Wushuang responded dazedly, her two round, beautiful breasts swaying and bouncing with her body, creating alluring white waves that captivated the eye.

"Is it comfortable?" Li Se asked, panting heavily, staring at her chest.

Zhu Wushuang nodded, her eyes like silk, her cheeks like peaches. Perhaps drunk, perhaps overcome with passion, she possessed an unusually alluring beauty.

In the soft lamplight, her snow-white skin glowed with a rosy sheen, making her appear like a fairy descended to earth.

"Truly a fairy..." Li Se's throat tightened: "Hold me tight!"

Zhu Wushuang then wrapped her arms around his neck, embracing him tightly, unusually obedient.

Li Se then thrust into her from a seated position, his thrusts becoming increasingly rapid and forceful, his swollen, enormous glans tearing at her tightly closed vulva like a flower blooming and withering.

Zhu Wushuang's two snow-white breasts bounced up and down from the thrusts, her two rosy nipples, nestled on her snowy peaks, turning into two streaks of red. Her vulva seemed to melt, and a stream of nectar flowed out, soaking a large patch of the bedsheet beneath their buttocks.

Pleasure rapidly accumulated within them, and Zhu Wushuang, lost in passion, clung to him with her slender arms, suddenly pulling her lover's head close. Her cherry lips trembled as she aimlessly kissed his lips, chin, and chest, murmuring sweet, lustful words like flowing water, her passion unprecedented.

Li Se was even more unable to control himself. He suddenly reached out and grabbed the snowy breasts in front of him, kneading

them heavily. His thumb relentlessly rubbed the tender cherries at the peaks. His other hand went behind the jade-like woman's buttocks, embracing her pink buttocks and forcing her tender vulva forward, allowing her to fully receive the storm of desire he had generously bestowed upon her. "Ah! There! There!" Zhu Wushuang suddenly cried out urgently, her slender waist swaying violently, her body thrusting back and forth rapidly.

Li Se understood, and immediately increased his strength, each long thrust deep and powerful, sending his thunderous thrusts to the most tender spot that made the jade-like woman cry out in pain.

Zhu Wushuang's delicate body suddenly stiffened, then trembled violently as if struck by lightning. A captivating expression of ecstasy appeared on her pretty face, and she lost her virginity.

Li Se felt a warmth at the tip of his penis, as if it were being coated and wrapped by something. He almost ejaculated, but quickly stopped thrusting. With a thought, his internal energy immediately activated, firmly locking back his almost collapsing seminal gate.

Once Li Se's control was restored, he became vigorous again, thrusting his hips and waist with all his might, hoping to send his beloved to an even more exquisite peak.

Zhu Wushuang didn't know when to stop, only experiencing repeated pleasures, until her whole body felt completely limp. Her arms, which had been holding her lover, loosened, and she fell backward.

Li Se quickly caught her waist, but the girl's waist was as limp as a willow branch, and her upper body remained soft and boneless as she fell back onto the pillow.

Li Se felt a surge of intoxicating pleasure, and in the tingling, numb sensation, he loved this girl even more deeply.

Zhu Wushuang was still convulsing slightly, delicate and frail. Li Se felt a pang of heartache seeing her like this, so he paused his thrusting to let her recover. His eyes caught sight of Zhu Wushuang's two exquisitely beautiful legs, which he found incredibly alluring. He grabbed them and played with them, opening and closing them in various ways, pushing and lowering them, manipulating the jade-like woman's body to allow his iron rod to taste her flower orifice from different angles, exploring every secret.

How could there be so many variations? The sensations seemed different; some places rubbed itchy, some touched it sore, and some felt numb. Zhu Wushuang trembled and dazed as she endured the sensations. Having just ejaculated, her inner core was incredibly sensitive, causing her to involuntarily twist her pink buttocks, displaying her delicate beauty.

Li Se gazed greedily, wanting to imprint every detail of the jade-like woman's beauty into his heart.

Zhu Wushuang finally noticed, quickly stiffening her body, afraid to move an inch.

“Again, I want you!” Li Se pleaded in a low, husky voice, “Move your butt a little more.”

“I…I’m like this…” Zhu Wushuang said, her cheeks burning red, “Isn’t it…very embarrassing?”

“Shuang’er, you’re beautiful,” Li Se said softly.

Zhu Wushuang was overcome with shyness, but her slender waist and pink buttocks quietly began to move again.

“Yes, just like that, I like you like this.” Li Se leaned down to her face, his lips touching her ear.

“Maybe…I miss you so much…that’s why…I’m like this…” Zhu Wushuang’s voice was barely audible, still trying to explain.

“I want you like this! I wish I could just melt into one with you!” Li Se said from the bottom of his heart.

“Se Lang…” Zhu Wushuang called out sweetly, her heart filled with sweetness, all restraint vanished, her waist twisted more and more, and her buttocks were thrown higher.

“Let’s knead into one… Shuang’er and Selang knead into one… let’s knead into one now…” Li Se whispered in her ear, thrusting in and out more than ten times each time, then deeply inserting his precious stem, grinding and swirling it against her soft, tender flower.

“Ah… no… no… don’t… don’t…” Zhu Wushuang trembled and moaned.

“Hmm? Not good?” Li Se stared at her stunningly beautiful face, grinding even more vigorously.

“Ugh… don’t grind anymore… my heart is about to jump out… stop… ah… it hurts…” Zhu Wushuang trembled, her heart fluttering with a mixture of fear and pleasure.

“Okay, then let’s change to another one.” Li Se laughed, pulling her legs together and holding her close, pressing her face against his shoulders, then leaning forward to attack her.

Zhu Wushuang was completely lost in passion, feeling Li Se's overwhelming thrusts. His hard, iron-like member repeatedly pounded into her tender core, the pleasure and stimulation several times more intense than before. Suddenly unable to resist, she cried out, "Ah... there... there... I... I'm going to... do that again... ah..."

"You're going to lose it? Yes, cry out! I love to hear it!" Li Se felt a wave of weakness wash over him, but his thrusts became even stronger and more forceful, each stroke penetrating her tender bud.

Zhu Wushuang suddenly felt an intense itch inside, and in an instant, something burst forth from her most exquisite place, so violently that she almost fainted. At the same time, a warm current surged from her abdomen, spreading like a tide, engulfing her entire body in the blink of an eye.

Li Se noticed and quickly looked down, just in time to see a thick, white fluid gushing from their juncture, overflowing onto their pubic hair. Overwhelmed with ecstasy, he lifted Zhu Wushuang's pink buttocks and thrust into her several more times with great force.

Zhu Wushuang writhed in ecstasy, her snowy belly convulsing, her two pear-shaped breasts becoming even more erect and swollen.

In the slick flow, Li Se, still lost in his passion, suddenly thrust too hard, prying up her tender, supple opening, half of his penis wedging into a wondrous, recessed spot…

“Ah!” Zhu Wushuang cried out, the pain intense yet strangely beautiful, leaving her speechless.

Li Se felt something tender and soft, as if coated with a layer of slippery oil, and gasped with pleasure. Suddenly remembering his previous encounter with her, he adjusted his angle and thrust hard into that concave spot.

Zhu Wushuang groaned repeatedly, her voice trembling and distorted, then suddenly cried out urgently, "My love! I love you!" She released another surge of energy, a rapid, forceful spray.

"So powerful! What exactly is that place? It was the same last time..." Li Se was secretly amazed, thrusting towards the slippery, erect shaft, only to find himself unable to advance any further.

Zhu Wushuang looked as if in extreme agony, her cries sounding like heartbreak. She wondered if her unusual reaction had aroused her lover's curiosity. Next, that most sensitive spot was repeatedly rubbed, thrust into, and even pounded. The sensations there were unlike anywhere else; besides the astonishing pleasure, there was a tingling, numbness, pain, and palpitations that made one want to escape, layer upon layer rapidly ascending.

Li Se was covered in sweat, his heart pounding with anxiety: "Remember, you can go even deeper..."

Zhu Wushuang frowned and shook her head, her hair disheveled, looking like a bewitching beauty, seemingly on the verge of death.

Li Se's heart stirred, and as soon as the thought arose, his true energy surged forth, flowing to his lower abdomen in the blink of an eye. His jade stem trembled violently, and the tip of his penis began to slowly sink forward.

"Ah!" Zhu Wushuang cried out in alarm, desperately pulling at the corner of the blanket and biting it tightly. Her two jade-like, tender legs squeezed together, clamping the man's penis tightly.

Li Se channeled his true energy, and the iron stem trembled even more intensely. Suddenly, he felt a slippery sensation at the tip, and the tip of his penis plunged into an even deeper place. The touch was strangely smooth and tender, indescribably wonderful.

Zhu Wushuang stared in disbelief, her delicate body stiffening. Her treasure was extremely sensitive. Because she hadn't adjusted the angle of her jade palace with her energy, Li Se couldn't have entered at all, but he still managed to push it into her flower core. Zhu Wushuang's flower core contracted tightly, and her tender nest instinctively closed desperately, tightly gripping the scorching, invading giant.

Li Se groaned. The grooves and channels inside Zhu Wushuang's treasure were clearly visible, and the astonishing pleasure intensified exponentially. He tried to thrust, but ended up lifting Zhu Wushuang's entire lower body off the bed.

"No...don't move...it feels like it's stuck...stop..." Zhu Wushuang cried out in a daze, sweat pouring out, her hands gripping the sheets tightly, too afraid to move.

Li Se vaguely heard Zhu Wushuang cry out in pain. Although he stopped his violent thrusting, the irresistible pleasure still made him hold Zhu Wushuang's body and go wild, as if he wanted to destroy the jade beauty beneath him.

Sharp pain and overwhelming ecstasy swept over him, and Zhu Wushuang lost control and began to writhe wildly. Her tender heart, which was stuck in the iron rod, convulsed incessantly, and thick, sticky flower fluid gushed out like being poured or thrown, instantly filling her flower chamber, and then gushing out from her vulva, overflowing their bellies like rice soup.

Like a wild horse unleashed from the forest, Li Se was on the verge of ejaculation. Suddenly, with a sharp tug, he violently ripped open the tightly gripped flower core, forcefully pulling the entire glans out of the tender nest below.

Zhu Wushuang was terrified, her delicate body arching suddenly. A small stream of urine shot out from the upper corner of her vulva, shooting in a beautiful arc onto the man's taut iron belly, then shattering into hundreds of glistening beads, splattering both of them on their chests and abdomens.

Li Se was greatly surprised, his blood boiling and his seminal gates bursting open. He thrust his rock-hard iron rod deep into her, pressing it against her flower core and ejaculating with all his might, spraying the most beautiful woman's yang essence into Zhu Wushuang's most tender and beautiful place.

Zhu Wushuang's mind went blank, her beautiful eyes rolled back, and she fainted.

After a long, tender moment, Zhu Wushuang finally awoke in Li Se's arms, the afterglow of their intense pleasure still lingering. Patches of flush remained on her snow-white skin, and her body felt limp, as if all her bones had been removed.

"Shuang'er..." Li Se kissed her tenderly, calling softly.

"Was I dead just now?" Zhu Wushuang asked, her eyes still hazy. A lock of her hair fell from her forehead, curling and sticking to her forehead with sweat, adding a touch of allure to her beauty.

"Yes, but I'm alive again," Li Se smiled, his mind still lingering on the last moments of ecstasy with the beautiful woman.

Zhu Wushuang suddenly seemed to remember something, her face turning bright red.

Li Se looked at her, a mischievous smile on his face.

Regardless of how Li Se and the princess clear up their misunderstandings and how loving they may become, a storm is brewing in the martial arts world. News of the impending battle between the Tianlong Gang and the Six Major Sects has spread far and wide, and everyone is talking about it. This great war will determine the future landscape of the martial arts world, and the people living within the territories of both the Tianlong Gang and the Six Major Sects are especially concerned. The topic of conversation in the streets and alleys is entirely about this war.

Although the Tianlong Gang has a good reputation, most of the people accustomed to living in the territories of the Six Major Sects are unwilling to change their peaceful lives. Although they verbally complain about the taxes levied by the Six Major Sects, when it comes to change, they surprisingly support the Six Major Sects.

These past few days, Li Se has been gathering the strength of the six major sects every moment. Chu Liuguang said to Li Se, "Brother, I can no longer use magic. I can't set up any formations on the top of Mount Hua either, but I will support you spiritually."

Li Se said, "Look at your playful face, are you joking with me? Do you really think I can overcome this difficulty?"

Chu Liuguang stopped joking and said solemnly, "Brother, just do as you think! Your deeds will surely be passed down through the ages. I believe that after this great battle, the world will have a new understanding of you!"

Li Se sighed, "Yes! When I came here, I heard people talking on the street. They said I have a lot of luck with women. Since I have such good fortune with beautiful women, naturally everything else must be true too. They say I..." "I'm sure I can lead the six major sects to victory and defeat the evil Tianlong Gang. These people are really lovely. They're unhappy with the six major sects' excessive taxation, and I always hear them complaining, but when trouble comes, they still support the six major sects. It's truly touching."

Chu Liuguang smiled and said, "Yes! The people are actually very kind. They're grateful that they were able to live a peaceful and good life before. The Tianlong Gang doesn't quite understand the people's thoughts! That's why I said you, brother, will definitely be able to defeat them."

Li Se smiled and said, "Yes, I know I can. With my sister's encouragement and so many people who love me supporting me, I have no reason to fail."

But the Tianlong Gang is incredibly powerful. Can Li Se, leading the relatively weaker six major sects, defeat the Tianlong Gang?

