[Wuxia] The Carefree Journey of the Tang Dynasty (Book) - 4-6

Chapter 013 Sword Gathering Heavenly Blade

A perfectly good meal was ruined by a lecherous fellow who barged in halfway through. Yuan Yueze also killed another life, but unlike before, this time it was purely through martial arts.

After slightly comforting the still somewhat worried Wei Zhenzhen, Shang Xiuxun glanced at Yuan Yueze with a resentful look, then got up and went back to her room to rest.

It was getting late, and Yuan Yueze was preparing to start a "battle" with his wives when he heard a knock on the door.

"You...who are you?"

The innkeeper was stunned to see the handsome young man who opened the door.

"Oh, it's like this, we've disguised ourselves because my wife and I are naturally ugly and we're afraid of scaring outsiders. Also, since we entered Chengdu today, many passersby have been quite wary of our appearance, even pointing and whispering like we're looking at monkeys. So my wife suggested that we all dress up nicely, so it'll be easier for us to go out. Is there anything I can do for you, innkeeper? We need to rest."

Yuan Yueze explained.

"So that's how it is. I don't have anything special to say, but you've taken a life tonight, and I'm worried someone might come looking for me tomorrow... My whole family depends on this restaurant for their livelihood... so..."

The innkeeper stammered after giving an "I see" look.

"I understand. We'll settle the bill and leave tomorrow. If your restaurant suffers any losses due to us before the bill is settled, I will compensate you double the amount. How does that sound?"

Yuan Yueze said with a smile. When had he ever been afraid of anyone? If the forces behind that lecherous man he killed today didn't come, fine, but if they dared to cause trouble again, he'd kill them without hesitation!

"I understand. Then please rest, esteemed guests. I'll take my leave."

Upon hearing Yuan Yueze's words, the innkeeper was overjoyed and quickly took his leave. He thought to himself: Hehe, I hope someone comes looking for me before the bill is settled tomorrow and tears this restaurant down!

"Husband, is something wrong outside?"

Shan Meixian and the other women were already in the middle of a passionate battle, and the knocking at the door naturally displeased them. Seeing Yuan Yueze return, they asked.

"The manager is worried that the person we killed today has powerful backing and fears it will affect his restaurant, so he's come to ask for a promise. I've already spoken to him,"

Yuan Yueze explained.

"It'd better no one bother us tomorrow, otherwise they might want to test their skills!"

Shan Ruyin raised her jade-like arm, shaking her small arm that barely had any biceps, and laughed.

"Alright, alright, let's not worry about them, let's rest!"

Yuan Yueze shouted, rushing into the flower bushes.

It was nearly the end of the 5 PM hour, and most people were already fast asleep.

In the backyard of the Chuannan Gambling House, in a spacious and luxuriously decorated study, several people sat around the reception table with heavy expressions. There were men and women.

The man seated at the head of the table was a middle-aged man, whose appearance was of average quality, but his skin was pale and bluish-green, clearly a sign of the effects of excessive drinking and womanizing. Beside him lay a gleaming, golden abacus.

"Why has the Yuwen clan come to Chengdu? Does the emperor have some other scheme up his sleeve?"

the man asked.

"Why does Uncle think it's the Yuwen clan? If the Yuwen clan came to Sichuan, why didn't we have any prior warning? Besides, didn't Gong Si, who returned today, say that the man himself admitted that the martial arts he used weren't 'Ice Profound Force'?"

said a seemingly spoiled young master beside the middle-aged man.

"Things can't be that simple! I examined Ji Tong's body myself. In the entire world, only the Yuwen Clan's 'Ice Profound Force' can unleash such powerful, even chilling, true qi! And how could the Yuwen Clan be foolish enough to admit they used 'Ice Profound Force'?"

An old woman with white hair and a whisk spoke from beside the table.

Her appearance was far from pleasant; at first glance, she gave a withered and cold impression. Her nose was knotted, and her head, neck, hands, waist, and feet were adorned with various ornaments made of gemstones, jade, and precious shells, jingling as they fluttered through the air. But the glittering jewelry and peacock-like colorful clothes couldn't conceal the sinister and vicious glint in her eyes. Coupled with her long, curved, sharp nails, she resembled a female zombie resurrected from her coffin, carrying all her burial goods.

“I thought of all this, which is why, after Ji Tong was brought back, I didn’t dare make a sound and immediately notified Grandma to discuss how to deal with it,”

the middle-aged man at the head of the table said again.

“What are you afraid of! So what if it’s the Yuwen clan! Even a powerful dragon can’t suppress a local snake! How can Brother Ji Tong die in vain?”

A young girl who seemed to be of Miao ethnicity spoke up next to the white-haired old woman.

This Miao girl had a charming figure and long, shiny black hair. Surprisingly, she didn’t wear any hats or ribbons, and her body exuded a lively youthful energy, as if she was enjoying life to the fullest every moment.

Her cheekbones were quite high, and if it weren’t for her equally high and straight nose, they would have been quite jarring. Now, they only made her look arrogant, yet charming. She wore a pleated skirt that reached her knees, revealing her beautifully curved leggings and a pair of leather boots, giving her an air of demureness.

“Sina, with your recklessness, how can your grandmother rest easy if you really leave Bashu in the future? You must know that the world is vast, and there are countless masters! The Yuwen clan has countless experts. Just take Yuwen Huaji as an example; even I don’t dare to be confident that I can defeat him! Not to mention, there is also Yuwen Shang, whose cultivation is at the Celestial level, above him. Moreover, the Yuwen clan wields immense power in the court. Although Bashu is far from the emperor’s reach, if a conflict were to break out, I’m afraid we wouldn’t gain much of an advantage!”

The white-haired old woman said earnestly.

The Miao girl nodded sheepishly and said nothing more.

“But if my cousin were to die in vain like this, what would become of the Huo family’s prestige?”

The young master next to the man seated above said indignantly.

"Uncle, you think you'd be happy to see your son die, with your white hair fading away? But our opponents are from the four great clans! If we really fight, even if we win, Xie Hui and the others will only benefit. This time, the Huo family has to admit defeat! Grandma, when you get back, please tell your people to be careful and find out who the Yuwen family is and what their purpose is! Sigh!"

The middle man in the seat looked dejected, as if he had aged ten years in an instant, and sighed.

"Qingqiao, you should also accept your loss. We can't avenge Ji Tong now, but that doesn't mean we can't in the future! We will never tolerate this forever, hmph!"

The white-haired old woman sneered.

"Uncle, you should go and rest. I'll see Grandma out."

The playboy said.

The middle-aged man nodded, and after seeing them leave, he lowered his head and fell into deep thought.

The next day, Yuan Yueze and the others were refreshed. After breakfast, they discussed where to go for fun.

It was Shang Xiuxun's first time going out, and she had no objections to where they went, finding everything new and exciting. The other girls were too lazy to care about such things, except for Yuan Yueze and Shan Meixian, who discussed it together.

"Shall we continue exploring Bashu?"

Yuan Yueze suggested.

"We don't know who that person we offended yesterday is, but we should try our best not to let them discover our whereabouts. After all, we accidentally revealed our true identities, and the worst thing is if someone with ulterior motives finds out it's us. Then we'll be entangled in endless trouble, and we won't be able to enjoy our leisurely travels,"

Shan Meixian said after a moment's thought.

“That’s right. Let’s leave Bashu then. Where to go next?”

Yuan Yueze asked.

“Bashu isn’t too far from Lingnan. The Song family is based in Lingnan, and I’ve heard that the scenery in Song Family Mountain City is exceptionally beautiful. Would you be interested in visiting it, my husband?”

Shan Meixian suggested.

“Alright, let’s call Wanjing and Xiuxun over. Let’s pack up and set off.”

Shan Wanjing, Shang Xiuxun, and the other women agreed upon hearing that they were going to Song Family Mountain City and wanted to see it for themselves. Shang Xiuxun was particularly excited because Song Yuzhi, the youngest daughter of Song Que, the leader of the Song Clan, had known her since childhood and they were very close. However, their families lived too far apart, so they rarely saw each other. With such a good opportunity, why not take it?

The group of six left the room and went to the counter to pay the bill.

The innkeeper was utterly frustrated. Yesterday, these customers had said they'd receive double compensation if they caused any loss before the bill was settled, but now that they were paying, no one was causing trouble. It seemed his plan to make a quick buck had failed.

He also noticed how strange these customers were: they were handsome and dashing in his room, but once outside, they reverted to their ugly appearance. "There are countless strange people in the world!"

the innkeeper thought to himself, shaking his head as he watched them leave.

After leaving the inn, they hadn't walked far when Wei Zhenzhen said, "Husband, someone is following us."

"If I'm not mistaken, it should be from that short-lived lecher's faction from yesterday, right? Why haven't they made a move and are only following us?"

Shang Xiuxun asked curiously.

"Think about that slowly. Let's get rid of them first!"

Yuan Yueze pulled up Shang Xiuxun, the least skilled fighter, and turned to the other women.

The group's internal energy was all considerable, and they instantly transformed into ghostly figures, rushing out of the city.

They covered over twenty miles, and the differences in their martial arts skills began to emerge: Shan Meixian and Wei Zhenzhen, due to their diligent practice and training, possessed the best lightness skill and ran in the lead; Yuan Yueze's lightness skill was average, but his internal energy was incredibly profound, placing him in the middle; while Shan Wanjing and Shan Ruyin, lazy and carefree, had the weakest skills.

In the blink of an eye, they arrived outside Chengdu. They could no longer sense anyone following them and relaxed.

Shan Wanjing and Shan Ruyin's internal energy was already somewhat disordered, so Yuan Yueze and the other girls rested on the spot.

Shan Meixian criticized Shan Wanjing a few times, but found she wouldn't listen. She could only smile helplessly, "Let's slowly walk towards Lingnan and enjoy the scenery along the way."

She then winked at Yuan Yueze, her eyes frequently glancing at Shang Xiuxun, her gaze full of ambiguity.

Seeing Shan Meixian's expression, Yuan Yueze knew she wanted him and Shang Xiuxun to have more time alone, so he nodded.

Afterwards, Shan Meixian led the four women ahead, while Yuan Yueze and Shang Xiuxun lagged behind.

Last night, Shang Xiuxun had been harassed by the "devilish sounds" of Yuan Yueze and the women's revelry next door, leaving her feeling hot and bothered, her face flushed, her heart pounding, and tossing and turning in agony. This ordeal lasted for almost two hours before Yuan Yueze's side finally quieted down. Shang Xiuxun, however, couldn't sleep at all, wondering to herself, "Is my senior brother really that good? Can I handle it?" Thinking of this, she immediately spat at herself for being shameless: her relationship with her senior brother wasn't even close to being established yet, and she was already thinking about this kind of thing.

The group had left in a hurry today, and Yuan Yueze hadn't paid much attention to Shang Xiuxun, only offering a simple greeting.

Shang Xiuxun felt resentful. After leaving the city, she was grateful to Shan Meixian for deliberately giving them some time alone. Then she saw Yuan Yueze looking at her with a mischievous grin, and Shang Xiuxun was so embarrassed she couldn't lift her head: Should she go? She was reluctant to give up this rare time alone; if she didn't go, she was incredibly awkward. She could only follow behind Yuan Yueze, her mind in turmoil.

Yuan Yueze took only a few steps before turning back to grab Shang Xiuxun's hand, trying to change the mood. "Xiuxun, you've been away for a few days now. Have you missed home? You seem a little sad."

"No...no. It's my first time going out, and I've been playing and walking with my senior brothers and sisters. I've never been so happy in my life. I don't want to go back to the ranch!" Shang Xiuxun

said shyly, her words carrying a hidden meaning.

"So Xiuxun also likes this kind of life? I thought that growing up in such a strict family environment, burdened with the responsibilities of her ancestors, would never want to live like me!"

"No, actually I think the kind of life you live, Senior Brother, is the most suitable for people. There are too many people in the world who are bound by all sorts of things. Who doesn't want to be free? But we have responsibilities like destiny, power, and emotions to bear, so even if we envy you, Senior Brother, we still can't do it. Xiuxun is very lucky to have met Master, and her destiny has been completely changed. Now, Xiuxun only wants to live this kind of free and unrestrained life."

Shang Xiuxun's words were nothing short of a "subtle" confession. Her voice grew softer and softer, and she became more and more shy.

“Actually, I also really like Xiuxun. Xiuxun can be considered one of the five most beautiful women of our time; her beauty alone is unparalleled. Perhaps because of my arrival, or perhaps due to a historical discrepancy, the current Xiuxun is not as aloof and arrogant as described in the books. Therefore, she is even more endearing. If Xiuxun is willing to travel the world with your senior brother and your sisters, your senior brother welcomes you. At the same time, your senior brother swears to treat you the same way he treated Meixian and the others, and will not let you suffer any grievances!”

Yuan Yueze understood everything and directly said to Shang Xiuxun with a smile. Then he turned around and opened his arms.

"Are you willing to accompany your senior brother on that endless path of life? Are you willing to abandon everything and ascend to the upper realm with your senior brother?"

Hearing such a heartfelt confession, Shang Xiuxun could no longer hold back. Like a little bird, she flew into Yuan Yueze's arms, hugging his strong waist tightly. Feeling the masculine aura emanating from his chest, she wept with joy: "Xiuxun is willing! Xiuxun will always stay by your side, senior brother, never to leave you!"

Finally, another "destiny" had been sealed. Looking down at Shang Xiuxun nestled in his arms, Yuan Yueze felt an immense sense of satisfaction: she had entrusted everything to him, and he would definitely give her a happiness that no other woman in the world could attain!

"Let's go. Now Meixian and the others are your true best friends."

After comforting Shang Xiuxun for a while, Yuan Yueze gently patted her back.

Shang Xiuxun nodded shyly, giving Yuan Yueze a sidelong glance, but she was reluctant to leave that unforgettable embrace.

Yuan Yueze also enjoyed holding her, so he didn't let go, his arm around her slender waist as they walked forward.

The women walking ahead, including Shan Meixian, would occasionally steal glances back at Yuan Yueze and Shang Xiuxun. Seeing that Yuan Yueze had already embraced Shang Xiuxun, they understood that their husbands were no longer separated from her.

Shang Xiuxun looked up and saw that the women ahead seemed to be slowing their pace to wait for her and her senior brother. Embarrassed, she struggled to break free from his embrace. But Yuan Yueze was enjoying himself and wouldn't let go. Helpless, she could only let Yuan Yueze hold her as they approached to greet the women. Her face flushed, she buried her head deeply, not daring to look up again.

"Sister Xiuxun is finally going to be our sister! But I'm at a disadvantage!"

Shan Wanjing teased.

"Oh? What makes you say that?"

Yuan Yueze asked Shan Wanjing, still not letting go of Shang Xiuxun.

"Thinking back to before, because my husband was Sister Xiuxun's senior brother, even though Sister Xiuxun was a year older than me, I had to call her sister-in-law because of the lower seniority. Now, it's great, I've become Sister Xiuxun's younger sister!"

Shan Wanjing said charmingly.

Everyone couldn't help but smile at her amusing words.

As the atmosphere eased, Shang Xiuxun's shyness lessened, and the group chatted idly as they walked. Time flew by, and ten days later, at noon, Yuan Yueze and his companions finally arrived at the foot of Songjia Mountain City.

Songjia Mountain City was situated at the confluence of the Yu River and the Song River, surrounded by water on three sides. The city, built from the mountainside, followed the contours of the mountain, its main buildings dominating a large expanse of flat land carved out of the mountains. Its strategic location gave it the air of a formidable fortress, overlooking the surrounding mountains and plains, and facing Yulin County across the distance, symbolizing the dominant power over the safety of the entire Lingnan region. Along the Yu River, dozens of large warehouses and hundreds of docks of varying sizes had been built. When Zeng Jin accompanied Song Lu across the river by boat, the docks were filled with ships of all sizes, and the waterway was bustling with traffic; the prosperity and grandeur of the place greatly impressed him.

Looking up, the enormous city was built against the mountain, its summit reaching halfway up the mountainside, nearly a hundred zhang high. The mountain city was built high above the ground, surrounded by steep cliffs. Only a wide staircase of 999 steps connected the towering city to the ground. From a distance, the entire mountain city appeared to be a concave shape, with two protruding sections forming two towering defensive fortifications. The inner section was the only way in and out of the city, leading to the main gate connected to the granite-carved steps. Therefore, Song Family Mountain City was a strategically vital location; even a massive army could not possibly conquer it.

Yuan Yueze didn't pay much attention to the scenery. His heart was racing, and his blood was surging. He could even clearly sense a powerful, heaven-and-earth-spanning sword aura permeating the entire mountain city, as if calling to him.

Shan Meixian, sensing it as well, laughed and said, "This must be the spiritual power of 'Heavenly Blade,' the patriarch of the Song Clan. This is how the auras of experts are sensed; those with slightly lower cultivation levels can't detect it."

"Song Family Mountain City truly lives up to its reputation. Surrounded by mountains and flowing rivers, its rugged terrain is treacherous. Even with tens of thousands of elite troops, it would be useless! No wonder Emperor Wen of Sui couldn't conquer Song Family Mountain City with tens of thousands of troops!"

Seeing Yuan Yueze nod thoughtfully, Shan Meixian praised again.

The other women, including Yuan Yueze, were all shocked to witness Song Family Mountain City firsthand.

As they walked and praised, they arrived at the entrance to the mountain path, where a man was already waiting.

Upon closer inspection, he was a handsome young man of about twenty-four or twenty-five, with an extraordinary air about him. His innate, approachable demeanor made one feel as if they were bathed in a spring breeze when in his presence.

Seeing that Yuan Yueze and his companions had arrived at the entrance to the mountain path, the handsome young man stepped forward and smiled, saying, "I am Song Shidao . My father, Song Que, informed me half an hour ago that distinguished guests had arrived from afar, and instructed me to wait for them at the mountain gate. Please, gentlemen!" He

then stepped aside, bowed, and gestured for them to

proceed. Yuan Yueze was startled: half an hour ago he was still quite far away. Was Song Que's spiritual cultivation really that powerful? Even he himself had only sensed Song Que's presence when he reached the vicinity of the mountain city!

After a brief moment of shock, Yuan Yueze regained his composure and looked at Song Shidao. He had witnessed firsthand the Son of the Heavenly Blade from the original story; indeed, he was elegant and extraordinary, humble and polite, without a trace of arrogance or domineering air, but rather magnanimous and generous. He couldn't help but secretly admire him.

Of course, among the young talents of the four great clans of this era, only two stood out the most: Song Shidao of the Song clan and Li Shimin of the Li clan.

Yuan Yueze preferred Song Shidao. Song Shidao's demeanor seemed genuine, as the original text stated he had no interest in fame or fortune. Li Shimin, on the other hand, despite his repeated claims of acting "for the people," failed to project sincerity. He was a politician, his lust for power too strong. No matter how much he spoke of "for the country and the people," he couldn't escape the inherent flaws of "one family ruling the world." Seeing Song Shidao's

humility and politeness, Yuan Yueze guessed it was partly due to his personality, and partly because Song Shidao, being a martial artist, could sense the powerful inner energy flowing within Yuan Yueze and his companions. Furthermore, the unique aura, physique, and posture of Yuan Yueze and his companions, which didn't match their appearances, gave Song Shidao, with his experience in judging people, a glimpse of something amiss.

"Thank you for your trouble, Brother Shidao,"

Yuan Yueze said with a smile, returning the greeting. Even his smile carried a hint of menace.

The group slowly ascended the steps and entered the mountain city.

Yuan Yueze couldn't help but be curious as there wasn't a single guard near the road Song Shidao led them along.

The exterior and interior of Song Family Mountain City evoked completely different feelings; if the former conjured images of battle and warfare, the latter only suggested tranquility and peace.

Hundreds of houses were scattered throughout the city, connected by more than ten orderly, bluestone-paved avenues. The most distinctive feature was its tiered layout, ascending the mountainside in layers, with stone steps and ramps connecting each level for easy access for residents and their vehicles.

Trees and flowers lined the roads, and mountain spring water was channeled into streams that meandered through the gardens and residences, creating endless beauty with bridges, ponds, and pavilions. The spacious and comfortable environment was reminiscent of a Jiangnan garden, making one feel as if they were in a large mountain garden.

The main buildings clustered on a large open platform about two miles in circumference around the ninth floor. The pavilions were imposing and the architecture elegant, constructed of wood and stone. From the eaves to the latticed windows, the meticulous craftsmanship created a grand and imposing atmosphere imbued with southern cultural influence, further highlighting the Song clan's significant position in the south.

Song Shidao led the way with polite manners, not even bothering to inquire about the names of Yuan Yueze and the others. Yuan Yueze and the women, however, looked around as they walked, occasionally letting out a gasp of surprise.

Finally, Song Shidao led them alone into a luxurious reception hall. Several people were already waiting inside. Upon closer inspection, they were three men and one woman.

The man in the middle, clad in a long, flowing blue robe, appeared to be around thirty-five years old. His jet-black hair was tied in a red bun atop his head. His features were flawless; his handsome face, without a single blemish, featured a pair of bright, jewel-like eyes beneath thick, clear eyebrows. His broad forehead suggested extraordinary wisdom, and his calm demeanor carried a melancholic air that could move anyone, yet also conveyed a deep and unfathomable emotion. He was tall and slender, yet imposing. A long, black beard flowed across his chest, and he stood with his hands clasped behind his back, exuding an air of grandeur. An air of arrogance and dominance was subtly present throughout his body.

Although his temples were streaked with gray, he showed no signs of aging; instead, it added to his noble bearing and scholarly air, making him seem both awe-inspiring and unapproachable. With his well-proportioned and graceful figure and imposing physique, he truly possessed the captivating aura of an unparalleled top master.

"This must be 'Heavenly Blade.' He's indeed a master; my cultivation is certainly inferior to his!"

Yuan Yueze sighed inwardly.

His gaze shifted to a middle-aged man beside Song Que. This man was around forty years old, extremely tall and slender, dressed in white robes as white as snow, with five long, flowing beards. However, what was most striking and commanded respect were his intelligent and slightly melancholic eyes, as deep and unfathomable as a lake or the sea.

"This must be 'Earth Sword,'"

Yuan Yueze immediately thought.

His gaze shifted again, and he saw an elderly man with silver hair and beard, appearing to be around fifty years old. His demeanor was as immovable as a mountain, a mature and composed figure. He leaned on a silver cane inlaid with a ferocious dragon head.

"This must be Song Lu, right?"

Yuan Yueze thought again.

Finally, his gaze fell upon the girl, who appeared to be about eighteen or nineteen years old, behind Song Que. The girl's features possessed a strong masculine quality, and her appearance, skin, and temperament were unparalleled, making her a peerless beauty second only to Shang Xiuxun.

"This must be Song Yuzhi, right?"

Yuan Yueze thought.

Yuan Yueze and his group entered the hall. Neither side spoke. While Yuan Yueze's group sized up the others, Song Que's group was also carefully observing them. Song Que, Song Zhi, and Song Lu all showed surprise in their eyes. Song Yuzhi, however, seemed particularly interested in Yuan Yueze's eyes. She wasn't intimidated by his ugly appearance, but stared intently at his unfathomable, starry eyes, even becoming somewhat lost in thought. Only after Yuan Yueze smiled and nodded at her did she come to her senses, her face inexplicably flushing, and she lowered her head.

"I am sorry for not welcoming you properly since you have come to my Song Family Mountain City,"

Song Que's gentle and pleasant voice rang out.

"My wife and I have come uninvited; please forgive us, Master,"

Yuan Yueze said with a cupped-hands smile.

Upon hearing the name "Yuan," Song Zhi and Song Lu seemed to realize something, their surprise turning to shock. Song Que, however, remained unmoved, smiling as he gestured for Yuan Yueze and the others to take their seats.

Yuan Yueze and his companions accepted the invitation without ceremony, taking their seats under his guidance.

"I've come uninvited today, but I have a matter I need the Clan Leader's help with,"

Yuan Yueze said, looking up at Song Que.

"Brother Yuan, please speak,"

Song Que said calmly, merely glancing at them.

"I believe the Clan Leader has already guessed my wife and my identities, so please keep it a secret and do not tell anyone outside of this gathering today,"

Yuan Yueze said.

"So it really is you! I only guessed a little from your demeanor, your inner energy, and your surnames, and given the conflicting rumors about Brother Yuan, I wasn't certain. Brother Yuan, are you not afraid I'll scheme against you? Do you know that rumors about you originated from Song Family Mountain City months ago?"

Song Que asked with a cryptic smile.

"There is nothing or no one in this world that I, Yuan, fear. I heard that rumor a few months ago, but I thought that someone as 'Heavenly Blade' as him would never do such a despicable thing. Therefore, I have long forgotten about that rumor,"

Yuan Yueze laughed heartily.

"Ah! You...you are Yuan Yueze?"

Song Yuzhi, standing beside Song Que, covered her mouth with both hands and exclaimed.

Yuan Yueze nodded slightly to Song Yuzhi.

Song Yuzhi was first delighted, then somewhat disappointed. She was delighted to have seen this world-renowned person in person, and that he had not "ascended to immortality" as the outside world had said. She was disappointed because this person was already middle-aged, and looked to be about the same generation as her father.

Song Que glanced at Song Yuzhi, clearly understanding what his daughter was thinking. He then said to Yuan Yueze, "Brother Yuan, you are indeed a true hero. I swear that what happened today will not be known to anyone else. As for the rumors, although they came from Shancheng, they were not ordered by us. I have been investigating for months without finding a single clue. However, this is the secret reception hall of the Song family in Shancheng, and there are no lookouts outside. Brother Yuan, would you mind showing us your true appearance?"

Song Que's eyesight was sharp, and he could tell that the men were disguised.

"What's so difficult about that?"

Yuan Yueze laughed. He and the women removed their ugly masks, revealing their original appearances.

The Song family members in the hall felt as if they had gone from hell to heaven; the change was unimaginable! The men who had been incredibly ugly just moments before were now exceptionally handsome, and the women were like celestial beings descended from heaven.

Song Yuzhi first glanced at the women, her eyes dimming, then she focused all her attention on Yuan Yueze, her surprise evident. Her cute little mouth was wide open as she stared at Yuan Yueze. Lost in thought, he seemed to be pondering something.

While the Song family members were still admiring him, Song Que was the first to snap out of it, clearing his throat to bring them back to reality.

"Brother Yuan is so young! It's quite a surprise to me. And your wives are indeed as beautiful as the celestial beings described,"

Song Que said. His tone emphasized the word "surprise." With his cultivation level, he naturally sensed that Yuan Yueze's abilities were indeed extraordinary, but not powerful enough to shake the world.

However, Song Que could not have imagined Yuan Yueze's experiences recently. His once-powerful voice contained power beyond the mortal realm. And the Yuan Yueze of today was no longer the Yuan Yueze who once commanded respect.

Yuan Yueze vaguely understood the meaning behind Song Que's words, and smiled slightly without speaking.

"In that case, I would like to take the liberty of inviting Brother Yuan and his family to stay in the mountain city for a while. I have suddenly become interested in sparring,"

Song Que said, a glint of light flashing in his gem-like eyes.

"Well... to be honest, my wife and I have always enjoyed traveling and living a free and unrestrained life. But this mountain city is crowded and bustling. If my whereabouts are leaked, it will not only cause trouble for the Song Clan, but also make me a nuisance to some people in the future. My main purpose in coming to Lingnan today is to see the Song family's mountain city and to witness the demeanor of the clan leader. I am already satisfied. As for sparring, we can do that another time if fate allows. I only ask that the clan leader promise me that you will never leak any information about my family. I must take my leave now."

Yuan Yueze politely declined. He was not a 'martial artist' in the strict sense, so he wasn't very interested in sparring.

However, if he could spar with a grandmaster like 'Heavenly Blade,' Yuan Yueze still had a slight longing in his heart, because his previous moves had been too fast, and he hadn't used pure internal energy. If he could use 'Heavenly Blade' to measure his own martial arts skills, it wouldn't be a bad thing.

“If Young Master Yuan is worried about his whereabouts being exposed, how about you and your wife stay temporarily at Yu Zhi’s ‘Listening to the Waves Cottage’? There are only four people there, including servants. Yu Zhi can send them away first. Besides, there are many places to visit in the mountain city. It would be a pity to leave in such a hurry. Moreover, Yu Zhi and your wife, Sister Xiu Xun, have been friends for many years. You can take this opportunity to get together. What do you think, Young Master Yuan?”

Song Yu Zhi said hurriedly when she saw Yuan Yueze was

about to leave. She had been staring at Yuan Yueze, but when she suddenly heard him say goodbye, she quickly came back to her senses. Seeing Shang Xiu Xun beside her, she was somewhat surprised. When did Shang Xiu Xun marry this Young Master Yuan? He was too mysterious! Not a single word of it had leaked out of the martial arts world! Song Que and the others naturally recognized Shang Xiu Xun. They had noticed her the moment they entered the room and had their doubts, but when Yuan Yueze revealed his identity, they suddenly understood. Yuan Yueze was absolutely worthy of Shang Xiu Xun in every way.

Yuan Yueze remained silent, only glancing at Shang Xiuxun. Seeing the expectant look in her eyes, he thought for a moment and nodded, replying, "Then I'll trouble you, Master Song. We'll just appear as a facade in front of outsiders."

"I thank you for your hospitality, Master Song and Miss Song,"

Yuan Yueze smiled and nodded to the Song family in thanks.

"As for the sparring that Master Song mentioned, if you're interested, how about we begin immediately?"

Yuan Yueze continued.

"Brother Yuan, after your journey, don't you need to rest? How about we fight again when you're fully recovered?"

Song Que was unambiguous about the duel, speaking solemnly. He hadn't considered a match like this for decades, so he hoped his opponent would stand before him in perfect form.

"That's unnecessary. I never need to rest intentionally," Yuan

Yueze smiled.

Song Que scanned him with his spiritual power, sensing that Yuan Yueze was indeed at his peak. He immediately rose and led everyone out the back door of the living room.

A moment later, the group arrived at a large open space, nearly a thousand feet in diameter, behind the pavilion. This was the training ground behind the 'Bright Moon Pavilion.' Only those personally authorized by Song Que were allowed to enter. Therefore, the open space was sparsely populated, resembling a wilderness.

"I've heard that the Clan Head enjoys sparring in the 'Sharpening Knife Hall,' haven't I?"

Yuan Yueze asked curiously.

"Indeed, but I'm somewhat worried that sparring with Brother Yuan might ruin the 'Sharpening Knife Hall.' Also, there are no outsiders here, so Brother Yuan's whereabouts and today's events won't be exposed—a win-win situation."

"Thank you for your kindness, Clan Head. Please!"

Yuan Yueze closed his eyes, took out a longsword from his bracelet—its blade and scabbard were completely transparent, standing upright in the wind—and spoke.

Yuan Yueze could sense Song Que's strength, and therefore dared not be careless; this was the first time he had used a weapon.

"This sword was a gift from my master,"

Yuan Yueze explained, seeing the Song family members' astonishment at him taking the sword out of thin air, especially since it seemed to be a treasure.

"Good! Heavenly Blade!"

Song Que's eyes suddenly flashed with a sharp light, his expression remaining calm as he shouted.

He slightly raised his right hand, grabbing at the air, and a thick-backed broadsword flew out automatically from a nearby pavilion, landing directly in Song Que's hand!

A miraculous change occurred.

The moment the broadsword entered Song Que's grasp, Song Que and the sword became an inseparable, perfectly integrated whole—a powerful and profound feeling, subtle and indescribable.

Although he was only standing there at a distance, Yuan Yueze could still clearly feel the invincible, ethereal yet tangible sword aura emanating from Song Que, the surrounding air making him feel as if he were in the far north, chilling to the bone.

Such cultivation was truly unbelievable without witnessing it firsthand.

Even with Yuan Yueze's high martial arts skills, Shan Meixian felt Song Que's strength even more acutely. He hadn't released any energy to summon the 'Heavenly Blade,' as if the 'Heavenly Blade' itself possessed a life of its own, automatically flying to find its master!

The instant the 'Heavenly Blade' landed in Song Que's hand, Yuan Yueze clearly felt the immense, invisible blade energy emanating from Song Que, who had just appeared as a refined scholar, enveloping him completely, locking him in place, making even movement difficult.

Martial arts emphasize four aspects: body, mind, spirit, and technique. Compared to Song Que, Yuan Yueze was no less skilled in body and spirit, perhaps even surpassing him. However, in terms of mind and technique, Yuan Yueze was far inferior. Although he possessed a sword, he knew no sword techniques whatsoever.

But Yuan Yueze was no ordinary person.

Under the pressure of his opponent's powerful mental energy, Yuan Yueze didn't exert all his strength to resist. Instead, he calmed himself, transforming himself into a small boat in the ocean of his opponent's mental energy, swaying up and down with the waves, yet never capsizing.

Song Que nodded in secret admiration. He clearly sensed the gap between Yuan Yueze's spiritual cultivation and his own, yet Yuan Yueze's casual response to his move was perfectly natural.

Once Yuan Yueze calmed his mind, he became completely absorbed, as if he weren't fighting anyone. He simply absorbed the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, his breath and heartbeat slowly merging with nature. As his spiritual realm continued to rise, a feeling of detachment from the battlefield, yet simultaneously a transcendent understanding of the entire situation, filled his heart.

At this moment, in Yuan Yueze's mind, it seemed as if only he and Song Que existed in the world, and he was beginning to enter a subtle realm of understanding Song Que's spirit and knowing his enemy as he deepened his perception of Song Que's spiritual power. Through this profound connection and reaction, he could also, in turn, grasp the changes in Song Que's mind.

A spiritual bridge had been built between the two.

Seeing Yuan Yueze gradually merge with heaven and earth as his breathing became lighter, Song Que's eyes flashed with surprise, followed by a hint of joy and appreciation. Seemingly sensing through telepathy that Yuan Yueze would perform even more powerfully, Song Que gripped his longsword in a reverse grip, placed his hands behind his back, and stared at Yuan Yueze with a grave expression.

The onlookers, except for Yuan Yueze's wives, were greatly alarmed as they watched Yuan Yueze's figure begin to fade, gradually merging into the surrounding world. Even with Song Zhi and Song Lu's abilities, they sensed that under their aura probing, even Yuan Yueze's spiritual power was gradually weakening.

Song Yuzhi's face was strange; she subconsciously rubbed her beautiful eyes, shook her head, and looked again, only to see that ninety percent of Yuan Yueze's figure and aura had disappeared!

How could this be!

Song Que's expression turned to shock as he murmured, "Sword... Sword Heart Clarity!"

His voice wasn't loud, but everyone heard him. Yuan Yueze also opened his eyes, waking from his reverie, and laughed, "Court Master, have you misjudged me?"

Everyone was somewhat surprised by Song Que's words, but Song Que first nodded, then shook his head, saying, "Brother Yuan, this technique is four or five parts similar to the highest level of Sword Heart Clarity in the 'Compassionate Sword Manual,' one of the four great books I know. But I'm certain you haven't learned the 'Compassionate Sword Manual.'"

Yuan Yueze's figure was no longer blurry, and he laughed loudly, "This is a technique I comprehended myself, how could it be the 'Compassionate Sword Manual'?"

Then Yuan Yueze roughly guessed that his spiritual realm must have begun to merge with heaven and earth, even the universe, which was why Song Que had said those words. Presumably, the highest level of Sword Heart Clarity was just like that.

The Tao gives birth to One, One gives birth to Two, Two gives birth to Three, Three gives birth to all things.

The Great Dao ultimately leads to the same goal, and all martial arts under heaven, though different, naturally converge on the same path.

Song Que, a master of martial arts, was certainly aware of this, yet he still admired Yuan Yueze's ability to comprehend such a profound understanding of the Dao.

Most masters in the world, like Song Que, experience worldly trials before returning to their true nature, ultimately achieving enlightenment

through their own understanding of the Dao. Yuan Yueze, however, was the complete opposite; he first comprehended the Dao before entering the world. In this way, he avoided the arduous path of "returning to one's true nature," a path many fail to traverse.

Seeing the peaceful and serene aura emanating from Yuan Yueze, Song Que laughed, "It's not that I underestimate you, but given your current state, I fear you might die at my hands!"

Despite uttering murderous words in jest, Yuan Yueze and his wives remained unfazed, while Song Yuzhi appeared somewhat tense.

Yuan Yueze said calmly, "I suppose it's because my mindset is too peaceful, while the clan leader's swordsmanship is honed on the battlefield. Once a sword strike is unleashed, it's a fight to the death!"

Song Que was taken aback, then sighed, "Indeed, as you say, my swordsmanship is a killing technique honed through countless battles, large and small. It's either you die or I die. Although there may be no life-or-death struggle or victory and defeat in the process, the outcome is inevitable. If Brother Yuan doesn't have the determination to kill me, you will surely die in this battle."

Yuan Yueze smiled faintly and said nothing more, only extending his palm in a "please" gesture.

Through the sensing of their auras, Song Que noticed the barely suppressed excitement in Yuan Yueze's heart. He smiled slightly, took a step forward, and his immense aura surged forth like a wild wave rising from the sky and the earth. With his firm and powerful steps, carrying a strong sword aura, he swept towards Yuan Yueze.

The two were several feet apart, but Song Que only took one step, and his figure was already in front of Yuan Yueze. The scene was truly bizarre.

Song Que's thick-backed longsword pierced through the air, displaying a myriad of wondrous forms that constantly shifted within a space of about ten feet. Each change was so clear and distinct, as if his intentions were written out with his blade. Most deadly of all, each change seemed to render any carefully planned countermeasure futile, instilling a sense of utter dejection and the realization that all previous efforts had been in vain.

His swordsmanship had reached its pinnacle, a state of divine mastery.

Yuan Yueze remained motionless, a glint of light flashing in his eyes. His "mind's eye" detected this seemingly simple yet incredibly dangerous sword move.

A slight smile played on his lips as Yuan Yueze met the attack with his right-hand sword. The space traversed by the sword was no longer concave like in the punch he delivered in Chengdu, and the surrounding air was no longer repelled. Instead, the trajectory behind the blade seemed to create a vacuum, as if the surrounding air had been forcibly sucked away by the sword.

"Clang!"

The ever-changing sword shadow finally vanished, colliding with Yuan Yueze's sword.

This was merely a test move between the two.

Song Que stood still, while Yuan Yueze retreated three steps.

Yuan Yueze was not only at a disadvantage in terms of skill, but also utterly lacking in experience! This was precisely why he was currently inferior to Song Que.

Without pausing after their initial clash, Song Que took another step forward, producing a "whoosh" sound. The onlookers, including Yuan Yueze, felt the ground seem to shake. Following his movement, a horizontal slash of his blade, devoid of any fancy flourishes, aimed directly at Yuan Yueze's waist.

Yuan Yueze clearly sensed that Song Que's seemingly ordinary strike was actually a masterful feat, capable of transforming the ordinary into the extraordinary. Aside from blocking, there was no other way to counter it. However, he knew his own limitations; he had only practiced martial arts and had never learned any specific techniques. Suddenly, a strange smile appeared on his face.

Seeing Yuan Yueze's swordplay constantly shifting to meet his own strike, Song Que was stunned. This was clearly the same move Song Que had just used, but Yuan Yueze had incorporated the blade technique into his swordplay, combining lightness and elegance with fierce power, giving it a strange feel.

"Clang!"

After this clash, both men stood motionless.

Song Que made two moves in quick succession, then nodded and smiled, "What a clever move! The sword's intent is contained within its swordplay; it's truly impressive!"

Yuan Yueze felt a surge of exhilaration and laughed, "Please don't blame me, Lord. I've always focused on practicing martial arts, never studying techniques. So I hastily copied your sword intent without understanding it, and I'm sorry for the poor performance."

Song Que exclaimed in surprise, "So, Brother Yuan has only studied martial arts! But that move was truly admirable; your talent is remarkable! But where did your first sword strike come from?"

Yuan Yueze's second sword strike was based on Song Que's first sword strike, but in Song Que's view, Yuan Yueze's first sword strike was equally extraordinary, possessing the power of nature and far from simple.

Upon hearing Song Que's question, Yuan Yueze tried to recall his first sword strike, but found his memory very vague. He could only shake his head and say, "I don't know, it was entirely a natural feeling from within."

Song Que smiled and said, "That is the essence of body and mind, the culmination of all your past hard training and combat experience. The mind is still, but the spirit desires to move, transcending thought. However, if one can only do it occasionally, one is not worthy of being called a master. Only when every move and every stance is a fusion of spirit and mind can the swordsmanship be done at will."

Yuan Yueze asked curiously, "To be precise, this is the first time I've truly fought someone, and I have no prior combat experience." Moreover, what the clan leader spoke of was the outline of swordsmanship, while I, Yuan, prefer to use a sword.

Song Que's expression was initially puzzled, but then he smiled and said, "I guess that perhaps Brother Yuan's cultivation allows him to connect with the energy of heaven and earth, thus enabling him to forge a different path in his physical and mental abilities. As for swordsmanship and saber techniques, there is actually no difference; the differences are only external, while the underlying principles are the same. Someone as profoundly versed in the principles of nature as Brother Yuan should understand the meaning of my words."

Yuan Yueze pondered for a long time, then looked up and said, "Thank you for your guidance, clan leader. Please take my move!" As

soon as he finished speaking, his figure flashed, and he had already appeared before Song Que like a ghost.

The onlookers were shocked.

Not only were Yuan Yueze's clothes moving without wind and his long hair dancing backwards, but even his entire right arm seemed to have completely disappeared. Only flickering, blinding points of cold light burst forth, and his movement trajectory was as exquisite as a heavenly horse soaring through the sky, enveloping Song Que like mercury spilling onto the ground.

This move, also gleaned from Song Que's first strike, was entirely different in style, its destructive power increased several times over.

To outsiders, Yuan Yueze's move might seem ordinary, but Song Que, caught in the moment, saw it differently. While Yuan Yueze's mental cultivation was indeed inferior, the completely absorbed Yuan Yueze at this moment possessed a body, mind, and spirit comparable to Song Que, even grasping the missing element of "skill" on the spot. Therefore, Song Que clearly perceived the natural fluidity and seamless execution of this move.

In an instant, Song Que seemed to merge with the world, slowly raising his sword with both hands, his movements remaining perfectly stable, every inch of movement maintaining the same, balanced speed.

This was simply impossible. Maintaining a relatively constant speed in one's movements is already extremely rare.

Every action is composed of countless interconnected movements, each with its own degree of speed and intensity. The series of movements that made up Song Que's sword-wielding technique, each one a perfect replica of the previous one, was itself an unbelievable miracle!

Only those with profound cultivation could discern its subtlety. Judging from the expressions of the onlookers, only Shan Meixian understood the profound truth contained within Song Que's seemingly simple movements.

Yuan Yueze's fluid and unpredictable attack came crashing down, and Song Que's strange movements perfectly aligned with it, raising his longsword once, twice, three times… Those around him felt that after slowly raising his sword, Song Que's movements became increasingly unclear, but the clanging of weapons told the onlookers that Song Que had parried all of Yuan Yueze's numerous sword strikes. In the

blink of an eye, the two had exchanged dozens of blows.

With their moves exhausted, Yuan Yueze's attack suddenly changed after their final clash.

His longsword, blocked, was retracted and then unleashed again, shooting towards Song Que's chest like a bolt of lightning. The force of the sword, like a thunderbolt, seemed capable of piercing the heavens and splitting the earth! To Song Que and the onlookers, however, it appeared utterly bizarre. This sword strike, far from its initial momentum, was extremely still, seemingly freezing the surrounding space within a ten-foot radius!

Shan Meixian inwardly admired her husband; his strange moves were endless—breaking through space, absorbing space, freezing space—all sorts of techniques, truly impressive.

The spatial freezing was merely a mental illusion. With Song Que's high cultivation, he certainly wouldn't fall for it.

A faint smile played on his lips, and Song Que's eyes flashed with a sharp light as he countered with a backhand strike.

This strike can only be described as incredibly fast. Occurring at a speed barely perceptible to the naked eye, the blade's intent transformed into a lightning-fast rainbow, slicing through the space solidified by Yuan Yueze's swordplay. All the surrounding air currents and life force seemed to be sucked away by Song Que's earth-shattering strike, leaving behind a terrifying atmosphere of utter desolation, death, and chilling dread.

The tables had turned!

"Boom!"

The force surged and rippled, causing both men to stagger back as if electrocuted.

Song Que's retreat was preparation for his next move, while Yuan Yueze was clearly thrown back by the impact.

While Yuan Yueze was still retreating, Song Que suddenly spun around, his longsword sweeping across Yuan Yueze with an unremarkable motion.

This strike seemed utterly ordinary, yet its slowness was illogical. Yuan Yueze, however, clearly understood that Song Que's strike embodied speed within slowness, a masterful feat of seemingly clumsy skill. Though no change was apparent, a thousand variations were contained within it, as boundless as the universe itself.

Completely immersed in his swordsmanship, Yuan Yueze's swordplay surged once more, bringing over the intent of Song Que's first strike. With ever-changing movements, seemingly advancing and retreating, rising and falling, at unpredictable angles, he met Song Que's flawless, unrestrained strike.

"Clang!"

The blade struck the sword tip, producing a low yet piercing sound that could be heard for half a mile. The people in the mountain town outside, unaware of the reason, thought it was just thunder in a clear sky!

Dust and sand swirled around the two fighters. After the clash of their weapons, their figures separated again, both unable to maintain their stances and forced to retreat.

Song and Yuan, having finished their attacks, faced each other from afar. The domineering aura of their swords and blades lingered, permeating the entire space. Both were pale; Song's corner was bleeding, yet he remained steadfast. Yuan Yueze's clothes were disheveled, blood dripping from his nostrils, and a noticeable wound on his chest—the skin wasn't broken, only spurted by the powerful sword energy.

Yuan Yueze had gained immensely from this battle; his martial arts experience had undergone a qualitative leap, from nothing to something extraordinary.

"Exhilarating! Exhilarating! I never imagined a duel could be so exhilarating!"

Yuan Yueze wiped away the blood, shouting excitedly, like a child discovering something new and wondrous.

"Then please, Brother Yuan, bestow another move!"

Song Que's same arrogance remained undiminished.

Yuan Yueze had no other moves left, relying solely on what he had learned on the spot. Having reached a state of complete absorption, his mental strength was in no way inferior to Song Que's. Every movement was flawless, perfectly natural. His figure flashed, seemingly ordinary yet infinitely varied, his seemingly slow but actually swift sword strike aimed directly at Song Que.

From the moment Yuan Yueze drew his sword, the onlookers only felt that Yuan Yueze hadn't moved an inch, yet his figure was already before Song Que's eyes. That illusion of distance was simply unbelievable.

Song Que's gaze was grave. He had noticed the ring of energy gathering at the tip of Yuan Yueze's sword, a slight tremor. This energy was precisely a combination of Yuan Yueze's own power and the air around the path the sword had drawn. The lightning-fast sword strike suddenly slowed halfway through its trajectory, even Song Que felt an unbearable pressure from this strange aura.

It was merely a small ripple in his mind; Song Que instantly regained his composure. The moment Yuan Yueze's sword momentum slowed, Song Que acted as he pleased, his moves flowing effortlessly. He gripped his blade with both hands and slashed down with lightning speed towards Yuan Yueze's head.

The crowd's expressions changed drastically, for Song Que's strike already exuded unparalleled killing intent, and the heavy stench of blood was palpable. Yuan Yueze's sword was aimed at Song Que's left shoulder, while Song Que's blade was aimed at Yuan Yueze's crown. This was bound to result in mutual destruction, or perhaps, due to the different locations of the wounds, Yuan Yueze might very well die by Song Que's blade!

No one knew Song Que better than the Song family; his blade was always fearless and reckless. But the strength of Yuan Yueze before them was equally formidable. Just the fact that he could force Song Que to this point showed that this young man was no ordinary person!

"No!"

Several women in the crowd almost simultaneously covered their mouths with their hands, crying out in unison.

But it was too late. In a flash, the tip of Yuan Yueze's sword, which held almost all his power, shone brightly and exploded, transforming into countless beams of light that shot out in all directions!

Although they knew these intangible beams of light wouldn't harm anyone, the onlookers still looked away.

"Clang!"

In the blink of an eye, a loud crash echoed through the arena as the light burst

forth. Looking back at the arena, everyone saw the two facing each other. Song Que's blade was striking Yuan Yueze's right shoulder, while the tip of Yuan Yueze's sword was stopped an inch in front of Song Que's left shoulder.

"Pfft!"

Both men coughed up blood almost simultaneously and fell backward.

Wiping away the blood, Song Que, pale-faced, sat cross-legged a few feet away from Yuan Yueze, giving a bitter smile: "Why did you stop, Brother Yuan?"

Yuan Yueze also had blood on his mouth and nose, but his body was clearly stronger than Song Que's, so he wasn't in much pain. Seeing Song Que's humane reaction, he also sat up and said with a smile: "Clan leader, there's no need to feel guilty. Your sword is from the battlefield, a sword for killing, charging forward without hesitation, risking one's life—that's the true 'Heavenly Sword' of martial arts. Besides, I'm already extremely grateful that you deviated from your original trajectory at the end. My body is a bit different, but if I had injured the clan leader, I would have needed a long time to recuperate."

He had been immersed in martial arts, enjoying the exhilaration of the competition, reaching a state of 'forgetting oneself and the world.' Suddenly hearing Shan Meixian's delicate cry, he abruptly came to his senses, stopped his sword strike, and dissipated his true energy.

Yuan Yueze had already noticed that Song Que was trying his best to change the trajectory of his sword and to restrain the true energy gathered on it. However, the damage from Song Que's strike was also considerable. Looking at the deep gash on his shoulder, which hadn't broken the skin but was still there, Yuan Yueze became even more wary. His body was only slightly taller than an ordinary person; it wasn't a true indestructible body.

Song Que chuckled: "You call this special? If my strike had hit Ning Daoqi, he would have lost an arm!"

Yuan Yueze laughed. Of course, he couldn't reveal his origins, so he casually said, "The clan leader's injuries are quite severe. Please rest for a while."

Song Que knew his condition all too well, so he nodded, closed his eyes, and slowly began to regulate his breathing.

Chapter 014 The Demonic Sect's Dark Empress

"Father!"