The next

episode shows the Tianlong Gang and the six major sects preparing for a life-or-death battle at Mount Hua, but Li Se unexpectedly resolves the battle, thus creating the idiom "one kneel to pacify the world" in the martial arts world.

After this duel, the martial arts world seems to be at peace, but beneath the surface, a huge undercurrent is brewing. In the imperial court, the Prince of Han is secretly seizing power, while a member of the demonic sect is brewing an even greater upheaval.

Amidst the entanglements of numerous women, Li Se discovers he has fallen for Bai Junyi, thus altering his path of self-cultivation in the mortal world. Is this a weakness of human nature or an inevitable step on the path to immortality? How should one truly live life? Let us continue to witness Li Se's journey of self-cultivation in the book!

Chapter 11 ,

Dragon and Tiger Clash:

Mount Hua, renowned for its rugged beauty and perilous terrain, is known as the most dangerous mountain under heaven. It comprises five peaks, with the North Peak, also called Yuntai Peak, being the most precipitous, boasting sheer cliffs on three sides.

To vie for supremacy in the martial arts world, masters from the Tianlong Gang and the six major sects have gathered here, preparing for a grand martial arts battle.

Due to its treacherous terrain, those with weak martial arts skills would find even climbing Yuntai Peak difficult, let alone competing here. Therefore, it is the most suitable place for martial arts masters to test their skills.

At this moment, banners flutter wildly on Yuntai Peak. Two to three hundred people stood on each side of the mountain peak. One side bore the uniform banners of the Tianlong Gang, while the other displayed banners from six different sects, including Taishan, Huashan, and Hengshan. The

expressions on everyone's faces were extremely solemn. This was a life-or-death martial arts battle, a matter of life and death for each individual. The loser would not only die and lose their reputation, but their wives and children would never again live a comfortable life. Although there were only a few hundred people on the peak, they were all elites of the martial arts world, including some renowned figures who had lived in seclusion for decades. Their diverse and unusual attire and the wide variety of weapons they wielded indicated that they were no ordinary people. Many unique weapons, unseen for years, had appeared on Yuntai Peak, foreshadowing a martial arts battle that would be remembered for centuries to come.

The wind howled relentlessly across the mountaintop, whipping and rustling everyone's clothes. The two groups stared at each other silently, no one speaking. A flock of birds flew by, chirping, seemingly puzzled by the strange people standing on the mountaintop.

Suddenly, a voice broke the silence—it was Bai Xiaotian, the leader of the Tianlong Gang. He stepped forward and shouted, “Alliance Leader Li, I never imagined that our two factions would ultimately be unable to escape such a great battle. Alliance Leader, you are a man of pragmatism. Do you really intend to fight a losing battle and bring about your own destruction? Don’t you pride yourself on valuing life and being kind and benevolent? Your current actions are completely inconsistent with what you say!”

Li Se stepped forward and said with conviction, “Alliance Leader Bai is a great hero, decisive and bold in his actions. In the past, he ruthlessly destroyed any gangs that refused to submit, most famously wiping out seven in one night, his fame resounding throughout the martial world. Now that he has grown powerful, he has come to challenge our six major sects, naturally wanting to unify the martial world. Alliance Leader, in the name of benefiting the people, has launched such a large-scale war…” "You can fool the world, but you can't fool the six major sects. The leader says I have a benevolent heart, and that's true. It's precisely because of my benevolence that I'm determined to fight you demons to the death."

Bai Xiaotian laughed out loud, "So you're willing to fight me to resist this demon? But who are the ones harming the people? The six major sects collect nearly a million taels of tax a year. Where does all that money come from? Does it fall from the sky? It's all squeezed from the people! How laughable that you call yourself righteous."

Li Se bit his lip and said, "That's right, that's how it used to be. But I've been rectifying these problems, and it's already effective. Can't you see that? The news of our battle has spread throughout the martial world. Look at what the people are saying. Do they support you more, or do they support..." "How many of our six major sects support us?"

Bai Xiaotian sneered. "Some commoners have been fooled and can't distinguish right from wrong. They don't know how comfortable the people on my territory are..."

Li Se said, "The commoners are ignorant? Haha, the leader really underestimates people. Many commoners are talking privately, saying that they've finally managed to feed the six major sects, and if a new sect comes, we commoners will suffer another round of exploitation! Don't be fooled by the fact that the people the leader leads now are all hardworking and resilient. Once they dominate the martial world, without opponents or anyone to control them, and can do whatever they want, can you guarantee they won't be greedy for beautiful women and money? Didn't the six major sects that my master supported and helped back then also have a good reputation throughout the martial world? Frugality in poverty, greed in wealth—these are human flaws." "Our leader is a hero of unparalleled strength and intelligence; surely he understands this principle?"

Bai Xiaotian was taken aback, speechless. Li Se's words were indeed true. After thinking for a while, he said, "I, Bai Xiaotian, pride myself on being able to bring benefits to the people of the world. For decades, I have been doing so, and my good brothers who follow me have also been working towards this goal. A true man born into this world, if he doesn't make a contribution to the people, wouldn't he have lived in vain? Actually, our leader seems to be a truly heroic figure who genuinely cares for the people, but I am not a god and cannot judge his sincerity. However, I know that as long as our Tianlong Gang defeats the six major sects, we can eradicate those powerful figures and those nouveau riche heroes who harm the people, making them disappear completely and restoring a clean environment to the martial world."

Li Se sighed softly, “Your intentions are good, but they may not necessarily be truly good for the people! Before the Six Great Sects had the power they have now in the martial world, it was chaotic, with rampant robbery, murder, and arson. The Six Great Sects initially harbored the desire to rid the world of evil. However, as the martial world became more peaceful, many within the Six Sects became corrupt and degenerate, oppressing the people. So, while their initial intentions and aspirations were good, no sect can last forever. My friend, Mr. Jiao, is a learned scholar, and he told me that only when there are two opposing forces in the martial world checking and balancing each other—firstly, to supervise each other, and secondly, to ensure the well-being of the people…” With their support, everyone will be more vigilant and less prone to corruption and depravity. Therefore, why don't our two families live in peace, remind each other, and jointly govern the entire martial world? If you are determined to dominate the martial world and follow the old path of our six major sects, you will ultimately harm the people. I will never agree to that.”

Bai Xiaotian pondered for a long time before sighing, “You are indeed eloquent. In this situation, I actually listened to your nonsense and even started thinking carefully, wasting so much of my time! If we can argue with words, there's no need for martial arts. If words are useful, what's the point of us martial artists learning martial arts? The six major sects are no match for our Tianlong Gang. Today, regardless of right or wrong, we must achieve our goal.” "Our wish. Alliance Leader Li, you have such foresight! Why not disband the six major sects and follow me to govern the martial world? With someone of your exceptional talent, nothing detrimental to the people will happen. Besides, you are young, and I am old. Do we really need to wait many more years? In a few years, won't the martial world be entirely yours? In front of so many people, I will not break my word, and this is certainly not a ploy to lure the enemy. Otherwise, with the overwhelming power of my Heavenly Dragon Gang today, Alliance Leader and all your beauties would likely be doomed."

Li Se remained composed and resolutely said, "My late master uncle was most critical of Confucianism, saying that it had been distorted and corrupted by those in power, and very few good words remained in the world. But there was one thing he said..." "I don't agree, but I admire it."

Li Se slowly said, "Confucius said, 'Take them by force, discourage them by arms, and they will not change their stance even when facing death.' My uncle highly praised this saying, and I like it very much too."

Bai Xiaotian solemnly said, "Well said, 'They will not change their stance even when facing death.' The Alliance Leader is indeed a true man. It's really exhilarating to have an opponent like you today! Alright, since that's the case, let's settle this with our skills! As for the merits and demerits of the ages, who can say for sure? The strong have always ruled the world, so let's settle this with a battle!"

Seeing that a great battle was inevitable and unable to come up with a better plan, Li Se was inwardly distressed. However, if he didn't agree now, he would lose momentum and be at a great disadvantage, which would be disastrous.

Li Se was about to agree first and then make further plans when a female voice suddenly came from behind him: "Since Senior Bai is not going to let the six major sects go, it will be a huge melee, inevitably resulting in countless deaths and injuries

to the innocent. Why don't we each send three people, fight three battles and win two, to decide the fate of the world? Wouldn't that be better?" Bai Xiaotian saw a woman emerge, with a slender figure, smiling and approaching, kind and friendly, a sight to behold. He exclaimed, "Are you the Sword Queen, Miss Yang? Although I have heard of you before, I didn't expect you to be so young."

Yang Yingyun smiled and said, "The sect leader calls me Yingyun." "Alright, no need to be so polite. The gang leader must be quite surprised to see me so young and with such a childish face."

Bai Xiaotian said proudly, "Even if that's true! With the sword and saber combined, we'll be invincible. It's a pity you're all still too young and your skills are limited. If you wait a few more years, won't the entire martial world be yours? If your master comes, our Heavenly Dragon Gang will probably have to retreat. It's a pity the time isn't right!"

Yang Yingyun smiled and stared at Bai Xiaotian, saying, "Senior, you keep avoiding my words, preferring to sacrifice more..." "Are you afraid that we, the Sword Master and the Sword Queen, will each win a round? It seems the

Heavenly Dragon Gang is nothing but a rabble!" Bai Xiaotian chuckled, "Young lady, are you so confident in defeating us? Young people really don't know their own limitations. Our gang is full of hidden talents, including masters who have been retired from the martial world for decades, and experts of the same generation as your master. Even if your master came here, he wouldn't dare to underestimate us. What makes you think you can beat us?"

Yang Yingyun chuckled, "According to what you're saying, they're all old bones. Even if I don't make a move, they'll rot away on their own. Why would I dare to show my face?" "Anyone?"

Bai Xiaotian was taken aback by Yang Yingyun's seemingly gentle and lovely demeanor, finding her words surprisingly vicious. He choked on his words, then angrily retorted, "Isn't your master an old man too? Since you're so confident and determined to fight, then let's have a contest. But I'm afraid if you lose, your subordinates will be dissatisfied, wouldn't that be a wasted effort?" He then channeled his inner energy and shouted, "Today, the Tianlong Gang challenges the six major sects, each sending three members. Best two out of three rounds. Do any of the experts from the six sects have any objections?"

His shout echoed throughout the mountains, the echoes fading away after a long while. No one from the six major sects spoke; they all looked at Li Se, clearly due to their strict discipline, leaving everything to the alliance leader's decision.

Li Se couldn't fathom Yang Yingyun's thoughts, but he knew Yang Yingyun wouldn't do this without reason. Furthermore, he hadn't come up with a good idea yet, and seeing that the Shaolin masters who hadn't agreed to the agreement were nowhere to be seen, he wondered what the monk was up to. Since they hadn't appeared yet, he could only steel himself and say in a deep voice, "Don't worry, Chief, the six major sects always keep their promises." These words undoubtedly affirmed Yang Yingyun's idea.

Bai Xiaotian said, "It's best not to back out, otherwise..." His tiger-like eyes gleamed as he surveyed the crowd before turning to Yang Yingyun and saying, "I'd like to see what methods you have to turn the tide!" He then turned to the Tianlong Gang members behind him and said softly, "Master Shushan, I'll leave this first battle to you!"

As if carried out by a white cloud, a beautiful nun with a refined appearance floated out from the crowd. She arrived with a smile, appearing to be in her forties, with kind eyes and gentle features. Ignoring Li Se, she only addressed Yang Yingyun, saying, "How is my master? It's been ten years! You've grown so much! When I return to the mortal realm..." "Master will laugh at me if he finds out!"

Yang Yingyun said in surprise, "So it was you? No wonder Bai Junyi's magic is so powerful, it was you who taught her!" She said dejectedly, "It seems we don't need to fight this first battle, we'll just admit defeat."

Suddenly, someone behind her shouted, "Admit defeat? How outrageous! No matter who she is, we can't admit defeat before we've even fought. I wanted to see just how powerful the legendary immortals of the Shu Mountain Sect are." Then, a Taoist priest walked out from the formation of the six major sects. He wore a turban and a blue Taoist robe. He had a strange appearance, a dignified face, high cheekbones, a broad forehead, and a full beard.

Yang Yingyun didn't recognize the man and was about to tell him about the nun's background and question her when Chu Liuguang stepped forward and said to the Taoist priest, "Master, this female master is very powerful. I don't even know her origins. You don't need to risk fighting her. Don't you want the Shangqing Manual? As long as you take the manual and never bother me again, I'll give it to you now. You can leave!"

The Taoist priest was none other than Wu Yong, the sect leader of the Maoshan Sect and Chu Liuguang's uncle. After hearing Chu Liuguang's words, he laughed loudly and said, "I want the manual, and I want to fight this woman too. What do I need the manual for? Isn't it to improve my magical power? Now that I've seen such a rare master, wouldn't I regret it if I didn't fight her?" After saying this, he ignored Chu Liuguang and said to the nun, "I am a disciple of the Maoshan Sect. It is an honor to fight a senior from the Shushan Sect today!" His gaze was like torches, shooting towards the Shushan master.

Yang Yingyun, Li Se, and Chu Liuguang, seeing this, all retreated into the formation.

Seeing that Wu Yong was acting out for the sake of the six major sects, Li Se wondered if he really wanted to challenge a master. She walked over to Chu Liuguang, but before she could ask, the young Taoist priest Ming Mei, whom she had met at Maoshan, smiled at Chu Liuguang and said, "Sister, my master still cares about you, doesn't he? He's not just after the secret manual!"