Everyone was shocked by what they had just witnessed. It took them a while to recover. Seeing Song Que sitting motionless on the ground, Song Yuzhi cried out in alarm and rushed towards him. Seeing this, the other three members of the Song family assumed something had happened to Song Que and rushed over with Song Yuzhi.

"No! Miss Song, you mustn't touch the Clan Head! He's calming his inner energy; he'll recover soon!"

Shan Meixian and the other women had already rushed forward to massage Yuan Yueze. Although they knew he was exceptionally strong, they hadn't witnessed it firsthand and were still worried. After comforting the women for a few moments, Yuan Yueze saw Song Yuzhi rushing to hug Song Que and quickly stopped her.

Shan Meixian and Wei Zhenzhen, seeing the wounds on Yuan Yueze's shoulders and chest, looked even more worried. They clearly realized that, given their current physical condition, they weren't truly immortal.

Upon hearing this, Song Yuzhi immediately stopped, giving Yuan Yueze a complicated look before turning her gaze back to Song Que. After hearing Yuan Yueze say that Song Que was unharmed, Song Zhi and the other two stood beside Song Que to protect him.

After a short while, Yuan Yueze felt that his body had almost recovered. Although the knife wound was still there, it had not greatly affected his internal organs. He and the women gathered around and saw that after an incense stick's time, Song Que was still motionless, and even his breathing had become somewhat weak. Yuan Yueze frowned, quickly went to Song Que's side, whispered a few words in his ear, and then returned to his original position.

Song Zhi and the others were at a loss when they saw that Song Que seemed to be in bad shape, but after Yuan Yueze went over and whispered a few words, Song Que's breathing began to stabilize again.

Then, after sitting upright for less than half a cup of tea's time, Song Que had recovered. He stood up, and his face was rosy, and he seemed to have become several years younger, full of vitality. After comforting the bewildered Song family members with a few words, Song Que said, "I have experienced much in my life, but none of it seems as real as meeting Brother Yuan today. Brother Yuan and your wife, would you mind coming to my Mingyue Tower for a drink and some conversation?"

"Then I'll trouble you, Master and all of you! Please!"

Yuan Yueze smiled in return.

Led by Song Que, Yuan Yueze and the others followed him toward the distant pavilion.

Along the way, the Song family members were puzzled by Song Que's drastic change after Yuan Yueze's few whispered words. They wanted to ask, but Song Que's disapproving look made them swallow their words.

With Shan Meixian's abilities, she naturally heard Yuan Yueze's "whispered words" clearly, so there was no need to ask.

Along the way, only the women chatted casually, while the men remained silent. Suddenly, Yuan Yueze felt someone gently tugging at him. Turning his head, he saw it was Shan Wanjing.

Yuan Yueze looked at her and asked what was wrong. Shan Wanjing leaned close to her ear and said, "Husband, we want to eat what you make. We don't like the food outside."

Yuan Yueze suddenly realized, lightly tapping Shan Wanjing's head a few times with his middle finger knuckle, then turned to Song Que and said, "Clan leader, my family is used to my tastes. May we use the kitchen?"

His words were utterly rude. For the four great clans to be unable to eat their food and have to cook for themselves would be a disgrace to the Song clan. However, the Song family members were broad-minded and attracted by Yuan Yueze's unrestrained spirit, so they didn't show any displeasure.

Song Que smiled and said, "Oh? Brother Yuan is also skilled in cooking? In that case, Shidao, go and send those chefs from Mingyue Tower back to rest. They must not approach the kitchen."

Yuan Yueze thanked him, and Song Shidao quickly disappeared.

Song Yuzhi's face showed a mixture of surprise and resentment: surprise because the martial arts of this legendary young master, who had been the talk of the martial world, were unimaginably high, and he seemed only a year or two older than her. And today, he actually said he would cook himself! How many more secrets does he still hold that no one has discovered?

Although Yuan Yueze and his companions disappeared after the rumor of 'ascending to immortality' spread, and the gossip about them lessened somewhat, many in the martial arts world were still very interested in him.

What was unacceptable was that even the chef hired by the prestigious Song Clan couldn't meet his standards—wasn't that too arrogant? "I'll test your skills today!"

Song Yuzhi thought to herself.

A little while later, the group returned to the now empty Mingyue Tower and sat down to rest. At Wei Zhenzhen's request, Yuan Yueze also gave her her first "practice." Half an hour later, a table full of fragrant dishes was laid out to the astonishment of the Song family. Sixteen dishes, each with excellent color, aroma, and taste. Song Yuzhi no longer doubted Yuan Yueze's skills, because even before taking a bite, just by looking at the taste and color, she knew that even the best chef in the mountain city couldn't make such dishes.

After everyone was seated, Song Shidao was about to pour wine for everyone when Yuan Yueze quickly stopped him, saying, "Brother Shidao, please wait. Today, I, Yuan, gained a great deal from my battle with the clan leader. Please, have a taste of my wine as a token of my gratitude."

With that, he flicked his wrist, and to the astonishment of the Song clan members, several bottles of baijiu and red wine appeared on his flat palm.

The men poured themselves the fragrant and mellow baijiu, while the women poured red wine. Yuan Yueze raised his glass and said, "Today, I came uninvited and had the opportunity to fight the clan leader, gaining much from the battle. To express my gratitude, I offer this table of food and wine to convey my appreciation for your hospitality and for the battle with the clan leader." "

Brother Yuan is truly unfathomable. Today's battle was one I had been anticipating for thirty years, and the gains were considerable. I, too, will drink this cup to show my respect!"

Song Que said, then downed his drink in one gulp.

Everyone started eating, praising the fine wine and the cooking skills of Yuan Yueze and Wei Zhenzhen.

Originally, when Yuan Yueze went to the kitchen, he was assigned a seat with Song Que on his left and Shan Meixian on his right. However, Song Yuzhi insisted on staying with Song Que, constantly whining, so she switched places with him. Just now, she saw Yuan Yueze conjure several bottles of wine out of thin air, and the red wine tasted indescribably delicious.

Song Yuzhi's curiosity grew stronger. She took a sip and asked Yuan Yueze, "Young Master Yuan, where did you get all this wine from? And where did your sword go outside?"

"This… I'm sorry, I cannot tell you,"

Yuan Yueze stammered.

"You stingy little devil, let me see where you hid it!"

Song Yuzhi said, reaching out her delicate hands to grope Yuan Yueze.

"Miss Song… Miss Song, please stop! It tickles!"

Yuan Yueze said, trying to suppress a laugh.

"Oh!"

Song Yuzhi finally realized what was happening. Turning around, she saw everyone at the table staring at her. She gasped softly, withdrew her hands, and lowered her head, her face flushed red.

Yuan Yueze, feeling sorry for her embarrassment, said, "It's not something that can be explained in a short time. We can tell Miss Song about it later."

Shan Meixian quickly chimed in to change the subject, and with Shan Wanjing and Shan Ruyin adding their own jokes, the atmosphere became lively again.

After drinking another cup, Song Que said to Yuan Yueze with a half-smile, "If we were to fight now, Brother Yuan, you would be no match for me."

Yuan Yueze asked curiously, "Then why is that?"

Song Que sighed, "Brother Yuan's comprehension is exceptionally high. Just look at how you grasped the sword intent from my first strike. But you are quite different now compared to when you fought me."

Shan Meixian thoughtfully interjected, "Does the Clan Head mean that my husband's state of mind is not stable?"

Song Que nodded, "Just as you said, Brother Yuan can easily reach that state of 'selflessness,' which can compensate for the gap in 'spiritual' cultivation. However, there is still a gap between you and me, who can maintain a state of mind at will."

Song Que's insight was astute; he had long seen Yuan Yueze's strengths and weaknesses and offered his advice.

This was precisely the drawback of Yuan Yueze's lack of worldly experience. The body intent and sword techniques he had just comprehended during his sparring with Song Que were now a blur in his mind. This was something that would never happen to a normal person. He nodded and said, "What the clan leader says makes sense. Thank you."

Song Que quickly smiled and shook his head.

The Song family enjoyed the meal immensely. Afterwards, Song Que had Song Yuzhi take Yuan Yueze and the others back to her "Listening to the Waves Cottage," temporarily entrusting other matters to Song Zhi, Song Lu, and Song Shidao, while he returned alone to the "Sharpening Knife Hall" to meditate.

Led by Song Yuzhi, Yuan Yueze and his companions arrived at a pavilion. The railings, crafted from superior white marble and imbued with the patina of herbs and flowers, possessed a simple yet serene elegance. The pavilion itself, entirely of black jade, was adorned with exquisite carvings. The furniture within was made of various rare woods, emitting a subtle, natural fragrance that soothed the soul. A platform, resembling an arm, was decorated with blooming flowers, bathed in the misty spray rising from the cascading waterfall, creating a scene of captivating beauty. The group couldn't help but nod in admiration.

However, since the rooms in "Listening to the Waves Pavilion" were all single rooms, Yuan Yueze, accustomed to sleeping with several women every night, was quite dissatisfied. Seeing Yuan Yueze's expression, Shan Meixian immediately understood his thoughts. Her face flushed, and she took his hand, whispering a few words in his ear. Yuan Yueze nodded but said nothing more.

Afterwards, the group settled in. The servants had long been dismissed by Song Yuzhi, and the women, including Shan Meixian, were used to serving themselves, so they felt no discomfort. This greatly surprised Song Yuzhi, who thought that Yuan Yueze's several ethereal wives should be waited on hand and foot, not that they did everything themselves. While Song

Que meditated in the "Sharpening Hall," Yuan Yueze also meditated in his room for five days and five nights.

This battle had sparked a deep interest in martial arts. The free and unrestrained family life was what Yuan Yueze loved most, and secondly, the feeling of being immersed in martial arts was equally captivating.

Reflecting on the techniques he had grasped during his fight with Song Que, Yuan Yueze's mind was hazy; the vague, indistinct thoughts tormented him. Ultimately, after five days of meditation with little progress, he realized that such things couldn't be achieved overnight and finally gave up.

In the following days, she strolled and played with the girls, enjoying herself. Gradually, some of the servants in the Song family learned that there were some strange guests in the young lady's small residence. Some people who had seen them from afar said that the guests seemed to be distant relatives of the lord of the clan and had frightening appearances. So, everyone stopped paying attention to the matter.

Every day, Song Yuzhi would visit Shang Xiuxun and the other girls, ostensibly discussing girlish topics, but in reality, she was constantly trying to find out everything about Yuan Yueze. Whenever she heard about Yuan Yueze, her beautiful eyes would immediately light up with eager anticipation.

Shan Meixian and Wei Zhenzhen, of course, saw this clearly: their husbands were likely facing another "fateful encounter." However, Shan Meixian hesitated: she knew that if Yuan Yueze and Song Yuzhi were to be together, their previously carefree life would be disrupted. Although Yuan Yueze could choose not to help the Song clan, they were still Song Yuzhi's family, and he would have to contribute in some way.

Thirteen days after the battle between Yuan Yueze and Song Que, Song Que emerged from the "Sharpening Hall." At this moment, Song Que appeared devoid of any sharpness; even his eyes were no different from those of an ordinary person. But Yuan Yueze, the other girls, Song Zhi, and Song Lu knew that the "Heavenly Blade" had now reached a state of returning to its original simplicity. After lingering for ten years at the level of "the sword is me, and I am the sword; sword and I are one," the "Heavenly Sword" finally broke through to the realm of "having the sword yet forgetting the sword, having no sword yet having no self, having both sword and self forgotten"—a state countless martial artists dream of.

Afterwards, thirty miles west of Song Family Mountain City, Yuan Yueze and Song Que sparred again. The result was known only to the same few onlookers as before.

Upon returning to the mountain city after the duel, Song Que and Yuan Yueze showed no signs of fighting, as if they had simply gone for a stroll, continuing with their own affairs.

Some in the mountain city recognized the ugly man who returned with the master as the one living in Miss's Abode. Thus, during their leisure time, the people of the mountain city couldn't help but speculate about the ugly man's identity.

The following evening, Yuan Yueze bid farewell to Song Que. Seeing that they couldn't persuade him to stay, the Song family decided to have one last farewell drink together.

The banquet was held in the living room of "Listening to the Waves Abode." The atmosphere was cheerful, and Yuan Yueze and the women drank heartily, finding great pleasure in getting completely drunk. Shang Xiuxun, however, wasn't feeling well and went back to rest midway through. Eventually, Shan Meixian and the other women all passed out, and Song Que was also so happy he was completely drunk. In the end, only Yuan Yueze, Song Lu, and Song Yuzhi, who had been drinking juice, remained somewhat conscious at the table. After another half-jin of strong liquor, Yuan Yueze and Song Lu were too weak to continue and collapsed, feeling dizzy.

The next day, Yuan Yueze opened his eyes, his head still a little groggy. He quickly recited the "Concentration Technique," circulating his inner energy throughout his body, and instantly regained his vitality. He shook his head and looked around. To his left was Wei Zhenzhen, completely naked. Her smooth, jade-like body exuded a faint ethereal charm, her face still flushed, a sweet smile on her lips, curled up beside Yuan Yueze like a cute kitten.

Turning his gaze to his right, Yuan Yueze revealed an unprecedented look of surprise, exclaiming in a trembling voice, "Oh my god, what... what have I done?"

To Yuan Yueze's right was none other than Song Yuzhi, the young lady of the Song family, curled up in his arms like an adorable kitten. Two clear tear tracks were visible on her fair face. It was hard to tell whether they were tears of pain or tears of happiness, but her expression was one of extraordinary bliss.

Lifting the blanket, the scattered bloodstains on the sheets revealed that Yuan Yueze had unintentionally taken the virginity of this young lady of the Song family, the object of countless men's dreams in Songjia Mountain City, the previous night. There were even a few faint bruises on Song Yuzhi's fair, jade-like body. Yuan Yueze tried to recall the events of the previous night, but had no recollection whatsoever. This was the first time in his life he had been drunk, and who knew he would commit such a grave mistake while intoxicated.

"Am I even human? This is the behavior of a beast! How am I supposed to explain this to that young lady?"

Yuan Yueze slapped his forehead hard, muttering to himself in shame.

"I don't know what Miss Song thinks of me or what her feelings are. Since I'm the one who caused this, to try and make excuses would truly be beastly. The only thing I can do is propose to Song Que and make sure she lives a happier life than anyone else!"

Yuan Yueze continued, looking at Song Yuzhi's exquisite face.

Actually, he didn't notice that when Yuan Yueze lifted the covers, Song Yuzhi's long eyelashes trembled slightly; she had clearly woken up early, just pretending to sleep.

Song Yuzhi, however, was overjoyed. From the moment she heard about this extraordinary man months ago, she had been deeply intrigued. When she finally saw him in person half a month ago, she found his appearance, temperament, and charm to be even more outstanding than her exceptional second brother. Song Yuzhi was instantly smitten. Afterwards, she witnessed this man, using a sword technique he had spontaneously learned from his father's saber-sword style, directly challenge her father, whom she had considered invincible for over a decade. Although it appeared to be a draw, Song Yuzhi realized Yuan Yueze's strength was extraordinary, as evidenced by his reluctance to kill her and his survival after taking a blow from Song Que. Witnessing their second duel further fueled her infatuation with Yuan Yueze, leaving her deeply captivated.

Last night, hearing of his impending departure, Song Yuzhi felt a pang of sorrow. His wives were all stunningly beautiful, gentle, and lively, making her envious. She felt inferior to them. All Song Yuzhi could do was carefully observe this extraordinary man before he left, imprinting his entire image in her heart. However, she had been too

excited last night; even her usually composed uncle, who boasted of his drinking prowess, could only manage a draw with Yuan Yueze. Afterwards, everyone passed out drunk, except for Song Yuzhi, who was the only one sober. She escorted Song Que and the others to the door, then called servants to take them back to their rooms. She herself first helped the women to bed, and finally helped Yuan Yueze and Wei Zhenzhen to bed. Sitting on the edge of the bed, Song Yuzhi gazed intently at this incredibly charming man, whose martial arts were superb, whose culinary skills were exceptional, and who seemed to hold countless secrets. She

only wanted to stay here quietly watching him for one night, until he left the next day. Smelling the alcohol on the man, Song Yuzhi blushed and felt hot as she slowly helped him remove his clothes. Seeing his muscular, masculine physique, Song Yuzhi was once again mesmerized. She couldn't resist gently touching it. Unexpectedly, the man grabbed her and pressed his alcohol-smelling lips against hers. His hateful tongue pried open her teeth and swirled wildly inside her mouth. Song Yuzhi had never experienced anything like this before. With a soft "ooh," she lost all strength, lost in the passionate kiss. A cool sensation swept over her, bringing her slightly back to her senses. She realized her chest was exposed to the air, the two rosy nipples of her two erect breasts being held in the man's mouth. Song Yuzhi felt a surge of heat rushing down her body, and she could feel the heat emanating from the man's genitals, causing her to uncontrollably emit lewd sounds, once again lost in the masculine energy.

A moment later, her body felt as if it were being torn apart, as if her tender parts were being "attacked." Song Yuzhi groaned in pain, clenching her teeth tightly, two streams of tears mixed with pleasure flowing down her face. After a moment of pain, Song Yuzhi felt her body begin to float, an unprecedented feeling of pleasure flowing through her entire body like an electric current. Song Yuzhi could hear the wanton sounds emanating from her mouth, feeling a little ashamed, yet unable to resist. Gradually, she became completely lost in the moment. After only half an incense stick's time, the electric current flowing through her body accelerated, and Song Yuzhi felt as if she were floating on clouds. Her whole body trembled uncontrollably, arching her back forcefully, her hands tightly gripping the man's back, her nails even digging into his muscles.

With

a long moan, Song Yuzhi felt so comfortable that she would gladly die.

But the man didn't stop, continuing his vigorous assault. Gradually, Song Yuzhi lost herself again. When the blissful, cloud-like feeling returned, Song Yuzhi had no strength left. But the man still didn't stop. In her dazed state, Song Yuzhi thought she might really die here…

Fortunately, Wei Zhenzhen, who was beside her, was also attracted by the sounds of their intense "battle" after drinking, and passionately joined in, only then did the man release her. Song Yuzhi let out a slow breath, utterly exhausted. As she slowly regained consciousness, she didn't know how to face the other person the next day, nor how to face her father and family.

Born into a powerful family in this era, young ladies rarely had any say in their marriages. The man before her was indeed a rare talent, unmatched in the world. However, after half a month of interaction, Song Yuzhi understood that this man had absolutely no interest in the power struggles of the world. How could she face her father then? No matter how much her father doted on her, she couldn't abandon the family's responsibilities.

Song Yuzhi's mind raced. She was a woman outwardly strong but inwardly gentle, and now, having lost her virginity to him in her drunken state, she didn't know how he would treat her, nor how she could face her family. The more she thought about it, the more troubled she became. Her fatigue gradually disappeared, and she was drawn in by the surrounding events and the alluring voice, her passion igniting once more, leading to a third encounter…

When she woke up in the morning, Song Yuzhi found her lower body a mess. Looking at the scattered bloodstains, she felt both ashamed and worried. Not knowing how to face the two people in bed, Song Yuzhi tried to get up, but the movement aggravated her wound, causing her to wince in pain. She could only feign sleep to see how Yuan Yueze would react upon waking. To her surprise, Yuan Yueze

awoke filled with remorse. Hearing this, Song Yuzhi was overjoyed, realizing this man was not a heartless person. Hearing him say he would take all the blame, all her worries vanished.

Yuan Yueze stared blankly at Song Yuzhi's body, which remained unchanged yet still alluring, realizing he hadn't transferred his life essence to her the previous night. Having understood that he had to take responsibility, Yuan Yueze faced the situation with equanimity. At least "Heavenly Blade" wouldn't force him to interfere in their affairs; he only needed to lend a helping hand in times of crisis. Having figured this out, Yuan Yueze calmed down and carefully observed Song Yuzhi beside him. The allure of a young girl experiencing her first love still captivated him.

Seeing that Song Yuzhi's face was flushed and her eyelashes were trembling slightly, Yuan Yueze knew she must have been awake for a while. He then pulled her into his arms

, asking, "Yuzhi, are you still pretending to be asleep?" The sudden embrace aggravated Song Yuzhi's wound, causing her to cry out in pain. She opened her beautiful eyes, glanced at Yuan Yueze, and then lowered her head shyly, nestled against his chest.

Yuan Yueze, seeing Song Yuzhi's cry of pain, knew it was caused by his unrestrained demands the previous night, and felt a pang of guilt. "Don't be afraid, Yuzhi, look!"

he said, gently stroking her pubic hair. Gathering his inner strength, Song Yuzhi's pain gradually subsided. She glanced shyly at Yuan Yueze and whispered, "Thank you, young master."

"What did Yuzhi call me?"

Yuan Yueze gently stroked Song Yuzhi's smooth cheek and chuckled.

"My...my...my...husband," Song Yuzhi murmured, her head buried in Yuan Yueze's chest, finally managing to utter two words after a long pause.

“Zhizhi, I’m so sorry for what I did to you last night. I was drunk and did such a thing. I don’t know how you feel about me, but I want to tell you that I will go and explain to your father in a little while. I will marry you no matter what and make you happy for the rest of your life. You don’t need to worry about anything, leave everything to me.”

“Thank you, my husband! I was attracted to you the moment I first saw you, but all my sisters are so much better than me, so I didn’t dare to ask for anything. I could only keep my feelings to myself. Now that I have given myself to you, I have never been so happy. Please don’t blame yourself anymore, my husband. I don’t blame you at all.”

Hearing Yuan Yueze’s heartfelt words and seeing him take all the blame, Song Yuzhi could no longer hold back her tears and sobbed softly in Yuan Yueze’s arms.

Yuan Yueze took a deep breath and slowly began to comfort Song Yuzhi. He also told her about his background, but explaining in detail would take too much time, so he would explain it to her in detail after the marriage proposal.

Song Yuzhi was already extremely surprised after hearing the gist of it. Hearing that her sisters had all gained their current allure and ethereal beauty after receiving Yuan Yueze's life essence, Song Yuzhi thought for a moment. It seemed her lover hadn't actually unleashed his power within her last night; otherwise, how could she have remained unchanged? So she begged Yuan Yueze to quickly help her refine her body, so she could give her father a big surprise.

Yuan Yueze had no choice but to "fight" again. Song Yuzhi's wounds were still there, so he had to use both his hands and mouth. Wei Zhenzhen, who was also awakened, joined in without hesitation. Finally, with Wei Zhenzhen's "participation," Yuan Yueze managed to unleash his life essence. Song Yuzhi then began her body's transformation.

Yuan Yueze and Wei Zhenzhen, fully dressed, stood guard by the bedside. At this moment, the door opened, and Shan Meixian and several other women entered.

Shan Meixian had already heard that all-too-familiar voice coming from inside as soon as she arrived, and inwardly cursed Yuan Yueze for his recklessness. They had no choice but to wait outside. The other women woke up one after another, but Shan Meixian stopped them at the door. Finally, after the noise inside stopped, Shan Meixian entered the room with the other women. Upon seeing Song Yuzhi surrounded by a ball of light, Shan Meixian and the other women were all surprised. A hint of worry flashed in Shan Meixian's eyes; her worst fears had come true, and she didn't know what to do.

After the women entered, Yuan Yueze told them everything that had happened the previous night. Shan Meixian, hearing that it was all a mistake, quickly discussed with Yuan Yueze how to deal with it. Shang Xiuxun, who had just started her period the day before and wasn't feeling well, had left the party to rest. Seeing that Song Yuzhi had gotten there first, she looked at Yuan Yueze with a resentful expression.

Yuan Yueze was no longer the clueless young man he once was. Seeing Shan Meixian's slightly worried expression, he knew what she was thinking, so he comforted her and decided to go and talk to Song Que face-to-face himself. Shan Meixian was only worried that Song Que would make things difficult for Yuan Yueze; she wasn't concerned about anything else. She thought: If Song Que wants her husband to marry into the Song family and help them, then wouldn't our comfortable life be over?

An hour later, it was almost noon, and Song Yuzhi's body refinement was finally successful. Opening her eyes, Song Yuzhi felt an unprecedented sense of comfort wash over her, and couldn't help but let out a soft sigh. At this moment, all the impurities in Song Yuzhi's body were gone, and her appearance had changed slightly, but she was even more beautiful and charming than before. Her temperament was also the same as the other women.

Shan Meixian and the other women hurriedly stepped forward to congratulate her. Song Yuzhi blushed and greeted them, then buried her head deeply in Yuan Yueze's arms, not daring to peek out again.

After lunch, Yuan Yueze took Song Yuzhi to the "Sharpening Knife Hall" to meet "Heavenly Knife." Song Que saw Yuan Yueze and his daughter enter hand in hand and seemed to understand something. Looking closer at his daughter, he was astonished. He couldn't understand what method Yuan Yueze had used to make his already beautiful daughter appear as perfect as a fairy.

Yuan Yueze then pulled Song Yuzhi to sit down and explained what had happened the previous night. He said he had been inadvertently attracted to Song Yuzhi and had done something he shouldn't have. He also said he would take responsibility for everything, so he insisted that Song Que marry his daughter to him.

Song Que already had a strange fondness for Yuan Yueze. Moreover, this young man, only twenty years old, could rival him, a man who had been famous for decades. He had also taught him a very unique incantation, allowing him to break through to the Grandmaster realm in half a month. And with each interaction with this man, it seemed as if he were discovering another secret about him.

Not wanting Song Yuzhi to be caught in the middle, Yuan Yueze first told Song Que and his daughter his entire background. The father and daughter were stunned and speechless. After speaking for a quarter of an hour, Yuan Yueze, his mouth dry, took a sip of tea and watched Song Que and his daughter slowly process what he had just said.

It took them about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn before they recovered. Song Que had always wondered why, after Yuan Yueze arrived in the mountain city, while he felt Yuan Yueze was indeed a master, he wasn't so skilled that his voice could be heard throughout the world. Hearing Yuan Yueze's explanation today, Song Que finally understood everything. He then nodded and sighed, "I never imagined there really were gods? So, breaking through the void in martial arts means going to the divine realm?"

"I'm not entirely sure about that either, but I can tell my father-in-law with certainty that breaking through the void in martial arts is merely the ultimate level of martial arts, not necessarily godhood. I speculate that after breaking through the void, one enters another space from this space. For example, this space might be dominated by humans, while the other space might be dominated by animals."

"Moreover, the rumors circulating outside about breaking through the void to become an immortal are just that—rumors. No one has actually broken through and returned to the mortal world to recount their experience,"

Yuan Yueze said.

Song Que nodded thoughtfully.

Then Yuan Yueze continued, “I know that both Father-in-law and Zhizhi bear the burden of family missions, but Father-in-law should know that I have no interest in these matters. I have dozens of pills here, each capable of restoring youth and increasing lifespan by ninety-nine eight hundred and ten years. I will give them to Father-in-law and a few people he trusts as betrothal gifts, and also as compensation for taking your daughter away!”

“After meeting Xiaoze, I was constantly pleasantly surprised, and I also knew that Zhizhi was devoted to you, and I understand your character. I certainly will not make things difficult for you. What virtue or ability do I, Song Que, possess to obtain such elixirs? My most beloved daughter has also found the best home, and I have no more desires. As for the pills Xiaoze mentioned, since this matter is of great importance, I will pass them on to my brother Zhi, brother Lu, and Shidao. What do you think?”

Song Que was a contemporary hero, how could he easily let Yuan Yueze go? But after hearing everything Yuan Yueze had said, he was too shocked, so he decided not to make things difficult for Yuan Yueze. Moreover, this son-in-law was very pleasing to the eye, and Song Que liked him from the bottom of his heart.

“That’s wonderful. Father-in-law knows I have several wives, and I love them dearly. So, if you set a wedding date, I’d like them all to be my brides, what do you think?”

Yuan Yueze asked.

“How could I possibly disagree with such a small request? You have no idea how charming you are. If you really wanted to, you could probably have all the beauties in the world within six months,”

Song Que laughed heartily.

“However, it’s a bit of a waste that you don’t use your skills to conquer the world,”

Song Que sighed again.

“Haha, so what? The people suffer when the world prospers, and the people suffer when the world falls. If the system of the world were truly like the one I live in, I could be a nominal emperor. Who wouldn’t want to do something virtuous for the people? It’s just a pity that such a system cannot be established overnight; it requires thousands of years to slowly change,”

Yuan Yueze sighed.

“Moreover, apart from the powerful force sealed in my mind and my physical abilities being beyond ordinary people, we are almost no different,”

Yuan Yueze added.

Song Que nodded, finally understanding why Yuan Yueze could withstand his powerful strike with this body.

"Little Ze, could you tell me more about your future life?"

Song Que asked eagerly.

"This… it would probably take years to explain. I have many books about future lives in this bracelet; father-in-law, take them and study them slowly,"

Yuan Yueze said, taking out a large stack of books.

Seeing how lazy the boy was, Song Que didn't press him. He went to find Song Zhi, Song Lu, and Song Shidao, and told them about Yuan Yueze's background and his marriage to Song Yuzhi.

Their hearts couldn't handle such astonishing news, and it took them a full hour to process it. Everyone was incredibly excited to hear that it would add a thousand years to their lifespan. Song Shidao was especially excited; putting aside the elixir of immortality, just the fact that his most beloved sister was now getting married was enough to make him, as her brother, happy.

In the afternoon, Yuan Yueze gave Song Que and the other three four pills, instructing them to undergo two years of seclusion to integrate them, after which they would be completely transformed.

The next day, after a secret farewell, Yuan Yueze and the women quietly left. Of course, Song Yuzhi would not leave alone at home. Song Que promised to hold a wedding for them in the mountain city after two years, and Yuan Yueze agreed.

Several days later, shocking news spread like wildfire throughout the martial arts world: Yuan Yueze, who was rumored to have "ascended to immortality" months ago, had not become an immortal, but had appeared in the Song family mountain city in Lingnan half a month ago. Song Que had even fought a great battle with Yuan Yueze and announced that he would go into seclusion for two years, after which he would hold a wedding for Yuan Yueze and the daughter of "Heavenly Blade." All forces and people in the martial arts world were once again in an uproar. Many people were trying to find out the outcome of the battle between Song Que and Yuan Yueze, but there was still no news.

After having such a relationship with Song Yuzhi, Yuan Yueze was also at ease. He could no longer hide carefree, so he revealed his true appearance to his wives. This was something he and Shan Meixian had agreed upon. Currently, opinions about them varied, and very few truly knew Yuan Yueze's true strength. At worst, Yuan Yueze could easily defeat a few masters in the martial world. Yuan Yueze and Shan Meixian were currently the strongest in their family, easily ranking among the top ten in the world. After that, no small fry would dare to provoke him. Moreover, now that his relationship with the Song Clan was established, it would be very difficult for other martial arts forces to win him over.

Amidst the buzz in the martial world, where was Yuan Yueze? It turned out that after leaving Song Family Mountain City with the women, he traveled south. He roughly calculated the time; it was now early June of the twelfth year of the Daye era, and the main event was about to begin, so Yuan Yueze planned to go and see it.

A few days after leaving the mountain city, Shan Meixian and the other girls discovered that Yuan Yueze's active space bracelet contained so many fun things. They immediately immersed themselves in them, playing swimming, video games, movies, music, and books. Eventually, they completely ignored Yuan Yueze. Seeing their enjoyment, Yuan Yueze didn't say anything; he figured it was fine to have some peace and quiet by himself.

That afternoon, Yuan Yueze traveled alone and came to a steep, towering mountain peak. There, he saw a waterfall, about ten feet high, cascading down like a jade ribbon, its waters rushing and splashing, its roar like thunder. Below the waterfall, surrounded by four jagged boulders, lay a deep pool, its bottom crystal clear, with fine pebbles like scales, forming a truly beautiful place.

Further in, they discovered a naturally formed depression in the middle of the cliff, creating a rectangular valley, like a dazzling pearl hidden among the mountain walls. Such a wonder, nestled high in the air above the steep peaks, truly demonstrated the wonders of nature.

Surrounded by lush greenery, the valley was filled with a riot of colorful flowers: lilies, lilacs, chrysanthemums, crabapples, roses, camellias… countless varieties were known, and even more unnamed, creating a sea of blossoms.

Yuan Yueze marveled at the scenery and decided to invite the women to stay for a few days. Looking ahead, amidst the flowers, he spotted a small wooden cabin.

A strange feeling welled up within him, similar to the connection he shared with Song Que. Looking at the cabin, which exuded a slightly eerie aura, Yuan Yueze thought that a powerful expert must reside within!

Driven by curiosity, Yuan Yueze suppressed all his energy and slowly walked forward. Reaching the door, just as he was about to push it open,

a

beautiful, melodious voice, like the soft chirping of a lark or the twittering of a magpie, suddenly rang out from inside.

Yuan Yueze was startled. The woman inside knew of his arrival; he was confident that even Song Que himself inside would have difficulty sensing his presence. Who was this woman?

He casually pushed open the door and entered. The room was simply furnished: a bed, a small table, and chairs—nothing else. A woman dressed in simple, elegant clothing, with a captivating and alluring figure, stood by the window, her back to the door. Her beautiful back and posture alone were enough to inspire endless admiration, exuding a subtle yet irresistible charm.

"Miss, I apologize for disturbing you!"

Yuan Yueze said, unabashedly sitting down and pouring himself a cup of tea.

"Miss?"

The beautiful woman gazing out the window gave a self-deprecating laugh; it had been decades since anyone had addressed her like that. She then slowly turned around, her eyes meeting Yuan Yueze's.

"It's...it's you!"

The beautiful woman appeared to be around twenty-five or twenty-six years old. A heavy veil veiled her face, obscuring most of it, but even the small portion revealed was breathtakingly beautiful and captivating.

Her delicate eyebrows slanted upwards towards her temples, and her eyes, as black as lacquer, were incredibly bright and spirited, capable of captivating any man with a single glance. Combined with her flawless, jade-like skin, who wouldn't be amazed? In terms of beauty, she was no less than Shang Xiuxun; in fact, with her refined and unparalleled气质 (qi zhi - inherent quality/temperament), her charm even surpassed Shang Xiuxun's.

Upon seeing Yuan Yueze's appearance, she exclaimed in surprise,

"What? You know me, young lady? I don't remember ever seeing you before!"

Yuan Yueze, also captivated by the beauty before the window, chuckled after a moment of distraction.

"Who exactly are you?"

the woman asked again.

Yuan Yueze was completely bewildered. At first, the woman seemed to recognize him, then suddenly asked who he was. How could Yuan Yueze not be confused?

"I just heard that you seemed to recognize me, why are you suddenly asking about my identity?"

Yuan Yueze vaguely guessed the woman's identity and spoke up.

"Could you please not call me 'Miss'? My surname is Zhu."

The woman was getting chills from Yuan Yueze calling her "Miss" repeatedly and quickly stopped him.

"Oh, Miss Zhu, may I ask if you know me or not?"

Upon hearing this, and sensing the strange aura emanating from her, Yuan Yueze immediately confirmed the woman's identity.

"You... could you please not call me 'Miss' either?"

The woman seemed uncomfortable with the word "Miss".

"Alright, alright, I'll call you Yu Yan, okay?"

Yuan Yueze took a sip of tea and smiled.

"How dare you!"

Upon hearing this, the woman immediately flew into a rage, her long sleeves billowing, creating air around her as she attacked Yuan Yueze.

"Yu Yan, don't be silly. I meant no harm. Sit down and have a cup of tea."

Yuan Yueze easily deflected Zhu Yu Yan's attack, which involved sixty percent of her power. Yuan Yueze looked up and smiled. He was in a great mood because he had finally seen the woman he had admired so much when he read novels about her years ago.

"Tell me, who are you?"

Seeing that she couldn't do anything to Yuan Yueze, the woman sat down, picked up her teacup, glared at him, and said irritably.

"Before you ask me, Yu Yan, can you answer why you said 'It's you' as soon as you saw me?"

Yuan Yueze asked.

"Don't address me so affectionately. Do you know I'm old enough to be your grandmother? And how do you know my identity?"

Yu Ren said coldly.

"Who should answer whom first?"

Yuan Yueze was starting to have a headache.

"You answer me first?"

Yu Ren spoke first.

"Alright, alright, my name is Yuan Yueze. Now it's your turn to answer my question."

Yuan Yueze was already helpless against lively and mischievous women like Shan Wanjing, and the woman in front of him was even more experienced, so he immediately surrendered.

"What! You...you..."

Zhu Yuyan's years of cold indifference and composure vanished instantly, her eyes filled with disbelief as she stared intently at Yuan Yueze.

"What's wrong, Yuyan? Are you captivated by me?"

Seeing Zhu Yuyan staring at him without moving, Yuan Yueze's mischievous heart stirred, and he actually uttered such a flippant remark.

Upon hearing his words, Zhu Yuyan's fair face instantly flushed red for no reason. Fortunately, she was wearing a veil, otherwise Yuan Yueze's eyes would have popped out of his head.

Zhu Yuyan turned her gaze to the window: "About half a year ago, a man has been appearing in my dreams every night without saying a word, just looking at me and smiling. I'm extremely curious, but I don't have a single clue."

Yuan Yueze roughly understood; the person she was talking about must be him. Why was he appearing in her dreams every night? Was she telling the truth? Judging from his shocked expression when he first saw himself, it was probably true.

Little did Yuan Yueze know that these past six months were precisely the time he arrived in this era. If this era only allowed him to see two women, he would have chosen the Yin Empress and her disciple without hesitation. They were his two favorite characters from his school days. After his "good deed" with Shan Meixian, Yuan Yueze lost interest in other women, and the Yin Empress and her disciple were naturally forgotten. However, in the dead of night, his thoughts were driven by the deepest calling of his heart. He couldn't forget the Yin Empress and her disciple deep down; he had simply suppressed those thoughts. Therefore, only when he was asleep would those deep-seated thoughts resurface. Under Yuan Yueze's "selfless" state, with his spiritual cultivation comparable to a grandmaster and the subtle call of power within his mind, how could a mortal like Zhu Yuyan withstand it? Naturally, every night Yuan Yueze would "forcefully enter her dreams." "And why did you come here? Didn't you say you'd 'ascended to immortality'?"

Zhu Yuyan asked again.

"Can rumors be believed entirely? I was just wandering around, and seeing this beautiful scenery and houses, I decided to come and take a look. I didn't expect to run into Yuyan. It's fate!"

Yuan Yueze replied.

"Didn't I tell you not to call me so affectionately anymore?"

Zhu Yuyan frowned.

"You mean age? Ahahaha."

Yuan Yueze slapped his thigh and laughed heartily, as if he'd seen something amusing.

Seeing Yuan Yueze's carefree actions, a strange light flashed in Zhu Yuyan's eyes. And it was just her pride at play. Deep down, she was quite satisfied with Yuan Yueze calling her so affectionately, even feeling a little sweet.

"You… what did you mean by 'fate' just now?"

Zhu Yuyan asked, somewhat confused.

"It's nothing. I just wanted to ask Yu Yan why she noticed me outside. I thought that when I was standing outside just now, probably no one in the world could sense me."

"I don't know either. I was just standing by the window thinking about something, and suddenly those words just came out."

There was a hint of confusion in Zhu Yu Yan's eyes.

"I see. It seems that 'though we are not a pair of phoenixes with wings, our hearts are connected by a single thread of understanding'!"

Yuan Yueze said, unable to find any other reason. There was nothing particularly meaningful in his words, but Zhu Yu Yan might have a different interpretation. The poem was beautiful, and Zhu Yu Yan's heart couldn't help but race.

"As for the 'fate' I mentioned earlier, it's actually because of two women I admired most before I came to this era. One of them was incredibly beautiful, the most stunning woman in the world. When she was still a young woman, fate cruelly seized her, forcing her onto a path of no return. Her life was like a circle, without beginning or end, only destiny. All she could do was follow the path of fate. In her confusion, her youth faded, her beauty vanished. Fate gave her the brilliance of life, but took away her love and anticipation for life. Fate gave her a legendary life, but took away her yearning and pursuit of love. Yu Yan, do you think this woman was happy or tragic?"

Yuan Yueze looked up at the roof and began to speak slowly.

As Zhu Yu Yan listened, her cold expression vanished. She slowly removed her veil, revealing her breathtakingly beautiful face. Her gaze shifted from Yuan Yueze's face back to the window, and two lines of tears slid down her cheeks.

Zhu Yuyan, with her life experiences so arduous and her will so strong, would never easily reveal her true feelings.

However, the current situation was extraordinary for her. First, in this ordinary little house, her heart was most likely to return to its innocent and carefree state. Second, Yuan Yueze, the man who haunted her dreams every night, had suddenly appeared and struck at Zhu Yuyan's weakest point with his blunt words. Third, Yuan Yueze's personal strength and charm naturally also influenced Zhu Yuyan's mindset.

"To be honest, I don't know whether this woman was happy or tragic,"

Yuan Yueze said, his gaze still fixed on the roof. "To say she was happy? That's because fate gave her everything that others could not have. To say she was tragic? That's because fate took away everything that should have been hers. She shed her blood and tears for fate, and in abandoning everything, fate was also scattering her life. Death was perhaps the greatest relief for her. She was pitiful, lovable, and respectable. In my heart, she has always been the most tragic and most charming woman."

Yuan Yueze seemed completely oblivious to Zhu Yuyan's tears streaming down her face, continuing his slow, monologue.

He hadn't noticed Zhu Yuyan's expression, not even when she removed her veil. At this moment, Yuan Yueze was immersed in his own world, savoring the emotion he felt when he first read about the Tang Dynasty atop Tianshan Mountain.

A moment later, Yuan Yueze heard sobbing, snapped out of his reverie, and found Zhu Yuyan gazing out the window, tears streaming down her face.

Yuan Yueze was most afraid of women crying, so he quickly leaned in and began to wipe away the tears of the beautiful woman.

Zhu Yuyan's tears, suppressed for decades, burst forth, flowing for half a quarter of an hour. When she finally stopped crying, she still didn't speak, only gently slapping Yuan Yueze's hand away and turning her head away.

Yuan Yueze didn't say anything either, returning to his original seat.

"Did you come here today just to say this? Why have you appeared in my dreams every night for over half a year? Do you know that my 'Heavenly Demon Technique' has regressed to the fifteenth level?"

Zhu Yuyan, her face streaked with tears and slightly flushed, gritted her teeth and said.

"I've thought about it, and it must be because since I came to this era, deep down I've been calling out to Yuyan, which is why these strange things are happening. It seems I've disturbed Yuyan's peace of mind. Should I be happy or sad?"

Yuan Yueze said. He now seemed no longer the gentle and reserved man he once was with women.

"What do you mean?" "

Zhu Yuyan stared at him.

"What makes me happy is that I, Yuan, have managed to make the peerless Empress Yin's heart flutter for me, but what makes me sad is whether Yuyan might want to kill me right now?"

Yuan Yueze laughed.

"Stop talking nonsense! Who would be fluttering their heart for you? Arrogant!"

Zhu Yuyan blushed again, lowered her head, and said coquettishly. She quickly regained her composure, thinking to herself, "What's wrong with me today? Why did I speak in that tone?"

Zhu Yuyan forcibly suppressed her wild thoughts and asked, trying to make conversation, "What did you mean by 'coming to this era' just now?"

"This... I can't say for sure right now. This is my background, and I can only tell my family. Yuyan, please forgive me this time,"

Yuan Yueze stammered.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Yuyan blushed again. She had obviously thought of other things.

Yuan Yueze stared at Zhu Yuyan with a lecherous look, his eyes seeming to want to devour her. The last time he showed such an expression was when he first met Shan Meixian. Back then, he had no experience with women, so his reaction was normal. But now, this guy is practically a seasoned womanizer, so why would he still show such an expression? Zhu Yuyan's own charm is certainly one reason, but more importantly, Yuan Yueze is finally able to see the woman he's been dreaming of. How could he not be excited?

Stared at by Yuan Yueze's burning gaze, Zhu Yuyan's heart, dormant for many years, suddenly began to pound wildly. She was instantly thrown into disarray and dared not raise her head.

Suddenly, she thought of her master, of the man who had ruined her life, and of the heavy responsibility of the Yin Gui Sect. Zhu Yuyan reverted to her cold demeanor, staring intently at him, her gaze icy, devoid of any normal human emotion.

"Is there anything else? You've greatly diminished my power, leaving me with no hope of revenge. I will not let this go!"

"Oh! Yu Yan, you mean your power has been greatly diminished? That's simple. Please, Yu Yan, first embrace Yuan Shouyi, and I will restore your power."

Yuan Yueze's heart was surging with emotion. He knew that behind this ruthlessness lay a wealth of emotions that had been suppressed for a long time. He only wanted to: From now on, I will keep this pitiful woman by my side. I will take the initiative to express my feelings. Didn't Mei Xian also hint that I should give Yu Yan happiness? I can do it.

Zhu Yu Yan had originally deliberately created an awkward atmosphere, preparing to take action, but who knew that this man who had stirred her heart would casually say that he could help her restore her power.

"How can you restore my power? Although I've heard rumors and gossip outside, I haven't seen it with my own eyes, so I still don't believe your abilities are so extraordinary."

Zhu Yu Yan said with half-belief.

"Oh dear, Yu Yan, you're still the same as always, so suspicious. Come on, close your eyes and calm your mind."

Yuan Yueze, like an old friend, got up and went to Zhu Yu Yan's side, pinching the beautiful woman's delicate nose as he spoke.

Teasing the Empress Yin! This kid is quite something. Zhu Yu Yan should have been angry, but found herself completely devoid of any fire. She could only blush and nod, sitting cross-legged and circulating her energy.

Yuan Yueze gently pressed one hand on Zhu Yu Yan's shoulder, forcefully activating the strange power in her mind. Her body, untouched by a man for decades, felt the masculine energy emanating from Yuan Yueze's large hand. Zhu Yu Yan's usually calm heart began to ripple. Half an hour later, the strange power was finally activated, rushing into the already somewhat impatient Zhu Yu Yan's body.

"Calm your mind!"

Yuan Yueze said, seeing Zhu Yu Yan's restlessness.

Zhu Yu Yan quickly suppressed her emotions, and felt an indescribably powerful force coursing through her limbs and bones. Her body felt incredibly comfortable. After a few breaths, she let out a long sigh and opened her beautiful eyes. To her surprise, everything before her eyes had become exceptionally bright, and her hearing had greatly improved. Her body also felt as light and smooth as if she had become decades younger. She

circulated her energy again, and Zhu Yuyan was utterly astonished. It turned out that after that miraculous power flowed through her entire body, her regressed "Heavenly Demon Great Art" not only recovered to the seventeenth level, but also reached the unprecedented eighteenth level of perfection. She became the first person in the Demonic Sect's thousand-year history to master the eighteenth level of the Heavenly Demon Great Art. How could Zhu Yuyan not feel as if she were in a dream, overwhelmed with excitement!

Turning her head to look at the incomparably handsome man beside her, whose face was pale and covered in cold sweat, Zhu Yuyan panicked, wanting to speak but not knowing what to say.

After a long while, noticing that Zhu Yuyan's gaze had turned cold, Yuan Yueze guessed that she seemed about to kill him. But now, after activating the strange power in his mind, his body was nearly exhausted. How could he possibly withstand Zhu Yuyan, whose demonic arts had reached their peak?

"Yuyan, you probably want to get rid of this threat, right? Make your move. Before you do, I want to say three words: I love you."

Yuan Yueze barely raised his head, his resolute gaze meeting hers

as he spoke calmly. Zhu Yuyan initially felt grateful, but then, considering his abilities, she considered trying to bribe him. If that failed, she would destroy him to prevent his existence from threatening her in the future. While she hesitated, she heard Yuan Yueze's bold confession.

Those three words completely disrupted Zhu Yuyan's mind. Her killing intent vanished, leaving her somewhat bewildered and agitated.

Suddenly remembering Shan Meixian, Zhu Yuyan said unnaturally, "Don't talk nonsense! Don't you have Meixian?"

Upon hearing her words and seeing the resentful expression on her face, Yuan Yueze pulled Zhu Yuyan into his arms. "What nonsense are you talking about? Meixian supported me in doing this before!"

"What?"

Zhu Yuyan was somewhat bewildered, completely forgetting her intimate contact with Yuan Yueze.

"We'll talk about the details when you see Meixian. Let me make this clear: you absolutely must not seek revenge against the 'Evil King'! Even if you've mastered the 'Heavenly Demon Technique' now, you can only manage a draw against the 'Evil King' at best when he goes berserk. Yuyan's emotions are too turbulent today; calm down first. When you let go of your hatred and that damned fate, I'll give you a huge surprise."

"Let go of me! You're Meixian's husband; how can you be so rude!"

Zhu Yuyan wasn't thinking about the "Evil King" at this moment; it was just that the shadow of Shan Meixian weighed heavily on her, preventing her from thinking about such things.

"Sigh, alright, alright, don't move anymore. Aren't you comfortable being held like this? I'm quite comfortable."

Yuan Yueze regained some strength, forcefully holding her and laughing.

Hearing this, Zhu Yuyan didn't move again. The feeling in Yuan Yueze's arms did indeed make her somewhat intoxicated, so she slowly nestled into that strong, warm embrace and fell into a deep sleep without any defenses. The thought of killing Yuan Yueze had long since vanished. The surprise that day had brought her was too great; as soon as her nerves relaxed, her body couldn't handle it.

"Will the 'Empress of the Underworld' be reborn tomorrow?"

Yuan Yueze, who had taken absolute control in love for the first time, looked down at the peaceful sleeping beauty in his arms and murmured.

Chapter 015 Sword Strikes the Heartstrings

Zhu Yuyan felt that this sleep was incredibly comfortable.

When she opened her eyes again, she felt full of energy. Her understanding of the eighteenth level of the "Heavenly Demon Great Art" was even more thorough.

Looking up, it was already pitch black outside the window, but Yuan Yueze was still holding her in the same position as in the afternoon, only now his eyes were closed, and his whole body exuded a peaceful and tranquil aura, as if he had never moved.

Zhu Yuyan couldn't help but take another closer look at Yuan Yueze. Although this man had appeared in her dreams hundreds of times and she was extremely familiar with him, he was still not as real as he appeared before her.