Chu Liuguang nodded sadly.

Ming Mei, seemingly carefree, grinned and said, "Don't worry! My master will be fine." Then, looking at Li Se, he added, "The person you've chosen, sister, is indeed good, but compared to someone as free-spirited and broad-minded as me, he's still lacking. Sister, you should really consider me!"

Chu Liuguang scolded, "You! You're not a child anymore, but you still talk so unclearly. When will you act like an adult?"

Li Se was greatly surprised to hear Ming Mei immediately point out his weakness—his inability to wield power freely. He thought to himself, "This little Taoist priest is truly extraordinary! I really underestimated him before!"

Meanwhile, the scene before them was entirely different. Master Shushan and Wu Yong seemed to exist in another world. Wu Yong roared in the air, lightning flashed, and torrential rain poured down; while Master Shushan sat atop a small mountain, the floodwaters reaching its foot, yet posing no threat to her.

The lightning intensified, the rain increased, and the floodwaters rose, but no matter how high they rose, they couldn't submerge the small mountain; it seemed as if the mountain itself was growing upwards. The onlookers watched the incredible spectacle, as if witnessing a mirage, utterly astonished. Seeing that the floodwaters couldn't harm Master Shushan, Wu Yong cursed again. Suddenly, a huge fire wheel enveloped Master Shushan, hurtling towards her head with lightning speed.

Master Shushan remained calm, casting a talisman, and the lightning and fire wheel vanished. Despite the surging waves and roaring lightning, the force seemed to cleave mountains and rivers, unstoppable, yet it could not harm the small mountain where Master Shushan resided.

Seeing Master Shushan effortlessly neutralize his magic, Wuyong roared to bolster his spirits, then unleashed another extraordinary technique. He had gained much from his previous battle with Tianlingzi, feeling his magic had greatly improved and his confidence soared. This time, he wanted to test its power. Besides, Master Shushan was extremely powerful; he wanted to strike first and defeat her in one fell swoop.

Wuyong concentrated all his energy, gritted his teeth, and let out a great roar. Simultaneously, he raised his hands, and two emerald-green ant hooks transformed into two beams of emerald and crystalline light, each dozens of feet long, swirling in the air like a dragon's tail, aiming to ensnare Master Shushan. These ant hooks were Wuyong's most treasured magic weapon, incredibly wondrous, forged over decades of painstaking effort. He would never use them lightly unless facing a life-or-death enemy. Last time, when facing Tian Lingzi, he used this final move, but it was countered by Tian Lingzi. After returning, he devoted himself to cultivation, eliminating the weakness of this move and refining it to be even more powerful.

Now, when he unleashed it, seeing that its power was a hundred times greater than before, he was extremely proud, thinking, "Even if you are powerful, it will be difficult for you to withstand my treasure. Let you be arrogant and not attack me first, I'll let you taste its power!"

Master Shushan's expression changed upon seeing this. She could no longer remain seated on the mountaintop and took to the air. However, the Ant Hook seemed to have eyes, following her and attacking her.

Master Shushan dodged and evaded in the air, and after spinning several times, she suddenly sat cross-legged in the air. Her body suddenly shrank, and then something like lotus petals enveloped her. The Ant Hook struck the lotus petals, but the lotus petals suddenly grew larger, and the Ant Hook was deflected. March 2nd,
Chapter Two: Swords Drawn.

Seeing that Wu Yong had left, the Shushan Master returned to the Tianlong Gang's formation and said to Bai Tingyu, "Disciple, your master has been more than kind to you. From now on, everything depends on yourself. Take care of yourself and don't do anything against your conscience; that's the best thing you can do for your master." He smiled and suddenly disappeared.

Bai Tingyu, not expecting his master to leave so abruptly, cried out, "Master..." But the Shushan Master had already vanished without a trace.

The first match was thus decided, but most people were astonished by the miraculous power of the two, especially the members of the six sects, whose faces were extremely grim after losing a round.

Yang Yingyun, however, didn't seem to care. She walked into the arena with a smile and said, "I came up with the idea for this duel, so naturally I'll be the one to accept the next challenge! But I have an old friend I'd like to invite out, Chief Bai, is that alright?"

Bai Xiaotian saw that Yang Yingyun was chatting and laughing as if nothing had happened, and seemed quite confident. He was about to find an excuse to reject her suggestion when he saw Zhang Xuanji come out laughing and say, "Little girl, you're not here to see me, are you? Aren't we old friends?"

Bai Xiaotian felt relieved and breathed a sigh of relief, smiling without saying anything more.

Yang Yingyun said, "I'm talking about you. But what's with all this 'little girl' nonsense? If we're talking about seniority, it's not right for you to call me that."

Zhang Xuanji laughed heartily and said, "Yes, that's true. Back when your master roamed the world, he was indeed a bit ahead of me. But time heals all wounds, and there's no such thing as first or last. You must have come up with some good way to deal with me now, wanting to defeat me and make a name for yourself. If you defeat me, the world will belong to you young people, and who will remember us old folks?" Zhang Xuanji spoke lightly, his expression seemingly filled with sighs, but his words carried a teasing undertone that anyone could hear.

Yang Yingyun, however, seemed oblivious, feigning surprise, and said, "Since you know I have a way to deal with you, why do you still want to run into my trap? How strange! It seems some old fogies can't back down without being smashed."

Zhang Xuanji said, "Is that so? Then let's try it. I really want to see just how powerful the successor of Hidden Lake is!"

After he finished speaking, he flicked his sleeve, and a surge of true energy erupted, forcing everyone around to unconsciously take a step back.

Yang Yingyun said, "Alright, I'll let you witness the ultimate skill of Hidden Lake. Last time, I was afraid of hurting Sister Yaoguang, so I let you take her away. This time, I'll make sure you suffer." After saying that, she took out the sword from her back.

Zhang Xuanji said, "You're so confident, I want to see just how exquisite your swordsmanship is, and whether you held back last time, or came up with some ingenious trick to subdue me!" After saying that, he gestured for Zhang Xuanji to make his move. Before he attacked, Zhang Xuanji suddenly became solemn, clearly taking the matter very seriously and not daring to be careless in the slightest.

Yang Yingyun, however, showed no mercy, launching a ruthless attack right from the start. Her sword moved nimbly, a sharp edge aimed directly at Zhang Xuanji's shoulder and arm, the move swift and powerful, the cold light dazzling. Zhang Xuanji was one of the most renowned masters in the martial world, possessing astonishing skill. He remained neither careless nor flustered, simply anticipating the attack's momentum. He drew a folding fan from his waist and slammed it down on the back of Yang Yingyun's sword with lightning speed and precision. With a resounding clang, the fan struck squarely, sparks flying. The fan was made of cold iron and jade, incredibly hard.

Yang Yingyun immediately sensed the immense power of the blow, the impact making his hands feel hot. He quickly withdrew his sword, drawing a flash of light in front of him to protect himself.

Both had a general idea of each other's skill from their previous encounter; Zhang Xuanji was significantly older and more skilled. He hadn't expected Yang Yingyun to dare to ignore his attack and take it head-on. Zhang Xuanji unleashed his unique weapon, but Yang Yingyun still didn't know how to avoid its sharp edge.

Zhang Xuanji thought to himself, "What a girl, is she courting death?" He seized the opportunity to attack, and Yang Yingyun retreated with a single move, immediately falling into a disadvantageous position. Zhang Xuanji unleashed a storm of attacks.

Zhang Xuanji extended his right arm, opening his folding fan, which he twirled in a flurry, leaping gracefully towards Yang Yingyun. Yang Yingyun was not to be outdone, parrying each move, unleashing the full power of her longsword to fight against Zhang Xuanji's world-renowned folding fan, using the length of the sword to overcome the shortness of the fan.

Yang Yingyun and Zhang Xuanji engaged in a fierce battle of offense, each move relentless, each vying for the initiative. In this close-quarters combat, a single misstep could have disastrous consequences; this style of fighting was a hundred times more dangerous than any other. In aerial combat, the speed of movement allows for the dissipation of most of the force even if one is struck, or the momentum can be used to evade. In magical combat, there's also a chance to escape and dodge. However, in this close-quarters melee, every move is crucial, and not a single ounce of strength is wasted. It may be visually unappealing, but all that power is directed at the opponent, highlighting the extreme danger. Their combined power is capable of splitting mountains and shattering rocks, causing the heavens and earth to collapse. In such a situation, one cannot rely on external techniques; without superior mental cultivation and refined internal energy, there is no chance of victory. This is the principle behind the saying "great skill appears clumsy," where the simplest method is often the most superior and difficult.

Yang Yingyun's swordsmanship is extraordinary, seemingly moving forward and backward, left and right, sometimes light, sometimes heavy, incorporating various sword techniques, yet no two moves are alike.

Zhang Xuanji's fan techniques, incorporating palm strikes, were extremely unusual. Although his attacks were swift as lightning and as fast as wind and rain, seemingly without any rhyme or reason, his body movements and footwork followed the "Eight Gates" and "Five Steps" without the slightest disorder. The "Eight Gates" refer to eight directions, derived from the eight trigrams of the I Ching: Kan, Li, Ke, Zhen, Yi, Qian, Kun, and Liang, which are four "positive directions" and four "diagonal directions." The "Five Steps" refer to five footholds, derived from the five elements: metal, wood, water, fire, and earth, namely: forward, backward, left (including the intention to turn left), and right (including the intention to turn right). Zhang Xuanji's skills were pure and elegant, subtly displaying the aura of a king.

The two fought fiercely, and the palms of the assembled masters were sweating as they watched. Zhang Xuanji's palm techniques combined with his fan techniques were extremely powerful, and his footwork used the "Eight Gates" and "Five Steps" body movements, combining hardness and softness. Only someone with unparalleled skill could achieve such a feat. However, Yang Yingyun and he exchanged blows, fighting for over two hundred moves. Although Yang Yingyun was slightly at a disadvantage, she showed no signs of defeat. Yang Yingyun, so young, possessed such skill; not only were the onlookers filled with admiration, but even Zhang Xuanji was secretly astonished. His expression turned solemn as he focused intently on his opponent, unleashing his decades-old martial arts techniques with ever-increasing ferocity!

The battle between these two peerless masters captivated everyone on the peak. The top-tier experts watched with bated breath, while those who couldn't discern the difference in their abilities simply cheered them on from the sidelines.

Seeing Zhang Xuanji's profound and pure martial arts, which differed from the legendary demonic sect's techniques, Li Se thought, "They say the demonic sect's evil arts are powerful and insidious, but it seems that's not entirely true. When martial arts reach their peak, all paths lead to the same destination!" He was very worried about Yang Yingyun; his palms were sweating, much more nervous than when he himself was sparring.

At this moment, Zhang Xuanji seized an opportunity, channeling his inner strength into a palm strike. The air whistled as Yang Yingyun dodged, her robes billowing in the wind. Suddenly, her longsword pierced down from mid-air. Zhang Xuanji abruptly turned, unleashing a simultaneous palm strike and a fan, aiming for Yang Yingyun's vital points. Yang Yingyun shifted slightly, her sword flashing upwards.

Zhang Xuanji seemed to have anticipated this move, stepping forward. Yang Yingyun's sword tip pierced his ribs. He brought his arms together, splitting them to the left and right, and in a flash, rammed into Yang Yingyun, intending to kill her.

Yang Yingyun's sword hilt sank, the blade rebounding, aiming for Zhang Xuanji's "Qimen" acupoint under his armpit. Zhang Xuanji didn't move, his body suddenly shrinking to avoid the attack. Suddenly, his left hand transformed from palm to fist, striking horizontally towards Yang Yingyun's chest. Yang Yingyun leaped, soaring more than ten feet into the air, before falling diagonally downwards. With a horizontal slash, Zhang Xuanji stepped into the "Kan" position, shifting to the "Li" position. His left hand aimed to seize Yang Yingyun's sword-wielding wrist, while his right hand, holding a folding fan, attacked her face. However, Yang Yingyun's sword, halfway through its trajectory, suddenly changed direction, slashing directly towards the direction Zhang Xuanji had dodged.

Zhang Xuanji was taken aback, realizing the true wonder of Hidden Lake's martial arts. Although Yang Yingyun's skill was inferior to his, she had managed to hold her own with her incredible swordsmanship, managing both offense and defense. Zhang Xuanji, with his superb martial arts skills and swift change of move, spun from the "Li" position, his left palm forming a double middle and index finger strike against Yang Yingyun's "Phoenix Eye" acupoint on her shoulder. Yang Yingyun's sword swiftly shifted, countering with attack, forcing Zhang Xuanji to dodge again from the "Li" position, both their attacks missing their mark.

The two fought fiercely, each making dangerous moves, but ultimately ending in a draw.

Zhang Xuanji, a seasoned warrior for decades, had fought a young woman for half a day without gaining the upper hand, and his pride was burning. Seeing Yang Yingyun's smiling face, he felt a surge of anger and suddenly struck with a palm. Yang Yingyun twisted her waist to dodge, returning the blow with her sword. Zhang Xuanji countered with a left fist and a right fan, striking his chest and wrist simultaneously. Yang Yingyun abruptly turned, her sword blocking her path, attacking from the flank. Her gaze was disdainful, her movements slow and deliberate, as if it were child's play. Zhang Xuanji's anger surged. But Yang Yingyun's previously slow swordplay suddenly became lightning fast; a flash of blue light, and the blade was already at his face!