"Who exactly is he? Where does he come from? Why is his power so immense? He looks to be around twenty years old at most. Even if he started practicing martial arts while still in his mother's womb, he couldn't possibly be as strong as someone who could help me break through to the highest level of the Heavenly Demon Art with just one power, could he? Mei Xian should be almost twenty years older than him. With her calm and intelligent personality, how could she have married this boy, disregarding the proper generational order? I've seen countless people over the decades, and this boy is indeed outstanding in every way. Perhaps that's why Mei Xian married him. But can I let go of my hatred? Can I let go of my destiny? Can I let go of my duty? This boy's arms are so comfortable. To be able to lie in his arms forever, perhaps that's the greatest happiness a woman can have? No! What am I thinking? He is Mei Xian's husband, and it's rumored that Mei Xian is so foolish as to serve him alongside Wan Jing! I absolutely cannot let him succeed! It's one thing for Mei Xian to be foolish, but I will never be like her!"

Zhu Yuyan stared at Yuan Yueze's handsome face, her mind racing with wild thoughts.

Sensing the turmoil in the woman's mind, Yuan Yueze slowly opened his starry eyes, his gaze gleaming as if he had recovered eighty percent of his strength. He looked down and asked, "Awake? How did you sleep?"

"How long did I sleep?"

Zhu Yuyan forced down her thoughts and asked. She remembered it was afternoon before she closed her eyes, and the sky was already this dark when she woke up.

"About three and a half hours!"

Yuan Yueze thought for a moment and said.

"What?"

Zhu Yuyan was somewhat surprised. At her level of cultivation, sleep was necessary, but during sleep, her true energy would automatically circulate to protect her body. She would be aware of even the slightest movement and wake up. But today, she slept for more than three hours without any warning, like someone who knew no martial arts whatsoever. How could she not be surprised?

"Don't you think you slept very comfortably today? Why are you still a little surprised? Do you think that being as paranoid as you are now is a 'normal' life?"

Yuan Yueze looked at the surprised expression on the woman's face and smiled.

"No...it's none of your business, let me go!"

Zhu Yuyan didn't know how to answer Yuan Yueze's question. She could make up an excuse, but she felt that in front of Yuan Yueze's clear and unfathomable eyes, it seemed that no matter how she lied, it would be useless.

Yuan Yueze didn't force her and let her go. Zhu Yuyan got up and gently tidied her slightly messy hair, pretending to be indifferent, and said, "I've noticed that you seem to disdain my Yin Gui Sect's secret technique, the 'Heavenly Demon Great Art.' The power you displayed this afternoon certainly gave you the right to look down on any master in the world. Since you're unwilling to tell me your origins, could you tell me about the origin of the skill that helped me recover my power and break through the 'Reincarnation Chapter' of the 'Heavenly Demon Great Art'?"

"That's not martial arts at all. If it were martial arts, I'm afraid it would be hard to say what the outcome would be if I faced Yuyan, who has now reached the Great Perfection of the Heavenly Demon Great Art."

Yuan Yueze thought that she might think he helped her improve with his true energy, so he answered immediately.

"Not martial arts? Then what is it? That true energy is indeed a bit strange."

Zhu Yuyan's curiosity grew, and she kept asking questions.

"Does Yuyan believe in gods?"

Yuan Yueze stared at her and asked.

"Yes, everyone says 'there are gods three feet above your head,' there must be gods!"

Zhu Yuyan answered naturally when Yuan Yueze asked so abruptly.

"Then what do you think a god should be like? What kind of power does a god have?"

"This..."

Zhu Yuyan couldn't answer. After a moment's thought, a thought flashed through her mind.

"Could it be that you..."

She covered her cherry lips with her hand, her eyes filled with shock as she exclaimed.

Then she calmed down and thought to herself, "I really can't believe my wild imagination. This man in front of me clearly has flesh and blood, breathing and a heartbeat. A god shouldn't be like this, right? It seems he's trying to hide something."

Yuan Yueze looked at her expression and roughly guessed what she was thinking, but he didn't say anything and turned his gaze to the window.

“Yu Yan is in the Demonic Sect, where everyone is scheming and selfish. To be honest, I’m a little worried about you leaving alone,”

Yuan Yueze said again.

“Oh? I’ve already mastered the unprecedented 18th level of the ‘Heavenly Demonic Technique’! What’s there to worry about?”

Zhu Yu Yan winked at Yuan Yueze as if possessed, speaking in a sweet voice. Then she came back to her senses, her face turning shy.

“I just think I understand you better than anyone else in the Demonic Sect, that’s why I’m worried,”

Yuan Yueze said, his eyes fixed on the window.

“I’m becoming more and more curious about your background. I’ve lived for almost seventy years, and this is the first time we’ve met. How do you know me so well? Why should I believe what you say?”

“I told you, don’t try to intimidate me with your decades of life experience, or I’ll just laugh my head off! Do you know how much Mei Xian and Wan Jing will laugh if they find out you’re using your age to intimidate me?”

“As for my claim of understanding you, it’s because I’m unsure if your character will change because of my presence. I understand your deep hatred for the ‘Evil King,’ which isn’t something you can easily let go of. And based on my current feeling, once the ‘Evil King’ goes mad, even I can’t guarantee I’ll be his match! The ‘Evil King’ is indeed a once-in-a-century genius. If you’re solely focused on revenge, the only outcome will be mutual destruction, or even mutual annihilation,”

Yuan Yueze said.

Upon hearing the name “Evil King,” Zhu Yuyan’s expression tightened, but not as intensely as Yuan Yueze had expected.

“That’s all you know? I thought you knew all the secrets of my ‘Holy Gate’!”

Zhu Yuyan laughed.

“I know many secrets, for example, that Lin Shihong is one of your people, and that you’re the only one in the Yin Gui Sect who knows about ‘Elder Wei.’ I know all of these,”

Yuan Yueze said, turning his gaze to Zhu Yuyan.

Hearing Yuan Yueze's earlier words, Zhu Yuyan's eyes flashed with surprise, but by the time she heard the latter part, her face was filled with shock. She didn't know what to do; the man before her seemed to have recovered his strength, and if they fought, it would likely result in mutual injury. Besides, he didn't seem to have any intention of harming her.

"Don't worry, Yuyan, I have no interest in your affairs. My only concern is your safety. Do you want to see Meixian now?"

Yuan Yueze reassured her before speaking.

"Now? Is Meixian nearby? Why haven't I sensed her? Is Meixian's cultivation far above mine? But Meixian must hate me!"

Zhu Yuyan sighed, her expression complex.

"Ask her yourself when you see her,"

Yuan Yueze said, closing his eyes and scanning the bracelet with his mind. He found the women still happily playing among them. He then forcibly pulled Shan Meixian out.

Zhu Yuyan stared in disbelief as a fairy-like woman grew from a small figure into a large one, slowly flying out of the bracelet on Yuan Yueze's wrist. Upon closer inspection, it was none other than her daughter! Shan Meixian now appeared to be eighteen or nineteen years old, possessing an ethereal and otherworldly beauty. Although rumors circulated that Shan Meixian had regained her youthful beauty, Zhu Yuyan had never believed it. Seeing her with her own eyes today, how could she not be astonished!

Shan Meixian, forcibly pulled from the bracelet by Yuan Yueze's will, was about to complain when her gaze swept across the room and she saw her mother's familiar face. Although nearly twenty years had passed, Shan Meixian recognized Zhu Yuyan, whose mouth gaped open, at a glance.

Shan Meixian smiled broadly and knelt before her mother, saying, "It's been over ten years since I last greeted you, Mother."

She then rose and went to Yuan Yueze's side, naturally taking his arm, her face still beaming with a radiant smile.

Zhu Yuyan was completely speechless. Surprise, curiosity, embarrassment, and inner conflict made it impossible for her to face Shan Meixian so quickly.

"Meixian, have a good talk with Yuyan. Don't worry about anything. I'm going for a walk,"

Yuan Yueze said to Shan Meixian.

Hearing Yuan Yueze address Zhu Yuyan so affectionately, Shan Meixian couldn't help but glare at him. She got up and went to Zhu Yuyan's side, sitting down affectionately with Zhu Yuyan's arm through her slightly embarrassed expression.

For the next two hours, Yuan Yueze went inside to comfort the resentful Shang Xiuxun, then played around with the other girls, before calling Shan Wanjing out to meet Zhu Yuyan. By this time, Shan Wanjing had long since let go of her hatred. She had only heard bits and pieces of information from Shan Meixian before, but meeting Yuan Yueze had completely changed her life. Now, she also felt great pity for Zhu Yuyan.

Shang Xiuxun was still menstruating, and to soothe her emotions and to fully recover his strength, Yuan Yueze held her and slept with her in his arms while she blushed.

The next morning, Yuan Yueze remembered that Shan Meixian and the other two women hadn't eaten anything. Zhu Yuyan, after all, was still a mortal and needed to eat. So he went out and cooked some porridge and a few side dishes, then knocked on the door of the small wooden house.

Shan Wanjing ran out to open the door. After Yuan Yueze entered and put down the food, he noticed that all three women had tear stains on their faces, and Zhu Yuyan's eyes were red and her expression was haggard. Clearly, they hadn't slept all night, having talked all night.

Yuan Yueze said, "Come on, eat something. You two can handle it, but Yuyan's body probably can't."

Zhu Yuyan didn't dare look Yuan Yueze in the eye, but with Shan Meixian's urging, she sat down at the small table, ready to try Yuan Yueze's cooking.

Shan Wanjing had already pounced on him and started eating heartily.

"Husband, why do you call Grandma so affectionately?"

Shan Wanjing asked teasingly, her mouth still full of food.

"You brat, shut up!"

Zhu Yuyan almost spat out her porridge after being teased by her granddaughter, her face flushed. Shan

Wanjing was always the life of the party for Yuan Yueze and the others; her antics always made the atmosphere incredibly lively.

Yuan Yueze simply watched the three women chatting idly as they ate, thinking that this chance encounter with the 'Empress of the Underworld' was a good thing. Although he couldn't guarantee that it would completely dispel the hatred in Zhu Yuyan's heart, Yuan Yueze could see that she was no longer the Empress of the Underworld from yesterday.

"Yuyan, why are you here? Shouldn't you be overseeing the Yin Gui Sect?"

Yuan Yueze asked.

"This is where I grew up, and my master passed away here. I take some time out every year to come here,"

Zhu Yuyan said, her eyes dimming slightly as she mentioned her master.

The other three people in the room looked at her with pity, and Shan Wanjing started to joke around, which finally changed the atmosphere.

"Let's go out for a walk again today, there's going to be a good show in Yangzhou!"

Yuan Yueze stretched and laughed.

"Okay, Wanjing and I will tidy up and go out first. You can say a few words to your mother."

Shan Meixian got up and tidied up the dishes with Shan Wanjing, gave Yuan Yueze a wink, and walked out the door ahead of time.

Yuan Yueze and Zhu Yuyan sat silently facing each other.

After a while, Yuan Yueze spoke first: "After today's parting, I don't know when we will meet again. Let me say one more thing, Yuyan, you must not do anything reckless, and you must take care of yourself."

Zhu Yuyan nodded with complicated eyes.

"'Empress Yin', would you like to feel the taste of my embrace one last time before parting?"

Yuan Yueze opened his arms and laughed.

Zhu Yuyan gave Yuan Yueze a reproachful look, and then, like a bird entering the forest, she actually threw herself into Yuan Yueze's arms. The two nestled together quietly for the time it takes to drink a cup of tea. Yuan Yueze clearly felt his chest was wet, obviously soaked by Zhu Yuyan's tears. He lowered his head and pressed his lips to the cherry blossoms of the beauty in his arms.

After a while, their lips parted, the alluring 'Empress of the Underworld' melting into the tenderness of the man before her, her eyes shimmering with spring water. But suddenly she regained her senses, lowered her head and whispered, "You...you give Yuyan some...some time, okay?"

Yuan Yueze was taken aback. He hadn't meant anything by it at the moment; it seemed Shan Meixian had said something to Zhu Yuyan, and in this situation, it was easy to imagine what would happen next.

"Yuyan, rest well. The 'Empress of the Underworld' has been reborn. When we meet again, I, Yuan, will give you a surprise you can't even imagine!"

Yuan Yueze picked up Zhu Yuyan, placed her on the bed, pulled the blanket over her, gently kissed her delicate face, and spoke. After speaking, he turned and left gracefully.

"Hmph! Still acting all mysterious with me! Luckily, I have a good daughter who tells me everything!"

As Zhu Yuyan watched Yuan Yueze's imposing figure disappear outside the door, feeling that familiar aura gradually receding from the hut, she softly hummed. Her tone was cold, but her face was flushed, indescribably charming and alluring.

Yuan Yueze, Shan Meixian, and Shang Xiuxun traveled together, enjoying themselves along the way, and finally arrived at the northern suburbs outside Yangzhou City on the evening of the third day.

Shan Wanjing, being playful, had already run off to find amusement in her bracelet, while Shang Xiuxun, completely infatuated with Yuan Yueze, came out to keep him company. She even suggested finding some meat to roast some game.

Humans are strange like this: after indulging in rich food and wearing gold and silver every day, they crave a simple life, the feeling of plain food. Similarly, those who eat coarse food and wild vegetables every day dream of promotion, wealth, and a life of luxury.

Perhaps this is just the work of human desire!

After responding to Shang Xiuxun, Yuan Yueze and the two women headed towards a dilapidated temple ahead.

"There's a woman's aura inside!"

Shan Meixian exclaimed.

"Let's ignore her. We're just going in to grill something to eat,"

Yuan Yueze replied.

The three entered the temple's main hall and saw a beautiful figure in white, sitting alone by a pillar, tending a fire. The woman had fair skin, delicate eyebrows, and bright, sparkling eyes; she was truly a peerless beauty. A small, dark mole on her red lips added to her allure and mystery. Yuan Yueze couldn't help but secretly admire her; this woman was comparable to Song Yuzhi in beauty.

The woman inside the temple was equally surprised as she observed the man and two women. She had clearly sensed an aura approaching the temple, but judging from its intensity, it posed little threat. Now, it turned out to be three people, meaning the other two were definitely more powerful than herself!

"Master is right, the Central Plains is indeed vast and rich in resources, a land of hidden talents! These three are at most twenty years old, yet their cultivation is so extraordinary!"

the woman in white mused to herself.

Looking up again, she saw the man in the middle, with a commanding presence, sword-like eyebrows, and bright eyes. His features were like jewels set in his face, and his gaze was deep and unfathomable, captivating all who beheld him. The woman to his left, dressed in flowing white robes, her long hair swaying in the wind, possessed a beautiful face and a graceful figure, making the woman in white feel somewhat inferior. What intrigued the woman even more was the unique, otherworldly aura emanating from the man and woman before her. The woman on the left, in particular, was like a fairy descended from heaven, pure and noble, yet possessing a womanly charm unique to her.

The woman to the man's right, while slightly less beautiful and elegant than the one on the left, was still radiant and captivating. Tall and slender, she was a beauty of unparalleled grace. Her wheat-colored skin radiated vitality, inspiring envy.

The two groups exchanged glances briefly. Yuan Yueze spoke, "My wife and I were passing by. It's getting late, so we'd like to rest here. Please forgive us for disturbing you."

The woman in white, recovering from the shock of the three, said coldly, "This is unclaimed land. Please, all of you."

She then turned her gaze back to the campfire.

Yuan Yueze said, "Excuse me!"

and walked to a small clearing not far from the woman in white. Shan Meixian casually gathered some firewood and lit it.

Yuan Yueze took out some meat and seasonings, skewered them, and started grilling. Soon, the aroma filled the air. The woman in white was clearly peeking at them curiously. Seeing that the grilled meat would be ready in a moment, and noticing the woman in white glancing at them, Yuan Yueze figured she was attracted by the delicious food and was about to invite her over. Suddenly, his brow furrowed, his gaze shifting to the closed gate of the dilapidated temple. He exchanged a glance with Shan Meixian, nodding to each other, both sensing a dozen or so streams of killing intent approaching the temple.

"Bang!"

The temple gate was flung open, and a dozen burly men in tight-fitting clothes, wielding weapons, rushed in. The leader was tall and imposing, with thick eyebrows, large eyes, and a cold expression, his right hand gripping a strangely shaped longsword. The group entered, their expressions shifting slightly upon seeing Yuan Yueze and his two companions, clearly surprised by the beauty of Shan Meixian and Shang Xiuxun.

"You've finally arrived,"

the woman in white said in a cool tone. She remained seated, motionless.

"You were waiting for us?"

the leader asked, turning to the woman in white.

"Let's cut to the chase! Rumor has it that Prime Minister Yang Su, plotting a rebellion, built the 'Yang Gong Treasure Vault,' filled with countless treasures and weapons. Unfortunately, he died young and never got to use them… Afterwards, a legend arose: 'Whoever finds the treasure vault will unify the world!' There's also a rumor that you, young lady, are the only one who has personally visited the vault. Are you waiting for us today to tell us its location?"

the burly leader said.

"I'm just waiting for you to 'test my sword'!"

the woman in white said slowly and casually.

"You've got a sharp tongue, beautiful lady! What about the rest?"

Several men behind the burly man stared lewdly at the woman's alluring figure, their eyes gleaming with lust.

"Enough talk! Brothers, attack!"

the leader shouted.

The woman in white maintained her aloof demeanor, a sharp glint flashing in her beautiful eyes. Her longsword was drawn, and the dozen or so burly men who rushed forward couldn't even see how she moved. A flash of sword light, and the two at the front were already lifeless.

"She's a master! Everyone, be careful!"

the leader warned again, gripping his sword with both hands, ready to strike.

The woman in white attacked again, her sword energy surging and shooting across the entire area. The dozen or so men struggled to defend themselves, looking extremely disheveled.

Yuan Yueze and the two women were also observing the situation. When they had just discussed the "Yang Gong Treasure Vault," Yuan Yueze had already confirmed the woman in white's identity: Fu Junzhuo, the "Rakshasa Woman" from Goryeo. He was simply very curious: since Yuan Yueze had already taken the contents of the treasure vault, why were there still rumors surrounding Fu Junzhuo?

Curiosity aside, Yuan Yueze still carefully observed Fu Junzhuo's swordsmanship. In the first few moves, he saw that Fu Junzhuo's swordplay was always preemptive, like a chess piece making its moves, constantly putting the dozen or so burly men, who were not badly matched, at a disadvantage.

Fu Junzhuo calmly withdrew her attacks, her movements as smooth and natural as flowing water.

"Why did you stop so quickly, young lady? The battle is not over yet, is it?"

the leading burly man asked curiously.

Fu Junzhuo did not answer, but stared coldly at the leading burly man, her expression as if mocking how ignorant and foolish his question was.

"Pfft! Pfft!"

While the leading burly man was still confused, he heard a sound behind him and turned around. He saw that the dozen or so men who had been fine just moments before were now coughing up blood and falling backward.

"Damn it, this is crooked magic! What kind of swordsmanship is this? Who is your background?"

Seeing his entire army wiped out, the leader flew into a rage. To hide his fear, he charged forward with his sword.

Fu Junzhuo controlled her sword with her inner energy, her finger pointing out the blade. The sword spun and swirled, unleashing nine strikes in quick succession, turning defense into offense. Her sword aura enveloped her entire body, forcing the burly man back. Her sword speed was swift, her power fierce, and her control exceptionally precise. Yuan Yueze and the two women nearby couldn't help but nod in approval.

Having repelled her opponent with one move, Fu Junzhuo showed no mercy, increasing her strength and concentrating her sword energy on the blade. She thrust with all her might, aiming straight for the burly man's throat. The burly man, already wounded by the sword's power, had no strength left to dodge. He watched helplessly as the sword pierced his throat, dying instantly!

On his deathbed, the burly man seemed to recall some legendary exotic sword technique, but it was too late.

"The Heavenly King won't...won't...let him go..."

Before he could finish his sentence, the burly man breathed his last.

Fu Junzhuo sheathed her sword, glanced at the man and two women beside her, and returned to her fire to rest. She found the dilapidated temple completely destroyed, and her fire extinguished long ago.

"If you don't mind, young lady, you can come over and warm yourself by the fire, and perhaps try my husband's cooking,"

Shan Meixian said, turning to see Fu Junzhuo's expression.

Fu Junzhuo turned her graceful body, nodded in thanks, and said, "Thank you for the invitation, Madam."

She readily sat down beside Shan Meixian, her tone no longer cold.

She noticed that only Yuan Yueze and his two companions, within a few feet of each other, hadn't been affected by the fight. And Fu Junzhuo also saw that these three hadn't moved an inch! What level of cultivation! Moreover, the three of them remained unfazed by the scene they had just witnessed, a courage that Fu Junzhuo greatly admired.

Yuan Yueze continued grilling the meat silently, while Fu Junzhuo chatted with Shan Meixian and the other two women. Women are naturally friendly, and they talked about random things, so time passed quickly. Fu Junzhuo would occasionally steal glances at Yuan Yueze, who was focused on grilling the meat.

After a short while, Yuan Yueze finished grilling several large slices of beef, and the aroma filled the air. Fu Junzhuo couldn't help but focus her gaze on the grilled meat, clearly attracted by the delicious food.

Seeing Fu Junzhuo's expression, Yuan Yueze smiled and separated a few slices of meat, handing them to the three women. Fu Junzhuo didn't even suspect that the person in front of her might have poisoned the food before eagerly taking a bite.

"It smells so good! Why does this roast meat have a tingling sensation on my tongue, and a fiery, burning taste that's also incredibly comforting?"

Fu Junzhuo asked curiously, having never tasted such delicious roast meat before.

"Two of the seasonings here are not from the Central Plains. Currently, within the Central Plains, only I possess them,"

Yuan Yueze said with a smile.

"Oh?"

Fu Junzhuo's beautiful eyes fixed on Yuan Yueze, a look of eager curiosity flashing in them.

"The tingling sensation comes from a seasoning originating from Persia, while the fiery sensation comes from a seasoning originating from the land east of the sea,"

Yuan Yueze explained.

Fu Junzhuo was surprised again. This was the first time she had heard anyone other than her master mention "land beyond the sea." Ancient people believed the sky was flat and the earth was round, and that apart from the Central Plains and beyond, the surrounding area was all sea. Fu Cailin was erudite and knowledgeable, so Fu Junzhuo naturally believed his words. How could she not be astonished to hear a man several years younger than herself speaking as eloquently as Fu Cailin?

"Miss, there's no need to be surprised. My husband is by no means inferior to your teacher in talent,"

Shan Meixian said with a smile. She and Shang Xiuxun had just learned of Fu Junzhuo's identity.

Fu Junzhuo was puzzled. Who were these people before her? Did they really know her identity? She had always been very secretive about her entry into the Central Plains; how could they know? Or were they deceiving her?

"Does Madam know my teacher?"

Fu Junzhuo asked tentatively.

Shan Meixian remained silent, continuing to chew her meat.

"We have never met your teacher, only heard of his name,"

Yuan Yueze said.

Fu Junzhuo became even more certain that they were lying. She remained silent, continuing to enjoy her roasted meat.

"I simply don't understand, Miss Fu, you must have already seen that the treasure vault is empty. So how did you manage to attract the attention of the various forces in the Central Plains?"

Yuan Yueze asked, looking at Fu Junzhuo.

Fu Junzhuo was startled and quickly grabbed the sword beside her, looking at Yuan Yueze warily: "Who exactly are you? You've also been to the treasure vault? How do you know my surname?"

"Miss Fu, you must have seen the words on the walls of the treasure vault, right? I carved them!"

"What!"

Fu Junzhuo covered her mouth with her delicate fingers, exclaiming in surprise.

"You...you're Yuan Yueze? Didn't you say you've already 'ascended to immortality'? Later, I heard you became the son-in-law of the Song Clan in Lingnan. Which version is true?"

After a moment of calm, Fu Junzhuo asked several questions in succession.

"These things are a long story!"

Yuan Yueze gave Fu Junzhuo a charming smile and sighed deeply.

Fu Junzhuo blushed for no reason, quickly lowered her head, and slowly chewed on her roasted meat.

She had also heard Yuan Yueze's earth-shattering roar more than half a year ago. A woman in love, especially a man like Yuan Yueze who dared to defy the world for his wife, greatly intrigued Fu Junzhuo. Later, she heard rumors that he had ascended to immortality, leaving her feeling a pang of disappointment; she hadn't even had the chance to see him in person. After the martial world gradually calmed down, Fu Junzhuo, under her master's orders, came to the Central Plains for training. Entering the "Yang Gong Treasure Vault," she found it empty, and the words left on the walls only deepened her astonishment, further fueling her curiosity about Yuan Yueze. After leaving the vault, she heard that the "Heavenly Blade" of Lingnan had announced their intention to marry their youngest daughter to Yuan Yueze. Upon receiving this news, Fu Junzhuo was somewhat excited: this man was still alive! Although she had never seen Yuan Yueze in person, she reasoned that with the "Heavenly Blade's" discerning eye, they would never betroth their daughter to an ordinary man. Upon hearing that "Heavenly Blade" didn't seem to mind Yuan Yueze's existing family and still betrothed his most beloved daughter to him, Fu Junzhuo concluded that Yuan Yueze must be an exceptional individual! From then on, Fu Junzhuo had two goals: first, to spread the news of her knowledge of the "Yang Gong Treasure Vault" to incite chaos in the Central Plains; second, to personally meet Yuan Yueze and see what kind of person he truly was.

Today, meeting him at the dilapidated temple, Fu Junzhuo was immediately struck by Yuan Yueze's extraordinary bearing, demeanor, and appearance. Seeing that he already had two wives, she couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy. However, this feeling wasn't as strong as it had been after learning Yuan Yueze's true identity!

After scrutinizing Yuan Yueze more closely, Fu Junzhuo was deeply impressed. This man before her was undoubtedly an exceptional individual. "Only the woman beside him, as beautiful as a fairy, is worthy of him!"

Fu Junzhuo glanced at Shan Meixian and thought wistfully.

How perceptive Shan Meixian was! She noticed Fu Junzhuo's slightest change in expression. Yuan Yueze gave her a reproachful glare, then resumed chatting with Fu Junzhuo.

Before long, it was almost midnight. Looking at Shan Meixian, who showed no signs of fatigue, Fu Junzhuo couldn't help but yawn. Her face flushed red with embarrassment.

"Miss Fu, do you have a place to stay?"

Shan Meixian asked, noticing her expression.

"I'm afraid I can only stay here for the night,"

Fu Junzhuo said helplessly, looking around at the mess.

"How can you stay here? Miss Fu is so beautiful; staying here will harm your health,"

Shan Meixian said.

"Sister is joking. Junzhuo is just an ugly woman in your eyes,"

Fu Junzhuo retorted. Indeed, she paled in comparison to Shan Meixian. Having just learned that this eighteen or nineteen-year-old woman was the former Lady Dongming, Fu Junzhuo was greatly surprised. It seemed the old legend of Shan Meixian regaining her youthful beauty was indeed true. The young woman before her looked so natural, it was impossible for her to maintain her youthful appearance with profound inner strength.

Fu Junzhuo was filled with questions, about Yuan Yueze and about Shan Meixian, but she couldn't bring herself to ask.

“If Miss Fu doesn’t mind, how about I handle this?”

Yuan Yueze smiled.

Fu Junzhuo nodded, puzzled.

Yuan Yueze closed his eyes and connected his thoughts to the bracelet. With a flash of light, the four of them entered the bracelet.

“Husband, you’re back!”

Shan Ruyin was chasing a rabbit not far away. Seeing Yuan Yueze and the others enter, she ran over.

“Oh, who is this sister? She’s so beautiful!”

Shan Ruyin tilted her head and stared at Fu Junzhuo.

Fu Junzhuo had only felt a flash before her eyes and found herself in this fairyland. She was immediately dumbfounded and just stared blankly at Yuan Yueze. Hearing the fairy voice in her ears, she came back to her senses and found another little fairy standing beside her, staring at her curiously. She didn’t know what to say, so she turned her gaze to Yuan Yueze.

“Miss Fu must have many questions. Let the beautiful fairy explain them to you in a moment. Just know that we have no ill intentions.”

Yuan Yueze smiled.

Fu Junzhuo nodded. The man before her was too mysterious, and his martial arts were definitely superior to hers. If he truly harbored ill intentions, she wouldn't be able to escape! Moreover, she seemed to vaguely desire that this man might have some bad intentions towards her. Thinking of this, Fu Junzhuo immediately cursed herself inwardly, her face flushing with embarrassment.

Seeing Fu Junzhuo's changing expressions—one moment surprised, the next shy—Yuan Yueze, unaware of what was happening, entered the large house with the women.

That night, the women tacitly agreed to let Yuan Yueze accompany Shang Xiuxun. They all understood Shang Xiuxun's resentment, especially Song Yuzhi, who felt embarrassed that she had married Yuan Yueze before her sister Xiuxun. Therefore, she was the first to agree to Yuan Yueze spending the night with Shang Xiuxun.

Seeing her sisters' consideration, Shang Xiuxun couldn't help but feel shy and fell into a deep sleep in Yuan Yueze's warm embrace.

Shan Meixian stayed with Fu Junzhuo, partly because she was worried Fu Junzhuo wouldn't be familiar with the new facilities, and partly to give her a general explanation.

Fu Junzhuo was so surprised by what she heard that she couldn't sleep. She sensed that what Shan Meixian had told her was only a small part of this man's secrets, and that a larger secret was currently inconvenient to tell her. She couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy, feeling a bit envious of Shan Meixian and the other women.

The night passed, and Shan Meixian planned to stay in the bracelet and play her musical instruments, while Song Yuzhi and Shang Xiuxun accompanied Yuan Yueze out. Fu Junzhuo stared in disbelief as Yuan Yueze waved his hand, and the group reappeared in the dilapidated temple.

"Miss Fu, where do you plan to go next? If it's convenient, we can go together,"

Yuan Yueze invited.

"I...I want to walk alone, so I won't disturb you any longer, Young Master Yuan,"

Fu Junzhuo replied, her mind in turmoil.

Yuan Yueze didn't press her further and immediately rose to take his leave: "Miss Fu, if fate allows, we will meet again. Please take care of yourself and don't force yourself."

Hearing his concerned words, Fu Junzhuo's eyes welled up with tears, and she quickly bowed her head, saying, "Farewell, Young Master Yuan and my two sisters, please take care as well."

The three figures of Yuan Yueze slowly disappeared, but Fu Junzhuo remained standing there, lost in thought. After a long while, she recovered and turned to run off in the opposite direction.

"Husband, I think Sister Fu seems quite interested in you. Why don't you make a move?"

Song Yuzhi said as they walked.

Yuan Yueze was indeed quite interested in Fu Junzhuo. After more than half a year of experience, he was no longer a naive young man. He felt a special kind of pity for the women in the original story who met tragic ends. He had also worried about whether he was being too promiscuous. Fortunately, Shan Meixian advised him that he should just face everything calmly.

But Song Yuzhi's words came at the worst possible time. Shang Xiuxun, still fuming about not being officially "married," immediately fell silent upon hearing Song Yuzhi's words.

Song Yuzhi, seeing this, immediately understood. She ran over to tease Shang Xiuxun, and they started playfully fighting.

The three of them walked and played. A few days later, after hearing the news in Yangzhou that the Longevity Formula had been lost, Yuan Yueze knew that the Twin Dragons were about to be born. He had no particular feelings for the Twin Dragons, but worried about whether Fu Junzhuo would truly perish. So he took the two women to wander around Danyang City.

In the afternoon, Song Yuzhi said that the Song clan's salt-carrying ship was about to arrive at the Danyang dock and wanted to greet the old steward, Song Qiang, who was leading the ship. Yuan Yueze then led the two women towards the dock.

Before even reaching the dock, they saw the three of them standing on it, gazing at the water. One of the women, a tall and slender figure, was someone Yuan Yueze and the others recognized very well—Fu Junzhuo, whom they had only parted from a few days ago.

Life is unpredictable. Yuan Yueze had originally intended to acquire the entire "Yang Gong Treasure Trove," but Fu Junzhuo still followed the old path of "possessing information about the treasure." Looking at the two ragged youths beside Fu Junzhuo in the distance, they were undoubtedly the Twin Dragons; they truly were destined to meet.

"Miss Fu, we meet again!"

Yuan Yueze said, leading the two women over.

Hearing that familiar voice, Fu Junzhuo turned around, suppressing her excitement, her voice trembling slightly, "Young Master Yuan, how have you been?"

Yuan Yueze nodded in acknowledgment, then nodded to the Twin Dragons beside him. However, the Twin Dragons' expressions were unfriendly, staring coldly at Yuan Yueze. They were likely displeased by Fu Junzhuo's excited greeting to Yuan Yueze.

Yuan Yueze ignored the two men and invited Fu Junzhuo to board the Song family's ship. Fu Junzhuo readily agreed, but Shuanglong stubbornly refused. Fu Junzhuo had no choice but to adopt a cold expression and forcibly drag Shuanglong onto the ship.

After resting for several hours, servants called Fu Junzhuo and Shuanglong to dine. Fu Junzhuo was naturally delighted, but seeing Shuanglong's long, sullen face, she had to force them again.

At the table, Shuanglong's ravenous eating habits made everyone laugh.

After the meal, tea was served, and Yuan Yueze asked, "Miss Fu, how have you been these past few days?"

"My mother is doing well! You don't need to worry about her!"

Xu Ziling interjected.

Upon hearing Xu Ziling call her "mother" in front of Yuan Yueze, Fu Junzhuo, fearing he might misunderstand, quickly interrupted him. Yuan Yueze didn't mind and laughed heartily.

Just as they were about to chat a few more words, Yuan Yueze's expression suddenly turned cold: "Someone's here. I'll go out and see! You all stay inside and don't move."

When Yuan Yueze reached the bow, he saw the old steward, Song Qiang, already standing there. Upon seeing Yuan Yueze, Song Qiang immediately bowed to the young master. Just

as Yuan Yueze was about to wave his hand, a voice imbued with profound inner strength came from the right bank of the river: "I wonder which expert from the Song Clan is in charge of the fleet? Please dock and let Yuwen Huaji board to greet us

." Song Qiang, being an old and shrewd man, naturally knew who Yuwen Huaji was. He quickly shouted, "I am Song Qiang, in charge of this ship's affairs, but today the young master Yuan, the son-in-law of the Song Clan, is here. Please ask him to take charge."

"What brings you here? Why do you want us to dock?"

Yuan Yueze continued to shout.

Upon hearing that Yuan Yueze, who had once caused such a stir in the martial arts world and later became the son-in-law of the Song Clan, was present at the riverbank, Yuwen Huaji couldn't help but ask with some curiosity, "Someone reported that a wanted criminal is on the Song Clan's ship. Yuwen Huaji is in a dilemma, unable to disobey the imperial decree, yet also unable to disrespect the Song Clan. Therefore, I beg

you, sir, to be lenient. After Yuwen Huaji has investigated, I will naturally give the Song Clan justice." "No need! The person is not on my ship. Who dares to approach? Don't blame me for being ruthless! Lord Yuwen, please!"

Yuan Yueze said coldly, showing no mercy to Yuwen Huaji.

To everyone's surprise, Yuwen Huaji said, "Then Yuwen Huaji will not disturb the Song Clan and Young Master Yuan any longer. Farewell!"

Yuan Yueze was still wondering why Yuwen Huaji had suddenly backed down when he heard the Song Clan members behind him begin to flatter him.

Yuan Yueze chuckled, shook his head, and returned to the cabin.

To his astonishment, only Song Yuzhi and Shang Xiuxun were there. Yuan Yueze's heart suddenly skipped a beat, and he hurriedly asked, "Where are Miss Fu and those two boys?"

Song Yuzhi could only reply, "Sister Fu didn't want to be a burden to us, so she left from the back cabin. We tried to persuade her to stay, but she was too stubborn."

Yuan Yueze sighed inwardly, "Just as I thought," and said to the two women, "You two stay here, I'm going to rescue Miss Fu!"

With that, he quickly turned and slipped out of the cabin.

"Sister Xiuxun, it seems our family is about to have another member!"

Song Yuzhi, quick-witted, teased Shang Xiuxun.

"It's all because of that damned period!"

Shang Xiuxun pouted her red lips and huffed.

Song Yuzhi laughed so hard she almost fell over, her ladylike demeanor completely gone.

Yuan Yueze, while probing Fu Junzhuo's aura, moved forward and finally detected two powerful auras a hundred feet away. It seemed Fu Junzhuo and Yuwen Huaji were already locked in combat.

Yuwen Huaji stood on a boulder, while Fu Junzhuo transformed into a ghostly cloud of smoke, attacking from all directions. Her precious blade became countless streaks of light, cascading down like mercury on the ground like a tidal wave, a desperate, all-out attack.

Yuwen Huaji's long face was solemn. His hands moved with fists, claws, and palms, occasionally kicking, as if using magic to deal with Fu Junzhuo's ferocious attacks.

"Miss Fu!"

Yuan Yueze's voice came from afar. Fu Junzhuo was momentarily distracted, losing her initiative. She saw Yuwen Huaji's right palm already striking her chest, with no way to dodge.

Fu Junzhuo closed her eyes, silently lamenting that her life was over. Her master and junior sisters flashed through her mind in an instant, and the last thing that appeared in her mind was that mysterious man who seemed to be omnipotent.

"Young Master Yuan, see you in the next life!"

Fu Junzhuo screamed.

"Boom!"

Yuwen Huaji laughed wildly in his heart: this attack contained the full power of "Ice Profound Force", Fu Junzhuo was doomed!

After the deafening sound, Fu Junzhuo thought she should be dead, so she opened her eyes. The first thing she saw was the man who had haunted her dreams! Fu Junzhuo didn't know what had happened! It seemed that she was still alive?

"Junzhuo, there's no need for the next life, we've met again, haven't we?"

Yuan Yueze's face flashed with a red light as he hugged Fu Junzhuo and laughed.

Hearing Yuan Yueze address her so affectionately, Fu Junzhuo's face immediately turned bright red. It seemed that he had saved her in her time of crisis! Fu Junzhuo was so shy that she buried her head deeply in Yuan Yueze's arms, not daring to lift it up.

Yuwen Huaji, standing not far away, was astonished: this man had actually taken all of his power with his back! It seemed that while this guy wasn't as superhuman as the rumors suggested, some of the rumors were indeed true! Yuwen Huaji became excited. He was a martial arts fanatic, but having followed Yang Guang for many years, he hadn't had many opportunities to experience the joy of combat. Seeing Yuan Yueze's seemingly unfathomable strength today, his martial spirit was ignited, and he no longer underestimated his opponent. He slowly gathered his aura, preparing to attack.

"Junzhuo, wait over there for a moment. I'll teach this lackey of Yang Guang a lesson,"

Yuan Yueze said, turning around with Fu Junzhuo in his arms.

"Okay, you... be careful,"

Fu Junzhuo said softly, still blushing with embarrassment. She also wanted to witness this mysterious man's martial arts skills firsthand.

Fu Junzhuo stepped back, and Yuan Yueze conjured a longsword out of thin air. He stood there, sword in hand, his purple robes fluttering in the wind, his handsome face truly captivating. Fu Junzhuo stared at him, mesmerized.

"Young Master Yuan, the woman you're protecting is a wanted criminal who attempted to assassinate the Emperor. Although you are the son-in-law of the Song Clan, Yuwen Huaji is acting on imperial orders! Can you afford to offend him?" Yuwen

Huaji said.

"Imperial orders? Hahaha!"

Yuan Yueze laughed loudly, as if he had heard a joke.

"Don't even mention imperial orders, even if that old scoundrel Yang Guang came in person, I wouldn't give him a second glance! And you! You're nothing but his lackey!"

Yuwen Huaji was no weakling, especially since Yuan Yueze had just shielded Fu Junzhuo from Yuwen Huaji's fatal blow. Even after the Ice Profound True Qi entered his body, Yuan Yueze still felt the discomfort in his meridians. So he held back Yuwen Huaji, secretly circulating his true qi to force out the icy energy within him.

"Insolence!"

Yuwen Huaji roared, his face stinging from the insults. He channeled his icy true energy into his palms, the chilling force spreading for several feet. The bamboo forest behind him was bent by the cold air. Having gathered his strength for a long time, Yuwen Huaji leaped into the air, the powerful chilling force pressing down on him relentlessly, striking Yuan Yueze with both palms like an eagle swooping down on a rabbit.

"A mere trick!"

Yuan Yueze sneered, drawing his longsword and casually meeting Yuwen Huaji's attack.

Yuwen Huaji's expression changed drastically!

This sword strike from Yuan Yueze was a technique he had developed after his second duel with Song Que, under Song Que's guidance, having comprehended the state of 'intentional yet unintentional'. This sword strike was unpredictable, its movement as swift as the sun at its zenith, illuminating the earth.

"Boom!"

Yuwen Huaji was slightly disheveled after the fierce clash. The sword strike he had just received was not only powerful but also combined parrying and attacking techniques. Even with Yuwen Huaji's skill, he couldn't discern which part of his body the sword would pierce. The cowardly Yuwen Huaji immediately withdrew his attack to defend, but was still forced back several feet before stopping.

But Yuan Yueze wouldn't let him off so easily. While Yuwen Huaji was retreating, Yuan Yueze was faster than lightning, already leaping forward, his sword trembling, thrusting three times at incredible angles, leaving no trace.

Sensing the increasingly powerful aura of his opponent, Yuwen Huaji felt a sense of despair. No matter how he dealt with these seemingly simple three sword strikes, he would inevitably miss one, and that one strike might be the most fatal!

But under the pressure of Yuan Yueze's mental power, Yuwen Huaji could no longer escape and could only block!

"Clang! Clang!"

After two crisp sounds of weapons clashing, Yuwen Huaji screamed, spitting out blood, and flew backward. In a few leaps and bounds, he vanished without a trace.

Yuan Yueze did not pursue, but merely flicked his wrist, gripping his longsword behind his arm, gazing intently in the direction Yuwen Huaji had fled.

Behind him, Fu Junzhuo was utterly devastated by the two sword strikes! She stared, mesmerized, at the man and sword not far ahead! The twin dragons in the distant bushes also stared dumbfounded at Yuan Yueze.

"Heh, if this move were unleashed at full power, even my former father-in-law probably wouldn't dare underestimate it. Yuwen Huaji, you'd better save your life after you've killed Yang Guang!"

04-20
Chapter 016 Enemy's Footprints Reappear

Jiangdu, the General's Mansion.

Yuwen Huaji sat at the table, his face slightly pale, sipping hot tea. Accompanying him was Yuchi Sheng, the General's Mansion's Chief Steward of Jiangdu.

The two were not only acquaintances, but their relationship was also extraordinary.

Before establishing the Sui Dynasty, Yang Jian was a minister of the Northern Zhou Dynasty. After the death of Emperor Xuan of Zhou, Yuwen Yun, Yang Jian colluded with Zheng Yi, the Grand Historian, and Liu Fang, the Imperial Censor, to forge an imperial edict and bring Yang Jian into power, citing the young age of the succeeding emperor, Yuwen Shan. A year later, Yang Jian forced Emperor Jing to abdicate and declared himself emperor.

The Yuwen family's rule in the Northern Zhou was thus replaced by the Yang family.

However, due to the deep-rooted power of the Yuwen clan, Yang Jian, despite becoming emperor, was unable to completely eradicate the Yuwen faction. When his son, Yang Guang, became emperor, the Yuwen clan rose to power again.

Strictly speaking, although the Yuwen clan appeared loyal to the Sui dynasty, they were merely burying their hatred deep within.

After Yang Jian seized power, three ministers who supported the Yuwen family of Northern Zhou rebelled: Yuchi Zhou, the governor of Xiangzhou; Sima Xiaonan, the governor of Zhengzhou; and Wang Qian, the governor of Yizhou. These individuals were either related to the Yuwen family or loyal to the Northern Zhou royal family. Yuchi Zhou was Yuchi Sheng's cousin, demonstrating their close relationship.

Yuwen Huaji sighed, "This book is of utmost importance. I've prepared skilled men to pretend to have successfully deciphered it as soon as we obtain it, and then give it to that tyrant to cultivate. I guarantee he'll be dead within three months. Who would have thought that obtaining what should have been so easy would be so fraught with difficulties? Now, the only thing we can do is heal our injuries first."

Yuchi Sheng sneered, "Even without the book, I fear the Yang family will still be in jeopardy on their throne. Heaven blesses the Great Zhou. Since this tyrant ascended the throne, he has been tyrannical and oppressive domestically, engaging in massive construction projects; externally, he has been aggressive and militaristic, launching three campaigns against Goguryeo, suffering three defeats in three battles. Now, rebels are everywhere. If we seize the opportunity, we will surely..." " Let's repeat the glorious days of the Great Zhou. Hua Ji, you should focus on recovering from your injuries first. We must avenge the Song Clan!"

Yuwen Huaji's eyes flashed with a cold light as he said in a deep voice, "That Yuan Yueze is indeed formidable, and he even learned the martial arts of my Yuwen Clan from somewhere! However, I have personally fought with him, and he is not as powerful as rumored! It seems that the rumor of 'losing the virginity of a virgin means losing demonic power' is

indeed true." Yuchi Sheng also asked coldly, "What do you think of Yuan Yueze's martial arts skills, Hua Ji?"

Yuwen Huaji replied, "I am indeed no match for him! But as long as the Yuwen Clan sends out all its experts, we should be able to destroy him."

"It seems that he is just a little more skilled! But what worries me most is what secret dealings Song Que has with him! We must not let him ruin our grand plan! After hearing about Song Que and Yuan Yueze, the 'Empress of Law' sent an order from 'Beyond the Heavens' at the end of last month, instructing us to be careful in everything."

Yuchi Sheng sighed.

"What? The 'Empress Dowager' has sent word? It seems we shouldn't confront the Yuan and Song clans head-on now,"

Yuwen Huaji said somewhat unwillingly. It seemed the 'Empress Dowager's' decree was even more powerful than an imperial edict.

"Hmph! Of course we must do what the 'Empress Dowager' ordered, but the Song clan and Yuan Yueze won't have a peaceful life!"

Yuchi Sheng sneered.

"We can do this, and that..."

Yuchi Sheng looked at the curious Yuwen Huaji and whispered in his ear.

Yuwen Huaji listened, his face beaming with joy, and exclaimed, "A brilliant plan!"

Afterwards, the two exchanged a glance and laughed triumphantly.

After defeating Yuwen Huaji in two moves, Yuan Yueze returned to the Song clan's ship with Fu Junzhuo and the two dragons to rest.

Song Yuzhi and the other two women complained about Fu Junzhuo's stubbornness. Fu Junzhuo could only acquiesce and lower her head: she simply didn't want to deal with the Han people anymore and receive their favors. Moreover, Fu Junzhuo still felt uneasy about facing Yuan Yueze. She was apprehensive and unsure how to confront him.

The two dragons, already captivated by Yuan Yueze's palm strike and swordplay, had just settled everyone into their cabins after boarding the ship when Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling rushed to Fu Junzhuo's room and knocked. They had overheard Yuan Yueze and Fu Junzhuo's conversation from next door.

Yuan Yueze had made a grave mistake this time; his eagerness to save her had made him forget how he would face the two dragons' persistent advances after witnessing his divine power firsthand. He

had barely exchanged a few pleasantries after entering Fu Junzhuo's room when the two dragons burst in.

Fu Junzhuo was incredibly conflicted: she wanted to enjoy some quality time with Yuan Yueze and have a heart-to-heart talk, yet she was also somewhat afraid to face him. The reasons were complex, such as Yuan Yueze already having several wives, and Fu Junzhuo believed he would never harbor any ill intentions towards her. She worried that the longer she spent with her, the more she would succumb to her charm, and how would she explain that to her master? Yuan Yueze was Han Chinese!

Fu Junzhuo was both shy and worried, her mind in turmoil, facing Yuan Yueze's greeting with a mix of anxiety and uncertainty. Then, the sound of two dragons knocking on the door rang out, and Fu Junzhuo breathed a sigh of relief: her savior had arrived. But then a hint of disappointment washed over her.

The two dragons entered, first checking on the now unharmed Fu Junzhuo, then turning their gaze to Yuan Yueze, their previous coldness gone.

"Brother Yuan, you're amazing! You beat that Yuwen Gu to the point of vomiting blood and running away in just a few moves!"

Kou Zhong said with a grin.

Upon hearing Kou Zhong's words, Yuan Yueze realized that he had been targeted by Kou Zhong. With no way to avoid it, he quickly decided to tell them directly.

"Little Zhong, you don't need to flatter me. You two can achieve this level of cultivation in the future,"

Yuan Yueze said.

"The future? How long is that? My brother and I are just small-time thugs on the run right now! Brother Yuan, don't try to comfort us!"

Kou Zhong said pitifully.

"I know you two very well. You were just trying to gain my pity so you could learn martial arts and make something of yourself, right?"

Yuan Yueze laughed. Kou Zhong

blushed, clearly feeling something was off. He asked curiously, "We should be meeting for the first time, so why does Brother Yuan say he 'knows us very well'?"

"Let's not talk about that for now. I just want to tell you that the 'Longevity Manual' you have is a rare book, written by Guang Chengzi, the teacher of the Yellow Emperor. More importantly, you two are destined to have the 'Longevity Manual,' and in the future, you can become grandmasters with it. It's really difficult for ordinary people to master this book,"

Yuan Yueze explained.

Shuanglong looked on with disbelief, and Fu Junzhuo also spoke with a strange expression, "Young Master Yuan... I also looked through that book. Is it about martial arts?"

"Junzhuo, do you think I have any reason to lie to you? Or to them?"

Yuan Yueze asked.

The three remained silent, their faces still showing disbelief.

Yuan Yueze sighed and explained his cultivation method. Shuanglong was completely confused, while Fu Junzhuo looked grave.

"Young Master, is this the cultivation method you've comprehended? If you practice this method, it will burst your body in less than half a year. No matter how strong your physical body is, it can't absorb the energy of heaven and earth for long!"

Fu Junzhuo was a martial artist, and she understood after a moment's thought.

Yuan Yueze shrugged and smiled, "What I said is true, so teaching them would only harm them."

"Alright, Xiao Zhong and I are going to rest. Brother Yuan, you and Mother can talk slowly."

Xu Ziling pulled the disappointed Kou Zhong out.

The two entered their cabin and sat down at a small table, pouring tea.

"Xiao Ling, do you think Brother Yuan looks down on our background, which is why he mentioned that strange martial art?"

Kou Zhong asked Xu Ziling.