It turned out that Yang Yingyun was clever and cunning. She deliberately provoked Zhang Xuanji first, disturbing his mind, and then used seemingly childish, slow sword moves to catch him off guard. Only then did she suddenly unleash her unique sword technique, a sudden change of move. It sounded effortless, but this move could only be used by someone of exceptional intelligence; a miscalculation would result in defeat. Sure enough, Zhang Xuanji was taken aback and hurriedly dodged. Yang Yingyun's sword tip turned, aiming for his throat. Zhang Xuanji pulled back his shoulder and grabbed with his left hand, trying to snatch her sword. However, Yang Yingyun's sword strike, seemingly aimed at his throat, suddenly thrust out from the side as she dodged. Zhang Xuanji leaped, feeling a cold wind brush past his hair.

Yang Yingyun thought she had gained the upper hand, but Zhang Xuanji suddenly moved, defying all logic, like a crane soaring through the air, and flew over abruptly. Yang Yingyun was utterly astonished by her opponent's superior skill and swift change of tactics. In her haste, she swung her sword swiftly, but her body twisted diagonally in the opposite direction. Zhang Xuanji's attack was extremely fierce. Although Yang Yingyun had the initial advantage, she was momentarily careless, and her attempt to imitate him backfired spectacularly. Zhang Xuanji's fan struck Yang Yingyun's sword. With decades of experience, a clang rang out, and the figures instantly separated. Yang Yingyun leaped seven or eight feet away, panting heavily, clearly injured and having suffered a hidden loss.

Zhang Xuanji remained calm and unperturbed, allowing Yang Yingyun to recover.

Yang Yingyun suddenly glared fiercely at Zhang Xuanji and said viciously, "You're so old, yet you still refuse to die! In your youth you were dissolute and irresponsible, a complete scoundrel, and you haven't been punished by heaven! Even if I die today, I won't let you go!"

Zhang Xuanji was slightly stunned, greatly surprised, never expecting Yang Yingyun to say such a thing. He then realized: it must be because Yang Yingyun was so beautiful and elegant, like a fairy, that she was angered by these words, which surprised him.

At this moment, Yang Yingyun's eyes blazed with anger as she thrust her sword forward. Although Zhang Xuanji found Yang Yingyun's words strange, he couldn't dwell on it now. Seeing Yang Yingyun's angry attack, though powerful, it lacked precision and was far from accurate.

At this moment, Yang Yingyun was essentially throwing an egg against a rock; between masters, a slight difference in skill was like a two-year-old child fighting a strong man.

Seeing Yang Yingyun's attack, Zhang Xuanji casually parried, and Yang Yingyun was forced back. Seeing Yang Yingyun acting as if she had lost her mind, her attacks, though desperate, lacked any real power. He couldn't understand why someone with such a high level of cultivation would act so erratically, but at this crucial moment deciding the fate of both factions, he had no time to think it through. He decided to defeat her first! Zhang

Xuanji seized upon a weakness in Yang Yingyun's defense and launched an attack. Yang Yingyun barely managed to block it, but her weakness was obvious. Zhang Xuanji attacked again, expecting Yang Yingyun to be struck in a pressure point, but Yang Yingyun used an astonishing move that neutralized his attack.

It wasn't that Yang Yingyun's technique was particularly ingenious; to an expert, while skillful, it still had flaws. But to Zhang Xuanji, this move was earth-shattering, because it was a technique he had created in his youth: "Seeing Flowers in the Mist," a technique known only to him and one other person in the world.

Zhang Xuanji froze, his eyes gleaming. He asked in astonishment, "Miss Yang, why do you use this move?"

Yang Yingyun remained silent, only relentlessly attacking with her sword, a completely reckless style that only deepened Zhang Xuanji's confusion. However, Yang Yingyun's furious attacks were extremely fierce. Forced to retaliate, Zhang Xuanji seized an opportunity and struck at Yang Yingyun's chest pressure point. But Yang Yingyun's body moved like a water snake, dodging the pressure point. However, her clothes were torn by her folding fan, and a jade pendant shaped like two fish fell out.

Zhang Xuanji felt as if a large stone had struck his chest, his breathing becoming labored, and his expression agitated. He cried out, "You? Who are you? Why do you have this jade pendant?" Just as

Zhang Xuanji was losing his composure, Yang Yingyun swung her sword in a circular motion, striking east and west, seemingly left and right, attacking with lightning speed. A brilliant light shone forth, carrying the faint force of wind and thunder, aimed directly at Zhang Xuanji. Her sword strike, executed naturally, was a thousand times more ferocious than any carefully choreographed swordsmanship. The subtlety of her technique surpassed that of a mind focused solely on the sword.

Zhang Xuanji felt the sword's aura was chilling; he had never encountered such a powerful attack in his life. He was even convinced that he could not withstand this earth-shattering blow. He thought, "I've been tricked? She knew my weakness and was deceiving me!" But he was, after all, a top-tier master. He reacted swiftly, risking injury to fight back with all his might. In this way, although Yang Yingyun could stab him, the force of his left hand, unleashed with all his anger, would be too much for her to bear.

Just as the two were about to suffer heavy losses, at the most crucial moment, Yang Yingyun suddenly withdrew her sword strike, deflecting the force, and said sadly, "Grandpa, do you intend to kill your granddaughter?"

Zhang Xuanji felt a sudden boom in his head, his fighting spirit completely extinguished. He shouted, "What?" But his left palm was already pressed against Yang Yingyun's chest. He sensed that Yang Yingyun had no internal energy left, and it seemed she was about to die under his palm. Zhang Xuanji hurriedly and forcefully leaned back, thrusting his palm horizontally. However, the palm force had already been released, and by withdrawing it like this, most of the force returned to his body. Although it was his own true energy, it was not easy to neutralize. Zhang Xuanji spat out a mouthful of blood and collapsed to the ground.

A drop of blood trickled from the corner of Yang Yingyun's mouth, but she seized the opportunity to pounce on Zhang Xuanji, striking his pressure points and saying, "You've lost. Although my victory wasn't exactly honorable, strength can't overcome intelligence, so your defeat wasn't entirely ignominious."

Zhang Xuanji, seemingly forgetting the outcome and his injuries, glared at Yang Yingyun and roared, "Who are you? Who are you? Why is this happening? Does this mean my son isn't dead?" He seemed to have gone mad.

Yang Yingyun turned away and remained silent. Li Se quickly stepped in front of her, and Gu Xiangjun also went to help Yang Yingyun down. At the same time, a group of people from the Tianlong Gang came out and rescued Zhang Xuanji.

Li Se said, "We've won one and lost one, a draw. Why don't we all make peace and stay harmonious?"

Bai Xiaotian stepped forward and said loudly, "The sword from Longhu Mountain hasn't been settled yet, how can we just give up? I'll come and experience your swordsmanship." Without further ado, he began his attack.

Bai Xiaotian moved with fluid grace, swiftly circling Li Se. After several circles, he exuded an aura of overwhelming power. The Void-Tearing Blade in his hand flickered and shifted unpredictably, its form shifting like a dragon, its movements boundless and unpredictable. This extremely strange, exquisite, and powerful swordsmanship was something most people had never seen before, leaving them stunned.

Suddenly, Bai Xiaotian roared, his blade flashing into a seven-colored rainbow, his body and blade becoming one, slashing at Li Se.

Li Se also shouted, his body like a blade, suddenly drawn, emitting a dragon's roar and a tiger's howl. In a flash of light, the two separated abruptly. Then, Li Se transformed into a large blade, slashing at Bai Xiaotian with lightning speed. Bai Xiaotian blocked with his own blade, the two blades clashing, sparks flying, and a deafening metallic clang resounded. Both of their strikes were extraordinary, and both were forced back sixteen or seventeen steps.

Li Se, with his imposing presence, wielded his right hand like a giant blade, striking again suddenly. Seeing the overwhelming power and formidable strength of his blade, Bai Xiaotian dared not meet it head-on, instead employing the "Flying Star Chasing the Moon" technique, moving with his blade.

Li Se, however, would not allow Bai Xiaotian to dodge, relentlessly pursuing him with each strike. But Bai Xiaotian moved with lightning speed, as swift as a ghost, moving freely left and right amidst the shroud of blade light.

Li Se's blade light covered the entire arena, leaving no gaps in the defenses, yet Bai Xiaotian seemed to pass right through that curtain of blades. The assembled heroes were all greatly astonished and filled with admiration at his skill.

Li Se spun around, settling into place, the countless flashes of sword light vanishing. He said, "Chief, your martial arts are unparalleled; I greatly admire you. Today's battle concerns the fate of the martial world; otherwise, I would never have dared to challenge you. If Chief wishes to cease hostilities now, I am willing to follow you, only asking that the six major sects be spared."

Bai Xiaotian replied, "Are you the kind of person who would willingly submit to others? At this point, what's the point of such words? It's simply a matter of life and death! There's no need for formalities; let's see

who's stronger!" Bai Xiaotian had already made up his mind and was resolute, so he didn't hesitate, brandishing his sword and gathering his power. Seeing this, Li Se had no choice but to remain silent and focus his own energy. The two faced off for a moment, their auras equally firm and powerful, seemingly invincible.

Suddenly, hundreds of brilliant lights burst forth from Bai Xiaotian's sword, dazzling and dazzling, hurtling towards Li Se, faintly accompanied by the sound of wind and thunder.

Li Se's tiger-like eyes snapped open, and he roared, "What a fine blade!" With that, he leaped into the air, transforming into a large blade. The blade flashed like lightning, dazzlingly bright, and swooped down. The two blades unleashed a deafening roar.

The earth cracked, mountains crumbled, dust billowed, and when the dust settled, Bai Xiaotian staggered back five steps before regaining his footing. Li Se fared no better, half his body sinking into the ground.

Although Bai Xiaotian hadn't gained the upper hand, his imposing aura only grew stronger, surpassing all others in the world, like a god descended to earth, utterly majestic.

He roared, throwing his flying blade again. Li Se's right hand also transformed into a blade, and the two blades clashed in mid-air with a resounding clang, sparks flying.

Li Se gained a slight advantage, and seizing the opportunity, he suddenly unleashed the "Mountain Moving, Sea Filling" technique, secretly channeling his inner strength to suppress Bai Xiaotian's blade. Bai Xiaotian felt the weight of his opponent's blade pressing down on his own, as if a small mountain were pressing down on it. This enraged him, and in his fury, it seemed to transform into immense strength. He suddenly drew his blade and slashed wildly, turning the tide of the battle.

Li Se and Bai Xiaotian were evenly matched, each gaining the upper hand at different times. In the blink of an eye, they were writhing and tumbling, like angry dragons and venomous pythons battling fiercely, sand and stones flying from the mountaintop – a truly brutal battle.

Li Se and Bai Xiaotian were locked in a fierce struggle, leaving both sides dumbfounded, forgetting to cheer or encourage each other. Just then, the sound of a wooden fish drum came from the cliff, followed by a group of monks, over a hundred in total, ascending the cliff face. Both sides were stunned.

The monks chanted Amitabha Buddha as they climbed the mountain. Li Se and Bai Xiaotian, who were engaged in fierce fighting, seemed to hear the morning bell and evening drum, and slowly stopped, each jumping to one side panting. Clearly, both of them had exerted all their strength and were exhausted.

The monks stopped chanting their Buddhist prayers at the opportune moment. Li Se said, "Chief Bai, isn't it fate that we two fought to a draw? Why don't we both stop fighting, go home and sleep, and ensure no one is injured? Wouldn't that be a happy ending for everyone? If there are any disputes or disagreements between the two factions, we can negotiate and resolve them together, wouldn't that be better?"

Before

Bai Xiaotian could answer, Bai Tingyu suddenly burst into laughter and walked out, saying, "Chief Li, you say we fought to a draw, but don't forget, you're still at a disadvantage! Your three wives are in our hands. Of course, if you don't care about them, it doesn't matter. Anyway, a man like you has plenty of beautiful girls; you don't care about one or two more."

Li Se saw Bai Tingyu having Wang Bao'er, Xue Yaoguang, and Leng Ruxue brought out. The three women were listless, their eyelids unmoving, their heads drooping blankly, their faces extremely haggard.

Although Li Se knew that the three women had been acupunctured, seeing them like this still broke his heart. He cried out, "What... what happened to them?" "Why...why are you so heartless?" Li Se's eyes blazed with fury as he glared at Bai Tingyu.

Bai Tingyu, however, remained unfazed, lazily replying, "They're not dead yet, what's your rush? But if you don't save them, they might die later!"

Li Se was enraged when he heard Du Kaixian's voice from the crowd behind him, "Alliance Leader, this bastard dared to steal your woman, he's really humiliated you! You're always the one stealing other people's women, when did it become your turn? For you, Boss, we'll fight to the death to avenge you!"

Someone shouted, "Avenge the Alliance Leader! Avenge the Alliance Leader!" The chant was loud and clear.

Bai Tingyu looked at Li Se with utter contempt.

Li Se waved his hand, signaling the crowd to stop shouting, and said, "You've seen it too, Master Buqing has led the Shaolin Arhat Hall experts to reinforce us. Even if you can defeat us, you won't come out unscathed. It'll be a lose-lose situation, why bother? Let's be friends." Bai Tingyu said, "

Who wins and who loses, we'll see! Today, I will wipe out all you scum."

Li Se looked at the three women with pity, knowing that if a battle broke out, their lives would be in danger, and said hatefully, "What do you want from me to let them go?"

Bai Tingyu sneered, "Unless you kneel down and beg me!"