"I don't think so. I just looked closely, and there wasn't a hint of contempt in his eyes. Besides, I can always inexplicably sense the true energy within Brother Yuan's body; it truly exudes the aura of the vast and righteous energy of heaven and earth!"

Xu Ziling replied with a strange expression.

He didn't understand martial arts at all at this point, so sensing the aura within Yuan Yueze was indeed quite mysterious.

"And did you notice? Brother Yuan seems to know us!"

Xu Ziling continued.

“I also find it strange. This should be our first meeting. How could he know my ideal?”

Kou Zhong asked, puzzled.

“Did you notice that his back looked somewhat familiar?”

Xu Ziling asked.

“It seems so! When we stood behind him on the riverbank, I also felt a sense of familiarity, but they were fighting so fiercely that I didn’t pay attention.”

Kou Zhong pondered.

“I can’t remember!”

After a moment of silent contemplation, the Twin Dragons exclaimed, banging their heads.

“Hey, Xiao Ling, you seemed to dislike Brother Yuan at first? Was it because of Mother?”

Kou Zhong asked teasingly.

“Well, at first I thought he was just a pretty boy. He is indeed quite handsome, but he’s already the son-in-law of the Song Clan, and he’s so close to Mother. I was afraid Mother was being deceived!”

Xu Ziling answered readily.

“Later, you saw with your own eyes that he was highly skilled, so you stopped being hostile towards him?”

Kou Zhong interjected.

Xu Ziling nodded silently.

"Anyway, don't overthink it. Mother isn't stupid; she can distinguish right from wrong and is better at judging people than we are. Let's study this tattered book of scribbles first. Where should we start practicing?"

Kou Zhong lay down on the ground and pulled out the "Longevity Manual" from his robes, flipping through it haphazardly.

Luoyang, perched on the south bank of the Yellow River, is bordered by Mangshan Mountain to the north, the Luo River to the south, Hulao Pass to the east, and Hangu Pass to the west. Surrounded by mountains, with the Luoyang Plain in the center, and the Yi, Luo, Chan, and Jian Rivers flowing through it, it is both strategically important and scenically beautiful, with fertile soil, a moderate climate, and convenient water transport.

Therefore, since ancient times, eight dynasties—Xia, Shang, Eastern Zhou, Eastern Han, Cao Wei, Western Jin, Northern Wei, and Sui—have established their capitals here.

Known as the "Land of the Capital," Luoyang is a vital transportation hub and military stronghold, situated in the Central Plains and responding to all directions.

After Yang Guang ascended the throne, he chose Luoyang as the new capital.

The new imperial city was located between the Zhou Dynasty capital and the ancient Han-Wei capital, extending east beyond the Chan River, south across the Luo River, west to the Jian River, and north to the Mang Mountain. Its circumference exceeded fifty li, making

it a magnificent and imposing structure. Emperor Yang Guang then had a Grand Canal built, centered on Luoyang, connecting Hangzhou in the south to Zhuojun in the north, linking the Hai River, Yellow River, Huai River, Yangtze River, and Qiantang River—five major river systems—making Luoyang the central hub of transportation and commerce.

In a luxurious mansion west of Luoyang, in an exquisitely decorated study, a middle-aged man, around forty years old, slammed his fist on the table and roared angrily,

"You bunch of good-for-nothings! You bastards!" This man was imposing, exuding authority even without anger, clearly someone accustomed to giving orders. His eyes gleamed with a sharp light, his expression cold and ruthless, radiating an air of arrogance and dominance. The three kneeling figures before him hung their heads in silence, their faces showing a hint of grievance. "Do you know the enormity of your mistakes?" The man on the throne calmed down slightly, but his voice remained cold. The three kneeling men looked at each other, and finally the burly man in the middle spoke up: "Reporting to the Holy Envoy, I understand, but I absolutely refuse to admit this mistake!" "Oh! So you've wronged me?" The man on the throne seemed to be getting angry again. "I wouldn't dare! My spies from Lingnan and I were acting on the Holy Envoy's orders. The Holy Envoy also knows that our plan had just begun when that Yuan disappeared without a trace. Moreover, we later inquired with the Dongming clan, and they said they witnessed Yuan flying away on a sword. Furthermore, not only us, but all the other major powers have also lost contact with Yuan since then." " Bullshit! Even the 'Holy Venerable,' a celestial being with unparalleled cultivation, didn't ascend to immortality. What makes that brat Yuan think he is?" the man on the throne cursed angrily. "The Holy Envoy should have heard Yuan's roar that day, and I thought..." "That was sorcery! This Holy Envoy received news from Jiangdu that Yuan fought a great battle with Yuwen Huaji on the banks of the Danyang River. Yuwen Huaji only suffered some injuries, and it was only under the combined attack of Yuan and the 'Rakshasa Woman' that Yuwen Huaji was forced to defeat. What is Yuwen Huaji? If Yuan is truly powerful, why would he join forces with the 'Rakshasa Woman'? And why would he let Yuwen Huaji escape?" "But I really..." The person kneeling on the ground still tried to argue. "You have failed in your duty and failed to complete the mission. Go and prepare to be punished according to the 'rules' at dusk!" Upon hearing this, the three kneeling men broke out in a cold sweat and trembled. The burly man on the right even lost control of his bladder on the spot! It can be inferred that these 'rules' are exceptionally terrifying! With a command from the man on the seat, three men in black flashed in from outside the door and expressionlessly took the three kneeling men away. "Sigh..." The man seated sighed deeply. "Your Excellency, there's no need for such sighs. Doesn't Abbot Shui still have tasks to assign?" A strange, neither-male-nor-female voice came from behind the screen in the room; just hearing the voice sent chills down one's spine. "Rong Xuan, you don't need to comfort me. I feel like everything has gone against our expectations this time! Before, we thought everything was under control." The man seated glanced at the screen not far away. "Is Your Excellency afraid that the 'Holy Venerable' will punish you after he emerges from seclusion?" The voice from behind the screen spoke again. "Punishment is only one aspect. I am willing to accept punishment for my dereliction of duty. I am only afraid that our grand plan, which we have been plotting for so many years, will be ruined before it is about to succeed!" "Holy Envoy, there is no need to be so harsh. The disappearance of that Yuan fellow was indeed unexpected. Although I do not believe in the so-called 'becoming an immortal,' it is a fact that no one in the world has any news about him. So, the 'Lingnan' plan has gone wrong, which is not a big deal, as long as Abbot Shui handles things properly. In addition, with the 'Holy Venerable' coming in person after emerging from seclusion, the He Shi Bi will surely be in the hands of our 'Holy Sect.' At that time, those surnamed Yuan and Song will only have one way out: death!" "There is one thing I have never understood. Why did the 'Holy Venerable' know that the He Shi Bi was in Cihang Jingzhai? We could have seized it by force much earlier! Why did he wait until it was sent to Luoyang before taking action?" A fierce glint flashed in the eyes of the man on the seat as he spoke. “Rong Xuan isn’t entirely sure either. He only vaguely heard the ‘Holy Venerable’ mention that there seems to be someone on Mount Emei who practices a technique specifically designed to counter our ‘Holy Sect’s’ unique skills. So, the plan is to first reveal the He Shi Bi jade, letting other forces make their move first, and then we will wait for our opportunity to strike.” The man on the seat nodded silently, his gaze turning to the window, lost in thought. That night, Fu Junzhuo lay alone in her room, tossing and turning, her mind filled with the image of Yuan Yueze. She wanted to sneak away, but always couldn’t bear to leave at the last moment. She was even more unsure of Yuan Yueze’s feelings for her: could he be heartless? Yet he was unusually caring towards her, even guiding her to break through the sixth level of the “Nine Profound Great Technique,” a breakthrough she hadn’t achieved in years, and letting her enter the bracelet every day to live that idyllic life. Could he be affectionate? Yet he had always been very polite to her, and their relationship hadn’t progressed much. Fu Junzhuo felt a surge of resentment: “If only he were more proactive! I wouldn’t refuse! It would also let me know his feelings!”

Tonight, Yuan Yueze would be spending time with his group of beautiful wives again. Fu Junzhuo, having been harassed several times by the "demonic sound" within the bracelet, had no choice but to take her leave and rest on the boat outside. However, overwhelmed by various emotions, she couldn't sleep. Fu Junzhuo looked at the night outside the window, got up, and went to the shore to feel the cool breeze and clear her head.

Walking alone on the riverbank, Fu Junzhuo suddenly felt incredibly tired, not just physically, but also mentally. She was just a woman, a single person. Yet she had to bear the weight of national righteousness, coming alone to the Central Plains and causing chaos. In the past few days, for the first time, she doubted her own actions: Was what she was doing what she truly wanted to do? Was this the life she had longed for?

Fu Junzhuo's mind was in turmoil when she suddenly felt a powerful, chilling energy piercing towards her from her right. She immediately met it with her 'Yuxu Sword'. With a loud

"whoosh,"

Fu Junzhuo staggered back several steps, her arm numb and her blood churning from the shock of the arrow that had just struck her. She cursed herself inwardly for her carelessness; she had been so lost in thought that she hadn't even noticed someone approaching.

"Who goes there! You cowardly rat hiding your head in the sand! Show yourself!"

Fu Junzhuo said coldly.

"Hehe, Rakshasa woman, obediently surrender and take me to the 'Yang Gong Treasure Vault.' If I'm in a good mood, I might not only spare your life but also take you as a concubine!"

A deep, resonant male voice rang out, and then nine masked men emerged from the woods.

Under the moonlight, the face of the leader, the one who had just spoken, was obscured by a veil, but Fu Junzhuo was still deeply shocked. The leader's cultivation was clearly no less than hers; he was tall and burly, and his eyes gleamed with a sinister light that seemed capable of bewitching souls. The men behind her all looked the same, seemingly having cultivated some kind of evil art.

"You rats, seemingly skilled, yet all you know is sneak attacks! Do you know what chance you have if you alert the people on the Song Clan's ship on the shore?"

Fu Junzhuo, though alarmed, remained calm.

"The Song Clan? Hahaha, Rakshasa, have you lost your mind? Look where you are now!"

the leader laughed loudly.

Fu Junzhuo looked around, her heart growing colder. Lost in her thoughts, she had unknowingly strayed far from the shore. Even if she shouted, the people on the Song Clan's ship might not hear her.

"I've waited three whole days since you boarded the Song Clan's ship! When I capture you, you'll have to make it up to me!"

The leader, though seemingly a hero, spoke only vulgarities.

"You all just need to stand by and watch, I'll personally capture her!"

the leading man ordered the others around him.

With that, he leaped into the air, like a flying general, pouncing towards Fu Junzhuo. His left palm, imbued with a chilling aura, aimed directly at Fu Junzhuo's shoulder.

"Such profound internal martial arts cultivation! But the evil energy is too heavy!"

Fu Junzhuo thought to herself, her 'Imperial Void Sword' swiftly meeting the attack. The two energies collided, pressing a large crater over ten feet wide into the ground.

"The Rakshasa woman truly lives up to her name! Take another move from my 'Extreme Evil Moon Breaker'!"

the man roared after finishing his stance, unleashing several wheel-shaped energy balls formed from condensed internal energy, striking Fu Junzhuo from four directions: up, down, left, and right. The force was powerful and exceptionally domineering.

Fu Junzhuo used her sword as a shield, the silver sword light swirling around her, like a giant chess piece, repelling the energy balls! Swiftly, she shifted from defense to offense with lightning speed, her sword tip aimed directly at the man's left eye.

The man reacted with astonishing speed, twisting his waist to dodge, then turning and lunging forward, aiming straight for Fu Junzhuo's vulnerable waist!

A chilling, malevolent energy rushed towards her. Fu Junzhuo dodged to the side, but the cold energy still grazed her abdomen.

"Heh, you think you're so great just because you withstood sixty percent of my 'Evil Extreme Moon Breaker'? Surrender obediently!"

the man sneered.

"Indeed powerful. This person's cultivation is probably above mine! What's his background? I must finish this quickly!"

Fu Junzhuo thought to herself.

With that thought, Fu Junzhuo's body spun rapidly, her Void-Controlling Sword flashing like a tornado, relentlessly stabbing at the man's crown, throat, heart, and abdomen—a series of vital points. It seemed she wouldn't stop until she had riddled him with holes!

The man's expression was

grave. He closed his eyes and suddenly roared, unleashing all his protective inner strength. With just this sinister energy, he forced back all of Fu Junzhuo's attacks, demonstrating the immense power of his inner strength! The two separated again. Fu Junzhuo was in extremely bad shape; the evil energy had entered her body. She had to circulate her internal energy to resist its invasion while simultaneously dealing with the highly skilled man before her.

"Boom!"

A figure descended from the sky, landing between Fu Junzhuo and the man, forcefully pressing two deep craters into the ground!

Yuan Yueze had arrived!

"Junzhuo, why are you running around like this? What if something happens?"

Yuan Yueze seemed to completely ignore the people in front of him, speaking only to Fu Junzhuo with a reproachful tone.

Fu Junzhuo was about to reply when she saw the ignored man behind Yuan Yueze launch an attack, his left hand forming a palm blade, aimed straight for Yuan Yueze's throat!

"Young Master Yuan, be careful!"

Fu Junzhuo hurriedly shouted.

Yuan Yueze sensed a sharp, chilling aura rushing towards him from behind, so he turned around, gathering true energy in his right palm to meet it!

"Boom!"

A loud crash echoed, and the attacker was sent flying back two zhang.

"Do you know the consequences of violating my greatest taboo?"

Yuan Yueze said calmly, his voice as ethereal as celestial music drifting from beyond the heavens.

"You, surnamed Yuan, cease your arrogance! Brothers, attack together!"

the man shouted.

The eight men behind him also rushed forward, surrounding Yuan Yueze.

"Attack!"

the man shouted again, and he and the eight men charged forward together. In an instant, countless fists, claws, fingers, palms, and elbows rained down on Yuan Yueze like a dark cloud.

Yuan Yueze sneered, his left hand radiating a powerful, heavy energy. His right hand radiated a soft, yielding energy, as free and flexible as water.

With a burst of powerful energy from both palms, two fist energies, seemingly capable of tearing through space, distorted the air and forcefully pushed back eight people. The two on his left coughed up blood and collapsed to the ground, their fates unknown.

Seeing casualties in a single exchange, the man was enraged and roared, "You, surnamed Yuan! Take my 'Evil Star Piercing the Sun'!"

His right hand transformed into a finger sword, the sinister energy within it incredibly powerful, thrusting forward with lightning speed, aiming straight for Yuan Yueze's brow. The finger sword, mid-air, suddenly multiplied into a sky full of finger shadows, overwhelming Yuan Yueze.

Yuan Yueze didn't even glance at it, completely ignoring the man's rapid change of attack. His left hand formed a palm, and he slashed down with incredible speed.

"Boom!"

The sky full of finger shadows immediately dissipated. After the perfectly executed palm strike, without a trace of artifice, Yuan Yueze suddenly sprang up, transforming into a wisp of smoke, and unleashed a punch at the man who was still tumbling backward.

The remaining men around him had caught their breath. They saw that Yuan Yueze's punch not only felt as light as cotton, but also seemed to have neither generated any wind nor any power. However, they still dared not be careless and immediately rushed towards Yuan Yueze from different directions.

Suddenly, a muffled tearing sound rang out as Yuan Yueze's fist, suspended in mid-air, unleashed a fierce and unparalleled burst of energy, transforming into several fist shadows that struck enemies in various directions!

The attack was too powerful; the man could only muster all his protective black aura to defend himself.

"Bang!"

With a loud crash, all the enemies were sent flying backward. Yuan Yueze's attack seemed to strike all the surrounding enemies simultaneously!

The man in black, forced back by Yuan Yueze's punch, retreated rapidly, blood trickling from his mouth as he shouted, "Brothers, let's go!" "

Want to leave? Not so easy!"

Yuan Yueze laughed.

Seeing this, the remaining six injured men in the arena all retreated, rushing in the direction the man had fled.

Yuan Yueze sneered, his figure flashing, striking first despite being behind, unleashing dozens of palm strikes in the blink of an eye, each attack coming from different angles. Each strike was exquisitely precise, seemingly intentional yet unintentional, both entertaining and extremely dangerous. This move allowed one person to fight against multiple opponents. The fleeing individuals all felt a sense of foreboding, as they were all running in the same direction. Thus, Yuan Yueze's powerful attack was effective against them all.

A large area of space was completely ripped apart, forming a unique energy field. The fleeing individuals were pulled by this field and couldn't dodge; all they could do was block!

Screams of agony erupted.

Yuan Yueze's gaze fell upon two dark figures who had still managed to escape. He was about to use his lightness skill to give chase when he heard a cry of pain behind him. He

quickly turned around and saw that someone had suddenly experienced internal energy imbalance and was crying out in pain.

Yuan Yueze rushed to her side. Fu Junzhuo had just been invaded by the evil energy and, captivated by the scene before her, had forgotten to regulate her breathing. The strange energy had penetrated deep into her internal organs, causing her to cry out in pain. Yuan Yueze hurriedly moved to her side, patted her back, and helped her expel the evil energy from her body. When she looked up again, the two figures had long since vanished.

"Junzhuo, are you alright? Damn it, two of them got away. I wonder who they are!"

Yuan Yueze said angrily.

"I don't know what kind of cultivation technique these people practice! It's extremely sinister and domineering. After invading the meridians, it seems to corrode the human body! It's all thanks to your timely help, young master."

Seeing how worried Yuan Yueze was about her, Fu Junzhuo spoke up.

"It's not hard to find out their origins. Aren't there two people who fainted over there?"

Yuan Yueze pointed to a distance. Looking over there, he was immediately dumbfounded.

Where were they? The two people who had just fainted had long since disappeared.

Looking at Fu Junzhuo, he saw that she looked blank. Yuan Yueze knew that he had suffered a great loss this time.

"This was a huge failure! But they probably won't give up. Next time we meet, I'll repay them a hundredfold!"

Yuan Yueze said to the distance.

"Junzhuo, why did you run out alone? If I hadn't sensed that you were in danger, you might have suffered even greater harm if I had come any later!"

Yuan Yueze said.

"I...I couldn't sleep, so I came out for a walk. Who knew I'd wander so far from the boat?"

Fu Junzhuo answered, her eyes darting around.

"Luckily you weren't seriously injured, otherwise I would have chased those people to the ends of the earth and killed them!"

"Let's go back to the boat,"

Yuan Yueze said.

"Young Master Yuan...could you...could you walk with me for a bit?" Fu

Junzhuo asked shyly.

"Of course, why are you acting so strangely?" Yuan Yueze

took Fu Junzhuo's hand.

Fu Junzhuo felt the warmth from Yuan Yueze's hand again, and two blushes rose on her pretty face. Luckily, it was night, so it was hard to notice unless you were looking closely.

The two strolled along the riverbank, chatting idly.

"Junzhuo, have you been troubled by something these past few days? You seem quite depressed, as if something's bothering you?"

Yuan Yueze asked.

"No...nothing..."

Fu Junzhuo stammered.

"You say no? Judging from your current state, you definitely are! If it's convenient, you can tell me. Although I'm sometimes a bit slow to react, I'm definitely a good listener. You'll feel much better once you've said it all! Seeing you like this, we're worried about you too,"

Yuan Yueze said with a smile.

"Why are you Han Chinese?"

Fu Junzhuo's voice was low, as if she were speaking to Yuan Yueze, or perhaps just murmuring to herself.

"Ha, to be honest, I don't even know which ethnicity I'm from! I only know that my master took me in when I was four years old,"

Yuan Yueze laughed.

Then, as if he had thought of something, he took Fu Junzhuo's other hand and asked her face to face, "Is Junzhuo feeling depressed because I'm Han Chinese?"

Fu Junzhuo didn't dare to look up, only letting out a soft "Mmm" that was even lower than a mosquito's hum. "Then, does Junzhuo have feelings for me, Yuan?"

Yuan Yueze asked again.

Fu Junzhuo dared not answer him! She lowered her head tightly in embarrassment. Her delicate body trembled slightly!

"Why won't you answer me?"

Yuan Yueze pressed.

Fu Junzhuo suddenly raised her head, straining to look at Yuan Yueze. She was tall, only about half a head shorter than Yuan Yueze, so she didn't need to look up much to meet his gaze.

Seeing Fu Junzhuo staring at him, her face flushed, her eyes practically brimming with tears, and her lips tightly pressed together, Yuan Yueze was sure he deserved a scolding if he still didn't understand what was going on.

With his right hand gently around Fu Junzhuo's slender waist, Yuan Yueze pulled her into his arms. "I thought Junzhuo didn't have any romantic feelings for me! I already have several wives. What woman in the world doesn't want a complete husband? I thought Junzhuo was homesick these past few days! Turns out it's because of me that she's acting like this!"

Fu Junzhuo nestled in Yuan Yueze's arms like a frightened little bird. Hearing his words, she began to sob, her small fists raining down on his chest. "I don't care about those things! I'm a woman, I should be reserved! Who knew you'd be like a block of wood!"

"Come, let's sit down and talk it over!"

Yuan Yueze sat down, placed Fu Junzhuo on his lap, and hugged her tightly.

Although there were only the two of them in this situation, Fu Junzhuo was still incredibly shy. At this moment, she was completely devoid of any trace of her cold and ruthless "Rakshasa woman" persona!

"When did Junzhuo begin to have feelings for me?"

Yuan Yueze asked, looking at Fu Junzhuo, whose pretty face was pressed tightly against his chest.

"About half a year ago, I heard you shout for Sister Meixian in Korea, and that sparked my curiosity. My master said at the time, 'I am no match for this person.' My master has always been invincible in my eyes, and hearing him admit defeat made me even more eager to meet you. Later, when I entered the 'Yang Gong Treasure Vault,' I was stunned by the empty vault and your message. You are like a god descended to earth, as if there is nothing you don't know! My curiosity only grew stronger then. Later, I heard that you were chosen as a son-in-law by 'Heavenly Blade,' and I was somewhat disappointed. Finally, as if by fate, I met you. At first, I wasn't as shocked as I was after learning your identity, because the two women beside you were much more beautiful than Junzhuo. But after learning your identity, Junzhuo knew that she would never have another man in her heart again."

“To be honest, I like Junzhuo very much too, but I’m afraid it will put you in a difficult position. After all, you value racial differences very much, while I don’t care about such things at all. Junzhuo must be conflicted and don’t know what to do. If you come with me, you’re afraid your master will object. But you want to leave, yet you can’t bear to, right?”

“Yes, your master hates Han people. Junzhuo doesn’t know how to go back to face him now. He raised you and taught you skills, and you’ve long considered him your own father.”

“Now that I know Junzhuo’s feelings, you don’t need to worry about anything else. We’ve been in the Central Plains for too long, so we can go to Goryeo and I will personally propose to him. Junzhuo just needs to wait for her father-in-law to come out of the pass and be the bride at the wedding!”

Yuan Yueze said with a smile.

“You…you really have a way to persuade your master?”

Fu Junzhuo still looked worried.

"If Master Fu knew all my secrets, he would surely betroth Junzhuo to me!"

Yuan Yueze replied confidently.

"Your secrets? Yes! Nobody knows yet, they only know you're incredibly capable, like a god. Now you can tell them, right?"

Fu Junzhuo said sweetly, like a young girl.

"If I told you my secrets, you probably wouldn't believe me! Because they're too shocking!"

Yuan Yueze sighed.

"Everyone believes you, so just tell me,"

Fu Junzhuo began to whine.

Yuan Yueze smiled at her and told her his background in detail. The result was the same as everyone else who learned of his past for the first time. Fu Junzhuo stared blankly at Yuan Yueze for almost a quarter of an hour before she came to her senses. She stretched out her slender arms and hugged Yuan Yueze tightly, her voice trembling slightly as she said, "So the man I, Fu Junzhuo, have fallen for is no ordinary man! No wonder he possesses such astonishing abilities! No wonder 'Heavenly Blade' still betrothed her most beloved daughter to you even after you already had several wives, no wonder the daughter of 'Flying Horse Ranch' abandoned everything to follow you to the ends of the earth!"

"Haha, that's all in the past. Now I'm just physically stronger than ordinary people! Let's go, we should go back. Zhizhi just came with me out of the bracelet and is waiting for us on the ship!"

Yuan Yueze lightly kissed Fu Junzhuo's forehead and laughed.

Fu Junzhuo, blushing, was led by Yuan Yueze towards the large ship in the distance. When they were still a few feet away from the ship, Fu Junzhuo suddenly stopped.

Yuan Yueze looked at her curiously: "What's wrong?"

"Sister Meixian and the others... won't they accept me?"

Fu Junzhuo stammered shyly.

"No, don't you know what kind of person Meixian is? She and Zhenzhen are both gentle and kind, while Zhizhi, Wanjing, and Ruyin are always causing trouble. I'll talk to Xiuxun, you don't need to worry."

Yuan Yueze comforted her.

"Does Sister Xiuxun dislike me? She's been very enthusiastic these past few days!"

Fu Junzhuo said.

Yuan Yueze laughed and told Fu Junzhuo about how Song Yuzhi had "taken over" before Shang Xiuxun married into the family, causing Shang Xiuxun to be extremely jealous these past few days. Fu Junzhuo giggled as she listened.