Li Se suddenly knelt down and kowtowed, pleading, "Please, Young Master Bai, have mercy and spare their lives." Li Se kowtowed nine times with a loud "thump, thump," a completely unexpected turn of events that stunned everyone. After a long while, a surprised "hiss" escaped their lips.

Bai Tingyu was taken aback. He had only made a casual joke to undermine Li Se's confidence and make them more cautious, preventing them from going all out in the battle. He never expected Li Se to do this.

Everyone was stunned for a moment. After a while, someone cried out in a sobbing voice, "To save our lives, the Alliance Leader refuses to start a war easily. He would rather suffer himself than let us risk our lives for his woman. What a noble sentiment! With the Alliance Leader thinking of us like this, how can we still care about our lives?"

Situ Ming shouted fiercely, "We swear to serve the Alliance Leader to the death!" Seeing Li Se being humiliated, everyone from the six factions was filled with righteous indignation and wanted to fight. They also shouted desperately, "We swear to serve the Alliance Leader to the death!" "We swear to serve the Alliance Leader to the death!" "Kill all the Tianlong Gang thieves..."

Bai Xiaotian saw that the experts from the six factions all had fire in their eyes and were filled with great anger. He knew that if a war broke out, they would be able to unleash unprecedented energy and their martial arts potential would be stimulated. He felt a chill in his heart. Moreover, the participation of Shaolin monks in the war was an immeasurable matter. Shaolin was full of hidden talents and was not someone to be trifled with.

Bai Xiaotian acted decisively, ordering his subordinates, "Release them."

The three women, their pressure points released, rushed towards Li Se, and the group huddled together. At this moment, cheers erupted from all six sects.

Bai Xiaotian said to Li Se, "Alliance Leader Li, your martial arts are superb, and your wisdom is extraordinary. With you leading the six major sects, our Tianlong Gang is doomed. I wish to fulfill our previous alliance with you. What are your thoughts, Alliance Leader?"

Li Se happily replied, "That would be wonderful!"

Bai Xiaotian said, "Very well. I hope you will behave yourself and not do anything to harm the people. Farewell, until we meet again." He then pulled the stunned Bai Tingyu away.

Li Se cheerfully said, "Farewell, Alliance Leader Bai." In an instant, the Tianlong Gang members vanished without a trace.

After the Tianlong Gang members left, everyone from the six major sects rejoiced.

Unaware of the situation, Gu Xuanzhong approached Li Se, who was entwined with red and green, and said, "Alliance Leader, your wisdom is boundless, your courage and intelligence far surpass those of the ancients. Even when Han Xin suffered the humiliation of crawling between

someone's legs, he didn't do it in front of so many people. Yet, for the greater good, Alliance Leader, you were willing to sacrifice your personal reputation. Only today do I realize that Alliance Leader is the greatest hero of all time!" Gu Xuanzhong also said, "Indeed, Han Xin suffered the humiliation before he rose to prominence. How could he compare to Alliance Leader's current noble status? Yet, Alliance Leader is still unafraid of damaging his reputation. Such a towering hero, you are..." "The first one."

Situ Ming said excitedly, "Yes! Yes! The Alliance Leader's act of humiliating himself has made us all very angry and has ignited our fighting spirit. If the Tianlong Gang doesn't know the times and insists on fighting us, they will definitely suffer a great loss. Tsk, the Alliance Leader is really calculating to the bone. Such wisdom is even better than Zhuge Liang!"

Li Se laughed, "You guys are all good at flattering, but you can't handle anything serious." Suddenly, Li Se noticed that Gu Xiangjun and the princess looked anxious and were waving and winking at him. He hurriedly went to their side.

Gu Xiangjun said, "Quickly take a look at Sister Yang."

Princess Zhu Wushuang also said, "I'm afraid it's difficult to save her."

Seeing Chu Liuguang holding Yang Yingyun and shaking her head at him, showing her helplessness, Li Se's heart tightened. Even Chu Liuguang and Zhu Wushuang couldn't do anything, so the injury must be serious.

He whispered in Yang Yingyun's ear, "Sister Yang, wake up. We've driven them away. Are you alright?" At this time, everyone also gathered around.

Li Se held Yang Yingyun's wrist, feeling her weak internal energy and a chill running through her fingers, indicating a severe injury. Unfortunately, there was no way to treat her. Although their connection was deep, their internal energy cultivation methods were completely different, making mutual assistance difficult.

At this moment, Yang Yingyun slowly opened her eyes, her gaze unfocused, and whispered to Li Se, "I want to go home. Take me home."

Li Se said, "But..."

Chu Liuguang, standing beside her, said, "Sister Yang is right. As long as you return to Hidden Lake, are you afraid you can't be healed? Sister's cultivation is profound; although the journey is long, she can persevere."

Li Se trusted Chu Liuguang completely and quickly said, "Alright, I'll be on my way now. Is there anything else you need?"

Chu Liuguang hesitated for a moment, then shook his head and said, "Be careful on your journey. I don't think that old man surnamed Zhang will let Sister Yang leave so easily."

Li Se nodded, said nothing more, picked up Yang Yingyun, and left.

Seeing Li Se leave so readily and with such heroic spirit, the women knew he would do the same if any of them were injured. Therefore, instead of jealousy, a surge of love welled up in their hearts.

Li Se carried Yang Yingyun like a galloping horse, yet his upper body remained steady without the slightest tremor. Yang Yingyun was seriously injured and couldn't withstand the jolting, but Li Se was more stable than any carriage, and they unknowingly raced down Mount Hua.

Li Se kept his eyes fixed ahead, running swiftly. He listened to Yang Yingyun's breathing, so he didn't need to constantly check her injuries. Suddenly, he heard Yang Yingyun murmur, "I never thought I'd be held like this, it feels like I'm back in my childhood. How long has it been since I faced everything alone, with no one to rely on, no one to depend on? Ah, if only it could last forever!"

Though her voice was soft, Li Se heard it clearly. His heart surged with emotion, and he didn't know how to answer, only managing a soft "Mmm." Yang Yingyun didn't speak again, but nestled closer to Li Se, seemingly falling into a deep sleep.

Hearing Yang Yingyun's steady breathing, though lacking the long, drawn-out breath of a martial artist, Li Se was relieved that her injuries hadn't worsened and continued on his way. Around midnight, Li Se found a cave, put Yang Yingyun down, placed the dry food and water he'd bought along the way beside her, and then took a nap at the cave entrance. He woke up at dawn and went to wash his face by a nearby stream.

Strangely enough, although the Tianlong Gang hadn't gained any advantage and had suffered a major defeat, and Yang Yingyun's condition was still unknown and worrying, Li Se felt a sense of peace and joy, like a long-lost prodigal son returning home to his wife and children—a particularly warm and sweet feeling. Li Se couldn't help but feel a strange longing, gazing at his reflection in the water, lost in thought.

After a while, Yang Yingyun's beautiful face appeared before Li Se's eyes. He rubbed his eyes, then focused on the reflection in the water again; it hadn't changed into anyone else—it was still Yang Yingyun.

He slowly looked up and saw her face, bent over and gazing down at him. Her beauty was ethereal and elegant, so striking that one dared not look directly at her. Yang Yingyun smiled faintly, nodded to him, and sat down beside him. Li Se felt extremely awkward, as if someone had seen through his thoughts, but he could only force a smile and nod in return.

They stared at each other in silence for a moment, then Yang Yingyun said softly, "Thank you for escorting me. Yesterday, the Alliance Leader was incredibly brave and admirable."

Li Se was struck by Yang Yingyun's cold and overly polite manner, a stark contrast to her previous demeanor. Yesterday, on the road, Yang Yingyun had been like a clinging little bird, but now her attitude had changed drastically. Remembering how he had knelt for the sake of several girls, his heart sank. If others looked down on him, he would only secretly laugh at their shallowness, deeming them unworthy of his attention. But Yang Yingyun's attitude struck him like a heavy blow, causing him great pain. He thought to himself, "Was I really wrong? I disappointed her so much. She must look down on me because of this." He murmured, "I'm sorry, alas! I..." But what could he say?

Seeing his embarrassed face flushed red, and his helpless expression, Yang Yingyun felt a pang of pity. Having lost all her power, she felt completely dependent on Li Se, and had unconsciously developed a dependence on him, which was greatly detrimental to her cultivation. Now that she was fully aware of this, she unconsciously felt a sense of resistance. Since they were alone together, Yang Yingyun didn't want to be too intimate with Li Se, but seeing his helpless expression, she felt a deep sense of pity.

Yang Yingyun smiled slightly and said, "Alright, look at you. I just wanted to flatter you, but you took it to heart and started thinking about something else entirely. You made the Tianlong Gang retreat without firing a shot; that's a great achievement. Such a brilliant method, truly subduing the enemy without fighting, I admire you greatly! Is it too much to call you Alliance Leader?"

Li Se was extremely grateful; his displeasure vanished like a cloud in the sky. He felt that Yang Yingyun was truly magnanimous and considerate, and felt embarrassed by the misunderstanding earlier. She smiled sheepishly, slowly stood up, and suddenly said, "I'm hungry. Have you eaten any rations, sister?"

Yang Yingyun shook her head. The two went back to the cave to eat. Just as they picked up their rations, Yang Yingyun suddenly changed color and said, "Listen carefully?"

Li Se quickly focused his mind, his brows furrowing slightly. Then he said, "Let's hurry. Zhang Xuanji is still chasing us." He carried Yang Yingyun on his back and started walking. He had been very curious about the connection between Yang Yingyun and Zhang Xuanji, but since Yang Yingyun didn't say, he didn't dare to ask.

Yang Yingyun, clinging to Li Se's back, said, "Just keep going. There's no need to hide. There's a boat waiting for us on the Yangtze River. Once we get on the boat, we won't be afraid of him catching up." Li Se's

heart stirred. He thought, "Sister's actions are so far-sighted. No wonder Sister Chu hesitated to speak. It turns out she knew that sister had already made arrangements." He whispered, "Yes." Then he used his movement technique and ran off, not even bothering to take the food.

After traveling for half a day, it was already afternoon. Li Se was about a few miles from the Yangtze River, and the sound of the flowing water could be faintly heard.

Yang Yingyun pointed ahead and said, "Boats are ready over there."

Li Se followed her instructions, and about a mile away, a river stretched out before them, with a large two-masted ship moored on the bank. The two boarded the ship from the gangplank, and before they could even ask it to set sail, the ship began to move.

When the ship reached the middle of the river, they saw Zhang Xuanji had also arrived at the riverbank, looking helpless and heartbroken. Li Se was somewhat puzzled, and after a while, he followed Yang Yingyun into the spacious cabin.

Li Se helped Yang Yingyun lie down on the soft mattress, and felt that the large ship was moving swiftly and silently, very smoothly, which showed how skillfully it was built. At this moment, a maidservant came in with a smile, carrying a food box and bringing out several dishes, including a large bowl of hot soup.

Li Se had been starving for half a day, and after carrying Yang Yingyun on his back for such a long distance, he was ravenous. Nevertheless, he stood up, cupped his hands, and thanked her repeatedly. The maid helped Yang Yingyun sit up to eat. The food smelled delicious, and Li Se, disregarding formalities, began to eat heartily.

Yang Yingyun ate a little, seemingly watching him eat with great interest. Li Se's attention was completely focused on the food, and he paid no attention to her. He slurped down his food, leaving not a drop of soup. Only after finishing did he glance at her and see Yang Yingyun looking at him with great interest.

Li Se suddenly remembered that Gu Xiangjun had looked at him like that before, and his heart filled with sweetness. He then thought of Yang Yingyun's kindness and her pursuit of immortality, and cursed himself for being foolish.

Li Se shook his head and smiled, saying, "Sister must think I'm ridiculous, like a starving ghost. And that I'm vulgar and unrefined."

Yang Yingyun shook her head and said, "Not at all ridiculous, on the contrary, it highlights your hardships along the way. Your fierce battle with Bai Xiaotian, and then carrying me for thousands of miles, must have been quite a ordeal for you. Thank you so much!"

Hearing such gentle and considerate words, Li Se didn't know what to say. Seeing Yang Yingyun gazing at him affectionately, seemingly with tenderness in her eyes, although he felt he was being paranoid, he jokingly said to dispel the gentle atmosphere, "Sister isn't ridiculous at all..." "It's so heavy, it's like I'm not carrying anything at all. If it were a big fat guy, he'd crush me!"

Yang Yingyun smiled wryly and said, "Look at what you're saying, are you praising me or insulting me? You're so impressive now! You've driven off the Tianlong Gang, and your name is known throughout the world. You even saved me, so I'll owe you a huge favor. You must be overjoyed, right?"

Li Se said, "If it weren't for Sister's planning, how could I have driven off the Tianlong Gang? I was just a pawn in Sister's game! Sister is injured, you should rest early and not think about such troubling things!" After saying that, she had the maid help Yang Yingyun to the bed, and then the maid bowed and left.

Li Se saw that Yang Yingyun was still lying on the bed with her eyes open and thought, "Sister must be worried about her injury. She has put so much effort into things in the martial world, and this injury is not light. She has always been strong, and she must be very sad now."

Yang Yingyun, lying on the bed, had a turbulent mind, and the more she thought about it, the more confused she became, unable to make sense of anything. This was the first time she had experienced such a state since cultivating to the point of perfect tranquility. Previously, any complex or strange matter would quickly become clear in her mind.

She couldn't help but frown, letting out a soft sigh, thinking, "Perhaps it's because I've lost my martial arts skills and feel like I've lost my support, that I'm so uneasy?" Glancing sideways, she saw Li Se staring blankly at the table, his handsome face quite endearing, and a sudden thought

struck her. Yang Yingyun was exceptionally intelligent, and in a moment she understood, "So my internal injuries are severe, I've lost my former cultivation, and become an ordinary girl, hence my involuntary attraction to men! But why him? Yes! I'm quite useless now; even if I met another man now, I would still be moved, not just because of him? But my master has mentioned him to me since I was little; I've known him since childhood! He's different from others."

Yang Yingyun's thoughts raced, unable to control herself. She had encountered a major obstacle and hurdle in her study of superior swordsmanship. How would she face it? Gradually, Yang Yingyun grew extremely tired and finally fell asleep.

The Yangtze River, vast and boundless, possesses an awe-inspiring grandeur, and its scenic beauty along its course is renowned, drawing crowds eager to witness it firsthand. The best way to cruise the Yangtze is undoubtedly by boat, drifting downstream. The scenery on both banks is picturesque, inviting one to sit, lie down, or stand on the deck, enjoying the expansive river breeze and unhindered waves

. Li Se, lost in thought in his room, waited until Yang Yingyun fell asleep, her breathing even and steady, before realizing it was inappropriate for a lone man and woman to be alone. He then stepped out of the cabin. The river stretched out wide, offering unobstructed views. A few wisps of river breeze ruffled his clothes, invigorating him.

Li Se admired the scenery, reveling in it for a while, before slowly sitting down to practice his internal energy cultivation.

He didn't know how much time had passed when Yang Yingyun slowly awoke. She opened the cabin window and looked out, seeing a white ribbon stretching to the horizon, the shimmering water and sails creating a scene of poetic beauty, utterly tranquil and serene. Such a view could truly cleanse one's mind and broaden one's spirit. Yang Yingyun seemed to have regained her usual composure, gazing at the pleasant scenery and temporarily casting aside her worries.

As she leaned against the window, idly gazing out, someone gently knocked on the cabin door. The maid entered and said, "Sister, someone is chasing us. They've spotted a suspicious-looking fast boat, patrolling the area, seemingly trying to intercept us. We've tried everything to avoid them, but the situation is critical, so we've come to report this to you for your decision."

Yang Yingyun pondered for a moment, thinking, "Zhang Xuanji arrived so quickly!" She asked, "Where is Young Master Li?"

The maid replied, "He was practicing his internal energy and is now taking a walk on the boat."

Yang Yingyun thoughtfully said, "Could you evade the enemy's pursuit until nightfall? It would be easier to escape in the darkness!"

The maid said, "I'm afraid not. That person looks very powerful; I'm worried we might fail."

Yang Yingyun smiled slightly, and the maid immediately felt an unusual calm in her heart, her tension subsiding. Yang Yingyun said, "Alright then! I'll handle this."

She quietly left the room and went to the deck. She saw Li Se patrolling the deck, a small boat closely following ten feet away. Li Se followed wherever the boat went, preventing Zhang Xuanji from jumping onto the large ship.

Seeing Yang Yingyun, Li Se said, "Sister, please go and rest! I can handle things here."

Yang Yingyun nodded and called out to the small boat, "Zhang Zuo Shi, what is your intention in pursuing me so relentlessly? Is it because you are unwilling to accept defeat by a mere woman and want revenge?"

On the small boat, Zhang Xuanji saw a young woman with flowing black hair appear on the large ship. She was elegant and ethereal, with exquisite features. It was Yang Yingyun, whom he had longed to see. He had thought of her constantly these past few days, but seeing her suddenly made him somewhat flustered. After a moment's hesitation, he said sharply, "Miss, do you know why I've been tracking you for so long? I only want to ask you one question. After you answer

, I will let you leave. Besides, your injuries are severe, and I, though unworthy, may be able to save you." Yang Yingyun sighed softly and said, "If only you had known this would happen. I don't want to see you. Please leave!" With that, she went into the cabin.

Zhang Xuanji looked sorrowful, and Li Se felt a pang of pity. He said softly, "Senior, please go back first! Miss Yang is troubled. Ask her what you need to ask after she recovers!"

Zhang Xuanji sighed, "If I don't ask her these questions, I can't live a moment longer. I might have to resort to force."

Li Se said, "Alright! Then let's see what Senior can do." With that, he waved his hand, and the sailors on the boat, all invigorated, rowed with all their might. Li Se also suddenly picked up an oar and rowed with all his might, making the boat incredibly fast. Caught off

guard, Zhang Xuanji's small boat was quickly left far behind. Zhang Xuanji shouted loudly, urging his boat to increase its speed. His voice was loud and powerful, imposing and awe-inspiring. The small boat surged forward, quickly chasing after the large ship.

After a while, the two boats maintained a certain distance. Suddenly, a strong wind blew up, and the large ship's speed increased dramatically, darting forward rapidly. At first, nothing seemed amiss, but gradually the small boat drifted further and further away from the large ship. If the situation continued, Zhang Xuanji would be left behind.

The setting sun was now obscured by the shadows of the mountains on the horizon, the sky ablaze with vibrant colors. Several fishing boats passed by on the river, but the people on both boats had no time to appreciate the scenery; the situation had reached its most critical moment.

Li Se channeled his inner energy and shouted, "Darkness will soon follow, and then you will be helpless, senior. Why not call it a day and leave some room for future encounters? Perhaps Miss Yang will answer your question after she recovers."

Zhang Xuanji laughed wildly, his voice emanating from his dantian, replying, "Even if it's dark, can that stump me? I have no choice; it seems I must offend you today."

As soon as he finished speaking, a thick fog suddenly rose over the river, obscuring everything. The large ship, at such a severe disadvantage, was completely unable to see. Within a radius of several dozen feet, thick white fog filled the air, obscuring everything and making it nearly impossible to see one's hand in front of one's face. The sailors on the ship were unsure of the situation, and the ship's speed immediately slowed down.

At this moment, Li Se sensed a figure rushing towards the ship. Li Se's hand, shaped like a knife, unleashed a fierce strike with the power to split the sky and cleave the earth. The person dared not meet the attack head-on and vanished into the darkness in a flash.

Li Se said, "Don't be afraid, everyone. Row with confidence. I'll direct the boat, and we definitely won't crash into the rocks."

Suddenly, thunder roared, and a torrential downpour began. Zhang Xuanji said, "Miss Yang, even if I can't board the boat, can't we just let it be destroyed? On this wide expanse of water, even if Li Se is invincible, once he falls into the water, won't he be helpless? I don't want to do this. If you force me, I have no choice."

Yang Yingyun nodded and said, "It's only natural that you won't give up. How could I blame you? But I must clarify, do you believe what I've said?"

Zhang Xuanji happily replied, "I believe every word you say."

Yang Yingyun said, "Very well. Let me tell you, I'm not your granddaughter, but you do have one. You're just in this mountain! Ah! If you want to know the truth, why not go to Tianshan? Do you really want to never go there again?"

A sigh escaped her lips, and then silence fell. The weather improved after a while. Although it was already dark, the water was still clearly visible nearby, and Zhang Xuanji had long since disappeared.

In the darkness, the large ship sped forward, and only the soft sound of its bow breaking the water broke the silence.

Chapter Four: Passing the Test of Love

Four days later, just as dawn broke, the large ship anchored at the shore. Li Se and Yang Yingyun went ashore together. Stepping onto solid ground, they immediately felt a great difference, a sense of comfort.

Yang Yingyun said, "We're almost home. You've come a thousand miles to see me off and helped me fend off a powerful enemy. How can I ever repay you?"

Li Se said, "Sister, your kindness to me is immense. I haven't even had a chance to say how I'll repay you!" Feigning anger, she said, "If you bring up any more of these polite words about kindness, then we'll part ways here and never see each other again!"

Yang Yingyun smiled and said, "It was my fault." But in her heart, she thought, "Even if I don't say anything, we'll probably have to part forever!"

She quietly looked at Li Se, and in her eyes, her impression of Li Se had changed drastically. In her past impression, although he possessed great talent, he was still an immature child. But now, as the leader of the six major sects, with martial arts reaching a pinnacle, he was the new "Sword Lord," exuding an aura of heroic spirit and awe-inspiring majesty.

This kind of demeanor, emanating from a young and handsome man, possessed a strange magic that stirred her heart, a feeling beyond words. Moreover, she was the successor of the Sword Queen, and had a profound connection with the Sword Lord. Previously, Li Se was weak and feeble, but now he matched her in martial arts prowess, and now that she was frail, he naturally exerted a powerful attraction on her.

Seeing Yang Yingyun smiling at him, Li Se had no idea what she was thinking. He asked, "Sister, are you happy because you're going home soon?"

Yang Yingyun replied, "Not entirely. I've been wandering the martial world for almost four years. I entered this world because of the subtle mysteries of superior swordsmanship and the rarity of the 'Pearl of Immortality,' which led me to wander the mortal realm. Although I'm somewhat happy to be back, I also feel ashamed because my cultivation hasn't made any significant breakthroughs."

Li Se said, "I see. The affairs of the world are chaotic enough to disturb one's mind and spirit. The supreme swordsmanship, transcending the mundane, is no easy feat. Perhaps after you return, you can cultivate in seclusion and discover..." "You've made great progress!"

Yang Yingyun said, "Although Hidden Lake is famous throughout the martial world, our sect has always been in seclusion, with only a very few people emerging into the world. This has continued for generations, yet even then, very few have managed to glimpse the Great Dao. This shows how difficult this is. My master and your master have a deep connection, and even with her profound cultivation, she cannot advance further. My aptitude is far inferior to my master's, so it seems I won't be able to make any progress! I truly have failed my master's teachings."

Li Se said, "Sister, you're overthinking it. It's too early to draw conclusions now! I've experienced so much in the mortal world and feel

I've gained a lot, but I haven't had time to cultivate. I earnestly hope that one day I can rid myself of all the love and hate of this world." "Enmity and grudges, wholeheartedly seeking the supreme way of the sword, and then advancing towards the Heavenly Dao. The hardships of the martial world, and some lingering, unforgettable emotions, are all obstacles on the way to the summit, indispensable, but not to be lingered upon. Now, sister can return to her sect to cultivate, without any ties in the mortal world, having the opportunity for quiet cultivation and seclusion, how fortunate she is!"

Yang Yingyun said, "Although I am leaving the martial world, I am also leaving you. Don't you miss me?"

Li Se smiled and said, "Although I am a little reluctant, sister is doing this for eternal joy and happiness. I wish sister well, and I am happy for her! To be honest, I feel in my heart..." " Sister, you've always been with me, no matter where you are in the world. True friendship lies in understanding each other's hearts! In that case, wouldn't we be free from worldly entanglements and have far fewer worries?"

Yang Yingyun exclaimed in surprise, "Your words are truly full of profound meaning; I can't quite grasp them yet."

Li Se said, "I'm just rambling; please don't take offense, sister."

Yang Yingyun said, "But I've thought of something: to cultivate the immortal path, one must sever all worldly ties, be free of thoughts and worries, and even the voices and smiles of any relatives and friends will ultimately not remain in one's heart. At that time, I will forget you. Have you thought of that?"

Li Se was stunned, suddenly feeling somewhat agitated and unable to control herself.

Li Se stared blankly at Yang Yingyun, his mind in turmoil. Suddenly, Yang Yingyun saw boundless tenderness emanating from his fierce eyes, flowing and swirling across her face.

Yang Yingyun was also startled, her heart in turmoil. Many traces she had tried to erase from her heart resurfaced in her mind. She knew that the tenderness in Li Se's eyes wasn't purely for her; rather, it was because he had suddenly realized that if he pursued the path of immortality, he would eventually have to forget everything in this world. He was cherishing the memories of his life with Gu Xiangjun and the others, each and every one of which was difficult for him to let go of, thus transforming into boundless tenderness.

Yang Yingyun's usually calm nature suddenly surged and became agitated, so she hurriedly tried to suppress it.

But then she heard Li Se say, "Yes! Other people and things aside, take sister for example. If in the end you have to forget me, or I forget you, how cruel would that be!"

Yang Yingyun was even more confused and infatuated, her self-imposed defenses crumbling considerably.

Li Se sighed softly and said, "Sister, you must be angry with my impudent words, but that's truly what I think. If you're angry, please scold me; I would never dare to hold a grudge."

Yang Yingyun took a deep breath, her face darkening, and said coldly, "Li Se, listen to me. Although you meant no harm in your words, they are enough to hinder our cultivation! If we cannot control ourselves and fall in love with each other, I think we will never be able to glimpse the supreme Dao of Sword and Saber, and will even lose the opportunity to pursue the Dao of Immortality. You will disappoint your master's expectations, and I will betray my sect. We should remind each other and be wary of each other!"

Although Yang Yingyun's words were stern, she had already revealed the possibility of falling in love with Li Se. However, the meaning behind her words was extremely serious, and the matter was of great importance. It was not just about her personal gains and losses, but also involved the expectations of her sect.

Li Se stared in disbelief, then sighed, "Alas, I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry, sister. Actually, my feelings for you are those of a family member. From the first moment I saw you, I considered you my only family. That's why I spoke my heart so freely, without considering the consequences. Like you, I've always pursued the path of immortality. How could I possibly hinder your cultivation? I hope you can escape this sea of suffering soon, like my master. If I'm still wandering the mortal realm then, I will sincerely wish you well."

Upon hearing these words, Yang Yingyun suddenly felt a pang of sorrow, her heart breaking. She knew that her only chance in this life to love and be loved had vanished without a trace, like a fleeting dream, like birdsong, like fish droppings—gone without a trace. Even if she were to glimpse the Great Dao and retain her beauty forever, she would never again experience love.

She sighed deeply, gazing up at the dark night sky, a sky as black as her future. Although there were faint glimmers of starlight and moonlight, just as her life had experienced some ups and downs after attaining enlightenment, stirring up moments of joy and comfort, how could they compare to the bright daylight, with its clear blue sky and blazing sun?

Love between a man and a woman is like the sun, radiating dazzling brilliance and boundless heat, but Yang Yingyun has forever lost all of this; her life is but a long, dark night. Why, then, does she refuse to give up her efforts, her sect's expectations, and the dreams she has cherished since childhood? Can these dreams compare to love, as radiant as the sun?

Her thoughts surged like giant waves, shadows of people and events flitting through her mind. Her thoughts flowed ceaselessly, encompassing the past and the future, all of which she perceived with a mind as clear and ethereal as a sword's heart.

Li Se remained silent. Although he also felt a sense of loss, it didn't reach the point of despair. He gazed at this graceful and elegant beauty. He felt she was as ethereal and enchanting as a fairy in the clouds, making it impossible for him to harbor any desire to possess her.

Both remained silent for a long time. Finally, Yang Yingyun reached out her hand and said, "Let's go!"

Li Se carried Yang Yingyun on his back and followed her directions. Although they were physically close, they felt as if a mountain separated them, an immense distance.

As dusk fell, they settled down in a mountain cave. Yang Yingyun murmured blankly, "Tomorrow I can return to my sect. I wonder if this is a blessing or a curse?"

Only today did Li Se understand Yang Yingyun's thoughts. He knew she still harbored doubts about becoming an immortal, or rather, she still had attachments to the mortal world—a major taboo in cultivation.

Li Se advised, "Sister, I envy you. After experiencing the world's affairs, you can return to the mountains to cultivate in seclusion. Becoming an immortal is the happiest thing. You still have doubts now, but once you experience those extraordinary joys, you'll know the benefits. I can't escape worldly affairs yet and can only mingle in them. Perhaps my cultivation is insufficient, and Heaven is still testing me. But it's different for you, sister. If you can advance further, a bright future awaits you. Why not give it your all?"

Yang Yingyun smiled and said, "Yes! Thank you for reminding me." But in her heart, she thought, "He's advising me like this. So he truly has no love for me! What a tragic truth!"

She silently recalled everything from the past: what she did to bring Leng Ruxue together; how she disciplined the princess to teach her what love was, hoping she would love Li Se more… All of this was for Li Se's happiness, for more women to love him. But why did she do this? It turns out I still couldn't let go of him, so I found more women for him to force myself to forget him!

Yang Yingyun finally understood something and thought to herself, "So I'm just like Gu Xiangjun! She made him marry all the beautiful women to prevent him from becoming an immortal. As for me? I'm trying to forget him, but it's all because I love him!"

Yang Yingyun gave Li Se a sad look. Li Se saw the deep meaning in Yang Yingyun's eyes and was confused. He didn't dare to speak rashly and could only stare blankly.

Yang Yingyun suddenly thought, "Although Li Se is a good man, there aren't many who can match his talent and looks, but there are always a few. Why do I like him so much? Yes! The Sword Master and the Sword Queen are destined to be entangled. I knew about him when I was practicing swordsmanship since I was a child. It turns out this is God's arrangement. Everyone has lovers, not because of good or bad, because there are many people who are much better than your lover. But why do you only like him? It's because of fate. It's all God's arrangement!"

The more Yang Yingyun thought, the more confused she became, her face flushed. Li Se saw this and finally couldn't help but ask with concern, "Sister, what's wrong? Are you badly injured?"

Yang Yingyun turned her face away and said, "No, I'm tired. Let's rest!" She lay down fully clothed.

Li Se didn't dare to ask any more questions and went to a place a little further away from her to meditate and practice his skills.

After an unknown amount of time, Li Se suddenly felt something was wrong and quickly opened his eyes. Sure enough, Yang Yingyun had vanished without a trace.

Li Se was utterly shocked. If an enemy had abducted her so stealthily, how powerful must that enemy be? If she left on her own, why?

Li Se didn't think about these things for the moment. He tried to search with his internal energy, but he felt nothing. Because of their shared martial arts, he and Yang Yingyun could sense each other even when they were thousands of miles apart, but now Yang Yingyun seemed to have vanished without a trace.

Li Se was terrified. In a panic, he ran around frantically, shouting and yelling, but there was no sign of Yang Yingyun.

Li Se collapsed to the ground, tears streaming down his face. He looked up at the vast, mysterious sky, feeling no sense that Yang Yingyun was still alive. It was as if they were separated by death. Li Se let out a loud roar to the heavens.

Unable to sleep, Yang Yingyun grew increasingly uneasy. She quietly slipped out of her room, and a gentle breeze calmed her. She thought, "Why don't I take a spiritual journey and let him know what it feels like to be separated from me by the mortal realm? Let's see if he's still heartless towards me."

Yang Yingyun found a dilapidated temple, severed her physical presence, and her spirit left her body. She saw everything Li Se thought she had vanished from the world. Yang Yingyun felt a surge of relief, thinking, "He still cares about me, but unfortunately, he has too many concerns." Suddenly,

Yang Yingyun sensed something was amiss and quickly returned to the temple, where she saw a beggar standing beside her body.

The beggar saw a beautiful woman sleeping in the temple. He called out several times but received no response. She had cherry-red lips, her skin was fair and smooth, almost translucent, and her jet-black hair exuded elegance. She wore a dark silk dress with floral patterns, which was extremely alluring. Her wrists, visible from her sleeves, were delicate and fair. The beggar was mesmerized.

He had never seen such a beauty before; her beauty and poise were so striking that he dared not approach. He stood guard for a long time, but seeing no movement, his lust eventually overcame his reason. He approached, first gently touching her, and finally began to undress. Just as her robe was half-open, Yang Yingyun returned to her body, stood up, and pushed him away, screaming in alarm.

The beggar was so frightened that he lay on the ground, unable to move for a long time, only saying, "Miss, spare me! I was dizzy for a moment, I didn't do anything!"

Yang Yingyun said, "Why don't you leave now?" The beggar scrambled away.

At that moment, Li Se arrived with a whoosh, shouting, "Sister, are you alright?" He then attacked the beggar.

Yang Yingyun quickly cried out, "Let him go! He didn't do anything!"

Li Se gracefully arrived beside Yang Yingyun and helped her close her clothes.

Yang Yingyun threw herself into Li Se's arms, saying, "I'm scared! Hold me tight!"

Li Se then snapped out of his shock, feeling a unique charm in Yang Yingyun's arms—something he had never seen before.

Yet, Li Se couldn't harbor any impure thoughts; he simply held Yang Yingyun tightly, as if afraid of losing her, afraid that if he let go, she would vanish like air.

Yang Yingyun softly murmured, "If you let me return to my sect, we will never see each other again, do you understand?"

Li Se was stunned. Did Yang Yingyun's affection need any further explanation? He remained silent for a long time. He knew she was right. If she returned to her sect, even if they weren't permanently separated by heaven and earth, being so close would feel like being worlds apart.

Since they both aspired to the path of immortality, they had to sever all worldly ties, especially between the two of them. Romantic feelings couldn't be allowed to grow, effectively separating them by the boundary of yin and yang, a barrier between heaven and earth. Li Se had always been deeply infatuated with Yang Yingyun. The attraction between opposite sexes was an undeniable principle, especially since they were of similar age and appearance. Li Se's feelings for her were perfectly natural. Although he had many wives and concubines, all of whom were superior, they were still far inferior to Yang Yingyun.

And his feelings for her would not diminish because of them.

In that instant, he thought of many things. If he were a dissolute playboy or a selfish villain, he wouldn't be struggling to make a decision. Even if Yang Yingyun didn't have deep feelings for him, he could still shamelessly pester her, confessing his feelings, and perhaps she would suddenly soften and fall into his arms. But Li Se was naturally not that kind of person. Everything he demanded, especially concerning romantic love, had to be natural and spontaneous, without any coercion.

Moreover, Yang Yingyun wanted to pursue the path of immortality; what if a bad answer harmed her?

In a moment of his thought, a single sentence would determine their fate. Seeing him hesitate and not answer, Yang Yingyun realized that he must have deep feelings for her to act this way. Therefore, her heart was filled with a mixture of emotions, like vinegar being poured out of a bowl—sweet, sour, bitter, spicy, and salty.

She thought to herself, "How will he answer me? Will he keep me, so we can live happily ever after, or will he let me go and pursue the path of immortality alone? I've already begun to challenge the god of fate! Judging from all the signs, Heaven intended for us to meet and develop from the moment we were born. Perhaps we will become lovers and abandon the supreme path of immortality! Throughout history, who has ever resolutely abandoned love, who has ever overcome the obstacles on this path of cultivation?"

She shook her head and thought again, "Although throughout history, very few truly wise and insightful people have seen through the ways of the world and transcended the mortal realm, they must have encountered many difficulties when they did so." "Only with favorable conditions can it be accomplished. Li Se's master encountered a bizarre fate, and only at the age of seventy did he pursue the path of immortality and have the opportunity to become an immortal. But he and I fought against fate, overcoming all sorts of fantasies and desires in our youth."

After sighing many times, Li Se suddenly said heavily, "I also can't bear to part with my sister, but knowing that she is pursuing the Great Dao that many people never have the chance to touch in their entire lives brings me comfort. I cannot force her to stay because of my own selfishness."

Once she made her decision, Yang Yingyun immediately regained her usual calm and composure. This troubling problem, at least for the time being, would no longer trouble her. Her courage was truly unparalleled.

She smiled faintly and said, "Excellent, I'm finally free of worries!" She then nestled in Li Se's arms.

The two walked together on the steps leading to the Hidden Lake.

Yang Yingyun said, "Once a person's character is formed, it's hard to change. Even if he can see through all the ways of the world, he will still be constrained by his character in his actions. A man should be responsible; if he wants something, he should do it. If he considers this and that, in the end, he will inevitably end up with nothing but regret."

Yang Yingyun smiled at Li Se and said, "Please stop here! I'm almost there. Our sect has never invited a man from outside into our sect before, please forgive us."

Li Se said, "Then take care, sister."

Li Se watched Yang Yingyun slowly disappear before his eyes, until even her back was no longer visible. Li Se felt a deep sense of melancholy.

It is true: the barrier of love is easy to overcome, but the sea of hatred is hard to fill.

Chapter Five: Boundless Romance

The battle between the Tianlong Gang and the six major sects at Mount Hua unexpectedly ended peacefully, with each sect returning to regroup.

After Li Se delivered the sword, Yang Yingyun returned to Hidden Lake, feeling dejected. After discussing with the leaders of the six major sects and listening to the suggestions of Chu Liuguang and Xue Yaoguang, she decided to lead the women to the capital to handle salt affairs.

After arriving in the capital, with the help of Xue Yaoguang and Chu Liuguang, and the strong support of Princess Zhu Wushuang, Li Se smoothed out various procedures and finally met with the Emperor. Emperor Yongle, Zhu Di, listened to Li Se's arguments about salt administration and saw that ministers like Yang Shiqi agreed. Although the Prince of Han objected to entrusting such an important matter to Li Se, Zhu Di's mind was made up. Without any obstacles, Li Se seemed to have easily obtained the most lucrative position in the world.

Despite receiving such a great opportunity, Li Se showed no joy whatsoever.

Wang Bao'er, seeing this, said curiously, "Li Lang, we're all safe and sound by your side now, and no one in the martial world is against you anymore. You've got such a good job, and you're about to become the richest man in the world. We've encountered such a great joy, why aren't you happy?"

Li Se affectionately stroked Wang Bao'er's hair and smiled, "Silly girl, you only see the money, but I see the responsibility. This job has been handed to me, so I must do it well. I must ensure the court collects more taxes, but also prevent the people from suffering, and we must have a good income. I promised the Tianlong Gang to reform the six major sects so they can support themselves. If they follow me and handle this salt administration job well, everything will be solved." "But there's a lot to learn here, so we must handle it well and avoid any mistakes."

Xue Yaoguang smiled and said, "Don't worry, Sister Chu and I will take care of things here. You can rest assured, as long as the people from the six major sects follow your orders, everything will be fine. Now that the Grand Canal is taking shape, we need to form a fleet of submarines to transport grain from the south to the north along the Grand Canal. When the ships return, we'll load salt onto the submarines and transport it to the south. This way, we can make a lot of money."

Chu Liuguang smiled and said, "That's right. The Zhao family is best at the grain business. If we cooperate with them, they'll definitely be eager to do so. Besides, the Zhao family has a good relationship with us, so this business will definitely be successful." After saying that, she smiled and glanced at Wang Bao'er.

Wang Bao'er blushed and quickly said, "Yes! With two such clever sisters, there's naturally no need to worry about business!" She thought to herself, "My fourth brother is so devoted to me; it's truly rare. When we were in trouble together, he risked his life to protect me. Unfortunately, I only love Li Lang in this life. If there's an afterlife, I'll definitely be his brother and treat him well."

But she never imagined that if there really was an afterlife, would her fourth brother be willing to be her brother and sister?

Under Li Se's reforms, most of the members of the six major sects were brought under the Salt Gang's name, streamlining the sects and keeping only a small number of members. The Salt Gang then recruited extensively, surpassing the Heavenly Dragon Gang in numbers, making it the largest sect in the martial arts world.

Li Se didn't want so many people to become a rabble, so he strictly enforced discipline, asking Liang Gongchang and Du Kaixian to enforce it. Liang Gongchang, exceptionally intelligent, was naturally suited for the job; while Du Kaixian, obsessed with having several eunuchs like himself, incited others to break the rules, becoming a laughingstock and infamous. Everyone knew his intentions and proceeded cautiously. However,

a few inevitably violated the rules and were punished accordingly, especially one who was castrated. Du Kaixian was overjoyed, first exclaiming that he now had a close subordinate, then praising the succession of his stewardship business, its bright future, and its potential for expansion. This shocked everyone, making them all cautious, and thus the salt gang's discipline improved significantly. Li

Se led his men, obeying orders and focusing on business, reaping considerable profits within just three months. Xue Yaoguang, a shrewd businessman, also managed the Huichuntang branch in various locations with great success, watching as the Li family's business flourished.

Although Xue Yaoguang managed the business, Gu Xiangjun still handled the finances and household affairs. Seeing the business grow increasingly prosperous, Gu Xiangjun was overjoyed. The other women, seeing the family fortune expand and their wealth increase, were also happy, feeling they had made a wise choice in finding such a promising husband as Li Se. With

the Li family's future looking bright and things finally settling down, the women's ambitions began to stir. Each tried their best to please Li Se, and then another incident occurred, further fueling their desires.

It turned out that Xue Yaoguang had brought the madam of the Pinyu Tower in Hangzhou to her side, drawn by her business acumen. Instead of punishing her as Li Se had instructed, Xue Yaoguang had given her important responsibilities, entrusting her with managing some key business transactions. This old woman, who had weathered many storms, had seen it all. With her discerning eye, she noticed Li Se's close relationship with the "Four Great Lechers" and Tie Ding's intimate connection with Wang Bao'er, treating her like his own daughter. She inquired about the reasons behind this and learned of Tie Ding's background, feeling a pang of sympathy. Being quite old herself, she had long wanted to arrange for her future. After much deliberation, she made up her mind.

The madam then meticulously plotted to get close to Tie Ding, showering him with care. Since they were close in age, she used her charms to seduce him and became pregnant with his child. This caused quite a stir; Tie Ding, having a child late in life, doted on her like a precious jewel. This couldn't be kept secret; all the women heard about it and were filled with envy, all harboring the same desire to bear a son or daughter for Li Se.

Although the madam was a seasoned veteran of the pleasure quarters, outwardly she appeared disdainful to everyone, but behind the scenes she was a favorite in the Li household, with all the women seeking her advice on the secrets to conceiving. This madam, it turned out, was quite skilled; she was too busy currying favor with the women to keep anything secret. She readily shared some secret formulas and methods for pleasing men.

Gu Xiangjun, possessing the secret manual of the "Flower Butterfly," paid little attention, and Leng Ruxue was also well-versed in these arts. However, the other women were different. While outwardly they all appeared disdainful, they secretly fawned over Li Se.

Li Se was busy with his business and the salt guild's affairs while also dealing with the women. These women were all beautiful and clever, making it difficult for Li Se to attend to everyone. Therefore, he was extra careful, lest he inadvertently hurt these devoted women who were so deeply in love with him.

Several more months passed, and the women still hadn't conceived. They blamed the madam's secret recipe for being wrong, so they each tried different methods. However, after trying many methods, no one had any success. Finally, the women came to a conclusion: it must be that Li Se wasn't taking it seriously and was just being perfunctory with them. Otherwise, with his wisdom and prowess, how could he not have children? Li Se was surprised to see the women suddenly complaining about him, so he could only carefully coax them.

It happened to be Xue Yaoguang's birthday that day. That night, Li Se stayed in her room. Seeing Xue Yaoguang's delicately painted eyebrows, her beautiful and pure appearance, her willow-leaf eyebrows and almond-shaped eyes, and her dignified and elegant demeanor, he praised her, saying, "A Song dynasty poem says: 'Water is like the horizontal waves of the eyes, mountains are like the gathering peaks of the eyebrows. If you ask a traveler where they are going, it's where their

eyes and brows are brimming with joy.' Sister, your light makeup now truly has the feel of a lotus emerging from water; you are absolutely beautiful." Xue Yaoguang, pleased by Li Se's praise, felt her eyes sparkle with spring, adding a touch of spring to the world. She smiled and said, "So you're saying I wouldn't look good in heavy makeup?"

Li Se replied, "No, you look better with light makeup..." "You have a natural beauty with light makeup, and a stunning beauty with heavy makeup. Every time I use different techniques to draw your eyebrows, you have a different look. They're all beautiful in their own way."

Xue Yaoguang said, "My lord is so good at talking. So tell me, how do I look my best?"

To please Xue Yaoguang, Li Se smiled and said, "Alright, come, come, I'll draw your eyebrows. I guarantee they'll be the most beautiful."

Xue Yaoguang was delighted, but she scolded him, "Hmph, you're just trying to fool me. I don't believe you." She pulled Li Se to the dressing table and let her lover draw her eyebrows. Li Se had never done this before and was clumsy, but under Xue Yaoguang's guidance, he finally finished.

The two of them flirted and teased each other, their minds not entirely on drawing eyebrows.

(47) After kissing Xue Yaoguang's rosy cheeks and jade

neck, Li Se lifted her collar, loosened her bodice, and licked from her deep collarbone to her full breasts, lingering on the two delicate red plum blossoms at the peaks for a long time.

Li Se continued kissing her, his hands shifting from broad caresses to a focused attack on her erogenous zones. First, he stroked her full breasts, then moved downwards, rubbing her genitals through her pants, causing Xue Yaoguang immense stimulation. She began to moan, "So itchy...so itchy...husband...I can't take it anymore..."

"Then take off your clothes, okay? It'll feel better if you're naked." Li Se reached out and began to remove her clothes, unbuttoning her pink jacket and loosening the ties on her bra. With a swift movement, her top was completely open, revealing a pair of pink, smooth, high, and full breasts. The brownish-red areolas and scarlet nipples bounced back and forth, as if beckoning to Li Se.

Li Se buried his face in her chest, cupping her left breast with one hand, making her tender nipple protrude upwards. He then took the nipple into his mouth and suckled it desperately, while his other hand kneaded her right breast incessantly. He then switched breasts, kissing her right and caressing her left. This caused Xue Yaoguang to tremble all over, her hands involuntarily gripping Li Se's head tightly and pressing it against her own chest, making the stimulation of her breasts even more direct. She gasped softly, "Ah...so beautiful...so comfortable..."

Li Se continued unhurriedly, teasing her desire. Finally, Xue Yaoguang could no longer withstand this intense physical and mental stimulation. Her body twisted and she moaned, unable to control herself any longer. She reached her small hand to her abdomen, trembling as she untied the bright red silk belt. Then she grabbed Li Se's right hand, which was kneading her breast, and inserted it into her panties. She then closed her almond-shaped eyes, waiting for that moment that she both longed for and feared.

Li Se didn't rush into anything. Instead, she pulled her blue satin trousers and pink panties down to her waist, then quickly bent her legs and pulled them out of the trousers, kicking them aside. Li Se looked down and suddenly realized why Xue Yaoguang was so proactive and cooperative; she was already overflowing with desire.

The glistening, shimmering fluid had made the entire triangle area sticky, with dewdrops glistening on the curly pubic hair. The high, protruding mound looked as if it had been rained on in spring, warm and moist. The two everted labia were full and tender, and the plump, round clitoris was fully exposed in the vulva. A girl's body fragrance mixed with the pungent smell of her vagina wafted into Li Se's nostrils. Her fair legs and plump buttocks teased and seduced Li Se, making him lose his mind. He involuntarily reached out his hands, opened his thumbs, pressed the two labia, and slowly spread them apart to reveal the bright red flesh inside, soaked with glistening fluid.

Unable to suppress his impulse, Li Se lowered his head and stuck out his tongue, gently scraping the swollen, protruding clitoris. With each scrape, Xue Yaoguang's whole body trembled. With the slow movements, her delicate body convulsed incessantly: "Ah...husband...my whole body...it's so itchy...please...don't torture me anymore...it's numb and itchy...it's so uncomfortable...please...please save me..." She desperately twisted her high, fragrant buttocks, and her little wet hole was filled with lustful fluid, gushing out in gushes, flowing down her vaginal opening and anus, soaking a large patch of the sheets.

Li Se continued to lick the moist valley, gently pressing his hands against the plump jade clam covered with strands of nectar. He slowly parted her with his thumbs, and the beautiful scene suddenly came into view again. The tender red trembled slightly, and the delicate flesh writhed, all bathed in a thin layer of dew, which was absolutely breathtaking.

Li Se's fingers gently kneaded the clam shell a few times, then he found a fleshy bud, as plump as a baby's finger, amidst the tender flesh. Remembering how sensitive this was, he pinched it lightly, and immediately heard the beauty's trembling moan. He also saw the spring tide surge within her, and his heart burned like fire. He couldn't help but cover it with his lips, wantonly sucking and licking.

Xue Yaoguang's delicate body trembled incessantly. Just as she was becoming weak from the beauty, she suddenly felt the man below forcefully insert a hot thing into her tender passage. Although it wasn't as hard and long as some other things, it possessed a different kind of deadly dexterity and playfulness, gently teasing every secret crevice and corner inside. Her limp body immediately tensed up.

Seeing that she couldn't control herself, Li Se licked even more vigorously, rubbing his nose against her clitoris, his handsome face pressed forward, sticking with the warm, slippery substance.

Xue Yaoguang urged, "You bad boy, you're...you're teasing me again, come on!"

Li Se seemed to ignore her, his burning tongue withdrawing from her flower path, his hot lips covering the plump, tender tip of her vulva, sometimes gently nibbling, sometimes forcefully sucking, sometimes lightly smacking, sometimes gently biting, using all his enchanting techniques until Xue Yaoguang was drooling with pleasure.

Xue Yaoguang's eyes flickered with ever-changing emerald light, and she panted seductively, "Take me now."

Her two alabaster legs were already wrapped around the man's waist.

Li Se looked up at her and saw her face flushed, panting heavily, moaning incessantly, her hips swaying wildly. Knowing the time was ripe, he quickly got up, took off his clothes, grasped his already swollen, purplish-red penis, and slid it up and down between her labia a few times, coating it with her juices as lubricant. Then, aiming at her opening, he pressed down with his entire body, and with a soft "whoosh," his large member plunged into her vagina, two-thirds of it going in. This caused Xue Yaoguang to let out a painful scream.

Li Se felt her vagina tighten after penetration, and the vaginal walls contracted sharply, as if trying to squeeze him out. Li Se knew this was muscle contraction caused by intense pain, so he had to stop to ease her pain before he could begin thrusting again.

"Feeling better? Don't be nervous, it'll pass soon." With that, Li Se began to slowly thrust in and out, simultaneously kneading her breasts with his left hand and wrapping his right arm around her neck, kissing her repeatedly. This simultaneous action, attacking her from above, below, and in a short while, calmed her pain. She began to feel comfortable, the pained expression on her face disappearing, replaced by a faint smile.

Knowing from her expression that her pain had subsided, Li Se began his fierce assault, kissing her pink face forcefully, pinching and twisting her swollen nipples with his left hand, while his large penis thrust forcefully and rapidly, penetrating harder, faster, and deeper with each stroke. Li Se knew he had to satisfy her completely; she would never forget this blissful moment.

Xue Yaoguang's desire was aroused by Li Se's thrusting. She twisted her hips, forcefully moving upwards to meet Li Se's thrusts, and then wrapped her legs around his buttocks, pressing down hard to make Li Se's large penis penetrate deeper into her vagina, tightly binding it with her vagina, leaving no gap, in order to quell the overwhelming lust in her heart.

"Good husband...you are so good...it's so beautiful..."

"Is it comfortable? Is it satisfying?"

"Comfortable...extremely...satisfying...extremely...Yao'er loves you to death...I never thought this kind of thing...could be so comfortable...if I had known...I would have let you do it sooner...it's all your fault...I wanted it sooner...but you wouldn't let me...on the boat on Xuanwu Lake...I wanted it...ah...so good...your thing...is so long...so big...so hard...it feels so good to Yao'er...mmm...it goes in so deep...ah...oh...oh...it's so beautiful..."

Xue Yaoguang's lewd moans continued. She was truly wanton, constantly moaning in bed. She was already drenched in sweat and panting, but she continued to thrust upwards, moaning, "Ah...good husband...put it in a little deeper...it's itchy inside...yes...right there...so...so accurate...Yao'er is so happy..."

Li Se thrust forcefully and relentlessly, attacking her continuously. After hundreds of thrusts, she was exhausted, her limbs weak and her body limp, lying helplessly beneath Li Se, letting him roam freely over her, but her lewd words still flowed out: "Ah...Yao'er can't take it anymore...I'm about to die...ah...ah..."

Xue Yaoguang's snow-white body passionately and seductively accepted him, occasionally tilting her chin slightly, enticing Li Se to bow his head and kiss her softly; sometimes she would hug her waist and buttocks, provoking him to indulge in wild abandon, thrusting and pounding with his wolfish waist.

Li Se was exceptionally vigorous, his hammer plunging deep into her, making Xue Yaoguang's plump and tender member tremble and bounce wildly.

Tiger suddenly straightened up, pressing his hands down on Xue Yaoguang's waist and hips. The head of his rod suddenly changed angle, thrusting diagonally upwards. After a few thrusts, he found the itchy tendon at the top of the flower path and immediately sent each thrust into that fleshy wall like a storm... The iron spear danced below, each thrust hitting the itchy tendon.

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