"Let's go, go inside and wake Zhizhi, and then pull Meixian and the others out. We'll discuss it and then head to Goryeo for a trip!"

Yuan Yueze sighed and took Fu Junzhuo's hand, leading her towards the boat.

Chapter 017 Trip to Goryeo

Song Yuzhi is currently the only one among Yuan Yueze's wives who hasn't learned martial arts.

Even after developing an extraordinary physique, she still doesn't want to learn. It's her personality. From childhood, Song Yuzhi has had an extreme aversion to bloodshed; her ideal is to advocate peace.

Even though her father, whom countless martial arts masters wanted to learn from, wanted to personally teach her, she refused, demonstrating a glimpse into Song Yuzhi's character. Song Yuzhi also understands that with her current physique, self-defense is absolutely no problem. Yuan Yueze knows this as well, so he doesn't force Song Yuzhi to learn martial arts.

Tonight, Yuan Yueze and the women had a wild party, exhausting them to the point of ecstasy. As he lay contentedly in bed, Yuan Yueze suddenly felt a stirring in his mind, sensing that some trouble was about to befall him. The still-conscious Shan Meixian and Song Yuzhi quickly calmed him down. After careful thought, Shan Meixian realized the key: the person inside the bracelet would definitely be alright! Then only Fu Junzhuo outside the bracelet or the Song Clan members were in danger!

Yuan Yueze told the two women to lie down and rest, then hurriedly went out to check on them. Song Yuzhi, finding Shan Meixian's analysis reasonable and also worried about the Song Clan members, followed Yuan Yueze out.

Seeing that the Song Clan members were all safe and sound, Song Yuzhi breathed a sigh of relief. Yuan Yueze went to the Twin Dragon Gate, where he could hear the breathing of the twin dragons. Then he went to Fu Junzhuo's room, but there was no sound inside. Yuan Yueze's heart tightened. After comforting Song Yuzhi for a few words, he flew out, which is why he could 'descend' again at Fu Junzhuo's critical moment!

At the beginning of Yin hour, the sky was already slightly bright. Yuan Yueze took the shy Fu Junzhuo's hand and entered the cabin where Song Yuzhi was staying.

Upon seeing this, Song Yuzhi naturally understood what had happened. She then teased Fu Junzhuo.

Amidst the commotion, Fu Junzhuo seemed to remember something: "Young Master Yuan... I've noticed you seem to be avoiding Xiao Zhong and Xiao Ling. What's the reason?"

For the past three days, Yuan Yueze hadn't personally visited the twin dragons. With plenty of food and drink on the Song clan's ship, the twin dragons were simply enjoying their stay. Moreover, with Fu Junzhuo constantly guiding them in their practice of the 'Nine Profound Great Technique,' they were living a carefree life. Fu Junzhuo understood something from Yuan Yueze's behavior, hence her question.

"I don't want my presence to affect their own life paths. You should know that those two lads are truly one in a million in talent; given time, they will surely astound the world. More importantly, my personality is too different from theirs, our life paths are different, and our pursuits are even more different,"

Yuan Yueze answered directly.

"So, let them soar freely!"

Song Yuzhi chimed in from the side.

Fu Junzhuo nodded silently.

After chatting for a while longer, as dawn broke, Yuan Yueze woke the women for breakfast. He then told them about his upcoming trip to Goryeo, which naturally delighted them. While they hadn't truly explored all the major cities of the Central Plains, they had never even been to Goryeo.

After briefly explaining things to Song Qiang, Yuan Yueze and the women departed gracefully. Those who had met him on Song Qiang's ship exclaimed, "This son-in-law is truly dashing!"

The Twin Dragons, impressed by Yuan Yueze's straightforward words, realized their current pursuits and life paths were vastly different from his, so they didn't say much, bidding him a carefree farewell and embarking on their solitary cultivation journey.

Previously, Fu Junzhuo was an outsider to Yuan Yueze's family, but now that their relationship was clear, she could gradually get along well with them on her journey, which filled her with indescribable joy.

That evening, under the women's knowing glances, Yuan Yueze was ushered into Shang Xiuxun's room.

Upon entering the room, Yuan Yueze saw Shang Xiuxun draped in a light gauze, highlighting her exquisite figure. She sat gracefully beside the coffee table, one hand supporting her chin, seemingly lost in thought. Her natural beauty captivated Yuan Yueze, drawing him in completely, until he too was mesmerized.

Hearing soft footsteps approach, Shang Xiuxun slowly turned around. Seeing Yuan Yueze standing there staring at her in a daze, her face flushed, and she rushed into his arms, a fragrant breeze wafting through the air. She tightly embraced his strong waist, feeling the warmth of his chest.

Yuan Yueze, in turn, wrapped one arm around her waist and placed the other on her shoulder, pulling her close. Neither of them spoke, simply savoring the tender feeling.

After a while, Comrade "Little Ze," unwilling to be ignored, became restless. Feeling an unusual heat rising from her lower body, Shang Xiuxun blushed and her breathing quickened. In the past few days, she had secretly "learned" a lot from Shan Meixian and Song Yuzhi, and could be said to know a lot about matters between men and women. However, she was now like Yuan Yueze in the past, only knowing the theory and not the practice.

"Senior brother... can you carry Xiuxun to the bed... to the bed?"

Shang Xiuxun's pretty face was too shy to leave Yuan Yueze's chest, and she whispered.

"Xiuxun, don't be naughty, you haven't been..."

Yuan Yueze laughed.

"She left last night!"

Shang Xiuxun still hummed softly in Yuan Yueze's arms.

"I see, no wonder Meixian and the others wanted me to come over tonight!"

Yuan Yueze suddenly realized.

After speaking, Yuan Yueze gently lifted the pretty face of the beauty in his arms. With tender eyes, Yuan Yueze gazed intently at Shang Xiuxun's beautiful face. Her exquisite features were flushed, and her large, bright eyes shimmered with passionate love. Her delicate, full nose and glistening red lips...

Yuan Yueze was once again captivated.

After her head was lifted, Shang Xiuxun was too shy to open her eyes. A moment later, sensing no further movement from Yuan Yueze, she secretly pried open her phoenix eyes. Seeing him staring at her in a daze, Shang Xiuxun again closed her eyes tightly in embarrassment, her breathing becoming heavy, her body trembling slightly, and her proud breasts heaving.

Upon seeing this, Yuan Yueze drew his large lips to Shang Xiuxun's red lips. A fragrant aroma wafted into his nostrils, and his tongue lingered briefly on Shang Xiuxun's pearly teeth before "prying in" and skillfully exploring her clumsy little lip. Shang Xiuxun could no longer restrain herself; she simply clung tightly to Yuan Yueze, pressing her own lip against his, a soft moan escaping her throat. Lost in ecstasy, two streams of hot tears slid down her delicate face.

"Xiuxun, what's wrong? Did I hurt you?"

Yuan Yueze, sensing the salty taste on his lips, opened his eyes and, seeing Shang Xiuxun's tear-streaked face, quickly released her and asked.

"No… Xiuxun is about to give her everything to her senior brother, Xiuxun is so happy she can't contain herself."

Shang Xiuxun's face was streaked with tears, yet her smile was one of happiness and anticipation. Her words revealed boundless love and longing for Yuan Yueze.

Yuan Yueze was deeply moved. The title of "King of Theory" was long gone. Now, even if Yuan Yueze were foolish or slow-witted, he wouldn't fail to understand the depth of Shang Xiuxun's love for him! The only thing Yuan Yueze could do was express his feelings through actions.

Thinking this, Yuan Yueze picked up Shang Xiuxun and placed her on the bed, whispering, "Xiuxun will be happier than any other woman in the world!"

Shang Xiuxun's heart raced, her delicate body trembling violently. She softly responded, then gripped the pillow tightly with her jade-like hands, no longer daring to open her eyes.

After quickly removing their clothes, Yuan Yueze was once again captivated by the beautiful scene before him. Shang Xiuxun's naturally beautiful figure and snow-white, soft skin appeared incredibly smooth and alluring under the lamplight. Her full, erect breasts were large and soft, firm yet not sagging; her rounded, slender legs were fair and smooth, plump and well-proportioned; her rounded, firm buttocks had delicate texture and soft curves. Her charming and beautiful face was stunning, alluring, and full of mature charm. Her sexy red lips were slightly parted, sweet and tempting. Yuan Yueze cupped her face in his hands, then brought his mouth close and kissed her. The heavy breathing and warm lips made Shang Xiuxun lose herself in a daze; his invading tongue forcefully pried open her closed teeth and entered her wet mouth. Shang Xiuxun involuntarily curled her fragrant tongue and began to "battle" with Yuan Yueze. Their tongues intertwined and touched closely. In the back and forth, Shang Xiuxun's tongue was often passionately sucked by Yuan Yueze. Shang Xiuxun was completely intoxicated by the passionate kiss, her desire overflowing. Her delicate hands had somehow found their way to the fiery, burning heat of his massive, thick spear. The intense, scalding touch made Shang Xiuxun let out a faint moan.

Yuan Yueze knew the time was right. His hands roamed freely over her fiery, perfect body, making her moans even more melodious and alluring. He mounted her, and Shang Xiuxun, her mind hazy, involuntarily parted her long, jade-like legs, exposing her sparsely haired sanctuary to Yuan Yueze, seemingly inviting him to thrust into her overflowing, love-soaked cave. With a mere thrust of his hips, Yuan Yueze's enormous member gradually sank half an inch into her flower path, demonstrating the extent of Shang Xiuxun's overflowing desire.

As the massive member thrust deeper, Shang Xiuxun felt her emptiness being filled inch by inch. The sensation was so exquisite it made her dizzy with pleasure—a strange yet intense fullness and heat that made her even more aroused, her slender waist involuntarily twisting in response.

Suddenly, a sharp pain shot through her lower body, and a powerful sensation of fullness, mixed with pain and burning, seized her, causing Shang Xiuxun to let out

a soft moan, "Ah!" Unable to resist, she tightly embraced Yuan Yueze's strong body. It turned out that Yuan Yueze's spear had broken through Shang Xiuxun's hymen, and specks of blood bloomed on the white sheets.

Despite her rich theoretical knowledge, Shang Xiuxun was still a virgin. The pain of being deflowered by Yuan Yueze's terrifying spear was unbearable. However, under his gentle aphrodisiac techniques, Shang Xiuxun's body and mind were already overwhelmed by lust. The intense pain disappeared instantly, and after the pain, a strong pleasure surged in her brain. Her delicate jade cave was forcefully stretched open by Yuan Yueze's spear. Her flesh walls tightly and intimately embraced the spear shaft stained with her deflowering blood, and involuntarily began to writhe. Shang Xiuxun was even more passionate, her limbs wrapping tightly around Yuan Yueze's tiger body like an octopus, and dreamlike moans escaped her lips.

"Husband, it feels so strange... It hurts so much... yet it's also tingly and numb..."

He had initially thought she might not be able to handle his enormous, erect penis, but seeing her reaction after losing her virginity—so clingy and eager—he figured theoretical knowledge must have played a role. Of course, the unique pleasure derived from the fusion of body and soul also played a part. Glancing at the red-tinged fluid seeping from their joined bodies, Yuan Yueze slowly thrust his penis deeper into her alluring flesh.

After a brief pause, Shang Xiuxun began to gently twist her delicate body, as if annoyed that he hadn't made a move yet. Yuan Yueze lowered his head and kissed her two pink nipples, each the size of a red bean and as erect as a rock, caressing them with familiar and smooth movements. As the pressure and rhythm of his touch changed, the bright and beautiful woman blushed crimson, as if she could drip water. Her scattered and dreamy eyes showed that she had entered the state. With soft moans, her beautiful body trembled uncontrollably, and she cried out in a daze, "Senior brother... Xiuxun is so... so sad..."

Yuan Yueze bit her nipple again, and his lower body began to move, but instead of thrusting, he gently twisted his waist, scraping and rotating his penis inside her jade cave. Yuan Yueze felt that her tender flower path was different from others, full of strong suction, tightly holding his penis. The feeling of being attracted was so sweet that Yuan Yueze temporarily suppressed the urge to thrust, wanting to enjoy it properly first.

His gentle, rubbing motion was unbearable for Shang Xiuxun. Her jade-like opening was being rubbed bit by bit, as if every inch of her tender flesh was coming alive, being thoroughly enjoyed by Yuan Yueze. The movements weren't intense, but the sensation, reaching straight to her heart, was both tingling and sweet. Waves of tingling, sour, soft, and numb sensations washed over her, so much so that before she could even savor one wave, another would invade. Just as she was beginning to experience the next wave of pleasure, the previous one had already passed. The sensation was so exquisite that she could no longer resist. Her long, slender legs tightly wrapped around Yuan Yueze's waist, her delicate hands gripping his back, and she couldn't help but let out heartfelt moans.

"Senior brother, stop rubbing... Xiuxun is so uncomfortable... I'm going to die... numb... sore... it's killing me!"

Seeing her so engrossed, an alluring blush rose on her jade-like face, her breasts blossomed like cherries, and her eyes and brows were full of spring passion. Yuan Yueze chuckled and began to thrust in and out. Shang Xiuxun's wet jade cave began to gush out a pool of spring water. The feeling of her flesh walls and the depths of her jade cave being rubbed was even more intense than before. Her small mouth kept moaning, the beautiful sounds like celestial music from the world, intoxicating.

As Yuan Yueze's movements quickened and his hands never stopped caressing her, Shang Xiuxun, completely immersed in desire, thrust her hips forward, her movements becoming increasingly skillful. She tightly gripped Yuan Yueze's massive member, not letting it leave her for a moment, while twisting and grinding her slender waist left and right, sliding back and forth, letting the burning tip of his member tease and rub deep within her jade cave. This intensified her already aroused virginal passion, turning it into waves of fluid that flowed onto Yuan Yueze's legs and dripped onto the sheets.

At some point, Shang Xiuxun tilted her head back forcefully, her slender hands lightly pressing against Yuan Yueze's chest, proudly displaying her aroused body to her lover. Forgetting the pain, she writhed joyfully beneath Yuan Yueze, passionately offering her body. The twisting of her waist grew larger and larger, clearly enjoying the sweet pleasure of lovemaking.

"Senior brother, faster...faster. So...so good..."

Hearing her moans, Yuan Yueze removed his hands from her sweat-drenched waist, grasping each of her bouncing breasts before him, caressing and playing with them to his heart's content. With his large hands on her breasts, the desire that had been burning within her suddenly intensified, becoming a three-pronged attack. How could Shang Xiuxun withstand this? Her lust burned even more fiercely. Her two alluring nipples swelled to the point of ache, appearing even more alluring and seductive under Yuan Yueze's large hands.

"Senior brother...Xiuxun is going to die...die!"

Shang Xiuxun screamed as if her soul had left her body, her jade-like hands tightly gripping Yuan Yueze's back, as if trying to merge herself into his body. Her slender waist arched desperately, her delicate body trembling violently.

She had just lost her virginity, and Yuan Yueze's few thrusts had already given her a great pleasure. In less than the time it takes to drink half a cup of tea, her yin essence was already stirring, and her desire suddenly burst forth. In the midst of her overall bliss, she felt a strange tingling

sensation in her lower body, and her lustful fluids gushed out from her jade cave. She trembled with pleasure, her whole body completely limp, only able to pant softly. Sensing that she had already climaxed, the cool, tingling yin essence splashed onto the tip of his penis, causing Yuan Yueze to gasp sharply. Fortunately, his body was strong, and he did not have the urge to ejaculate immediately. He stopped and looked at Shang Xiuxun. He saw that her eyes were filled with seductive light, her cherry lips were panting lightly, her hair was wet, and her beautiful eyes were hazy. Her flawless body was glowing with a thin layer of light, which was especially alluring. In addition, the blush brought on by passion still lingered on her body, making her truly captivating.

The woman was at her most beautiful, like this, languidly basking in the afterglow of her climax. Moreover, Shang Xiuxun was already a stunning beauty, and after releasing her yin essence, she was even more breathtaking. Yuan Yueze, who hadn't looked, was now even more aroused. Although Shang Xiuxun appeared exceptionally healthy and full of energy, she was actually so exhausted after just this one time that she couldn't even move a little finger. Seeing this, Yuan Yueze, fearing she would harm herself, forcefully suppressed his still "proud" member, pulled Shang Xiuxun into his arms, and gently comforted her.

Finally surrendering herself entirely to her beloved, Shang Xiuxun nestled joyfully in Yuan Yueze's arms, savoring the warmth.

Afterwards, still unable to suppress her desire for her refined body, she and Shan Meixian, whom Yuan Yueze had summoned, "joined forces." The two women, panting heavily, finally pushed Yuan Yueze to his breaking point.

Exhausted, Shan Meixian could only lean on Yuan Yueze, standing beside him at the bedside to protect Shang Xiuxun.

Shang Xiuxun's refining process took a considerable amount of time, a full three hours. When she opened her eyes again, Shang Xiuxun felt incredibly refreshed, her senses exceptionally clear. Turning her eyes to look at Yuan Yueze and Shan Meixian beside her, whose eyes held a hint of anxiety, Shang Xiuxun's face blossomed into a radiant smile, captivating both of them.

"Bang!"

The door was flung open, and Shan Wanjing and the other women rushed in. Upon seeing Shang Xiuxun lying on the bed, they involuntarily gasped, their beautiful eyes fixed on her with disbelief.

Upon seeing the women suddenly enter, Shang Xiuxun immediately blushed. Seeing their surprised expressions, she realized it must be the body refinement that made her even more outstanding. She quickly wrapped herself in the blanket, ignoring the pain from her wounds, and ran to the mirror. The moment she saw herself, she gasped, covering her cherry-like mouth with her delicate hands, staring blankly at her reflection. The blanket, no longer supporting her, slipped to the floor.

The most striking change in Shang Xiuxun's appearance was her skin. Her once healthy wheat-colored skin had been refined to be supple, delicate, and as white as jade. The removal of impurities from her body had only slightly altered her features, making her even more perfect. Especially with her entire body exposed before the mirror, her already alluring figure was now indescribably beautiful. Combined with her unique blend of mature charm and ethereal grace, even a fairy from a painting couldn't compare! After refining, Shan Meixian and the other women were already incredibly beautiful, but Shang Xiuxun, after refining, was even more so! Perhaps this was related to their different foundations!

"Ah!"

After a moment of stunned silence, Shang Xiuxun realized that she was standing naked in front of the mirror, being stared at by the people in the room. She quickly screamed, picked up the blanket from the floor, and tried to cover herself up, looking quite embarrassed.

Shan Wanjing and Song Yuzhi and the other women came up with a barrage of congratulations, and Shang Xiuxun calmed down and joined in their playful banter.

Yuan Yueze and Shan Meixian watched the playful antics, but Shan Meixian caught a glimpse of Fu Junzhuo's resentful expression and couldn't help but sigh inwardly: her husband was going to be busy!

Afterward, the group had breakfast and continued their journey towards Pyongyang, sightseeing as they went.

According to the timeline, this trip would take at least two months to reach Goryeo. Although it had taken a while, Yuan Yueze and the women didn't mind. Their original purpose was simply to travel and have fun, enjoying their freedom.

The group had been traveling for eleven days, and Yuan Yueze had only held hands with Fu Junzhuo and given her a few light kisses, without taking anything more intimate. Fu Junzhuo's resentful expression grew heavier each day.

That night, the group had reached the Pengcheng area. At Shan Meixian's suggestion, they decided to set up tents and experience living in the wild again.

There were only two tents, one large and one small; the smaller one was naturally prepared for Fu Junzhuo. After dinner, Fu Junzhuo didn't say much and silently returned to her tent. Strangely, the "devilish sound" she had become accustomed to coming from next door hadn't arrived yet. Fu Junzhuo's feelings were complicated. She picked up her sword, stepped out of her tent, stood before it, sword in hand, staring at the bright moon in the sky, her heart filled with mixed emotions.

Over the past few days, Yuan Yueze had noticed that Fu Junzhuo was often absent-minded, clearly preoccupied. How could his sometimes clever, sometimes slow-witted mind easily grasp the delicate feelings of a young woman?

Today, after assigning tents, seeing Fu Junzhuo's unusually low spirits, he told the other women to rest while he went to talk to her. Amidst the women's teasing glances, Yuan Yueze inexplicably stepped outside the tent.

Not far away, the serene moonlight beautifully illuminated Fu Junzhuo's tall, graceful, and spirited figure. Bathed in the pure white moonlight, Fu Junzhuo, dressed in snow-white robes, resembled a reincarnated Valkyrie.

"A beautiful woman stands under the moonlight, alone with a sword, roaming the martial world!"

Yuan Yueze approached, sincerely praising her.

Hearing Yuan Yueze's familiar voice, Fu Junzhuo, lost in thought, trembled and turned around. A hint of surprise flashed across her face, then quickly faded: "Young Master Yuan, aren't you going to keep the ladies company?"

The bitterness in her tone was palpable.

Yuan Yueze was taken aback, then chuckled, "You hold the same place in my heart as they do. Keeping them company doesn't mean I can forget about keeping you company! Besides, why don't you change how you address me? What are you calling me!"

Fu Junzhuo blushed, fell silent, and turned away, continuing to present her back to Yuan Yueze.

Yuan Yueze stepped forward and embraced Fu Junzhuo's flat stomach: "Junzhuo, do you also want to refine your body quickly? Meixian and the others say I'm sometimes a bit dull. Do you feel I've neglected you?"

Fu Junzhuo's delicate body trembled slightly, still remaining silent. She simply turned around, nestled in front of Yuan Yueze, and began to sob softly. The tears she had held back for so long could no longer be held back.

Feeling the beauty's attachment to him in his arms, Yuan Yueze couldn't help but curse himself inwardly: Why is it that sometimes my brain is like a block of wood?

He smelled the faint fragrance emanating from Fu Junzhuo, an elegant scent like lilies, which was somewhat intoxicating. Her breasts pressed against Yuan Yueze's chest, soft and comfortable. A surge of intoxicating pleasure welled up, making his blood boil. After a few gentle caresses, Yuan Yueze whispered a few words in Fu Junzhuo's ear, and Fu Junzhuo nodded shyly.

Yuan Yueze kissed Fu Junzhuo's lips as he carried her into the tent. Fu Junzhuo was lost in passion, her face flushed red, only able to respond to him with her shy, tender lips. Once on the mat, Yuan Yueze placed her on his lap and continued kissing her lips. His large hands began to unbutton her clothes, one button at a time. Fu Junzhuo was exceptionally compliant, her slender arms wrapped around his neck, completely immersed in the passionate kiss. Yuan Yueze gently pulled open her clothes, then the ribbon at the back of her bodice, and a pair of firm and beautiful breasts immediately appeared. A chill ran down her chest, and Fu Junzhuo realized that her upper body was completely exposed. She felt incredibly shy; her full, firm breasts were exposed to the air, exposed to Yuan Yueze's gaze. Yuan Yueze released her mouth, his eyes fixed on her breasts. Fu Junzhuo's breasts stood proudly firm, even more dazzling under the lamplight. Yuan Yueze's heart pounded, and he couldn't resist reaching out his right hand and gently pressing it against her high, firm left breast. His fingers pressed together, applying slight pressure, he felt the breast's elasticity and the smooth, silky skin—a wonderfully luxurious feel. Fu Junzhuo's body trembled slightly, her head pressed against his neck, emitting a soft moan, her breathing quickening. As Yuan Yueze's movements became more vigorous, Fu Junzhuo's body shuddered violently, and her moans grew louder.

One hand caressed her alluring breasts, while Yuan Yueze used his other to untie her belt, slipping it inside her underpants before slowly moving towards her thighs. Fu Junzhuo's heart pounded, her body limp, her breath sweet and fragrant, mingling with the scent of orchids and musk as it brushed against Yuan Yueze's neck. Yuan Yueze turned and kissed her again, his large hand already grasping her full, smooth, and elastic buttocks, kneading and squeezing them. Fu Junzhuo's face flushed crimson, her breathing rapid; her supple body clearly couldn't resist Yuan Yueze's teasing. His large hand moved further, reaching between Fu Junzhuo's legs, which she had kept tightly closed in shyness. Fu Junzhuo felt Yuan Yueze's nimble yet electrifying fingers directly rubbing against her clitoris. The unprecedentedly fiery teasing caused Fu Junzhuo to moan in a daze. As Yuan Yueze's fingers pressed and rubbed against her tender flesh, a wave of heat rose from Fu Junzhuo's lower abdomen. Her lips, pressed tightly against his burning fingers, involuntarily contracted.

Gently laying her down, Yuan Yueze carefully removed the last bit of clothing covering her lower body, completely exposing Fu Junzhuo's genitals to his gaze. She trembled, afraid to open her eyes, clinging desperately to his back, feeling Yuan Yueze's strange hands roaming through her thick pubic hair, slowly sliding towards her vulva.

While kissing her two nipples, engorged with excitement, Yuan Yueze skillfully teased the garden beneath her thick pubic hair with his fingers; that garden was already overflowing with moisture. Yuan Yueze extended his middle finger, gliding it over her clitoris, his entire finger deeply embedding itself in her tender flesh. A sensation she had never experienced before surged through her brain; Fu Junzhuo's mind went blank, and she could vaguely hear sweet moans emanating from her own mouth.

Yuan Yueze pressed his fingertips against her vulva, gently rubbing and stimulating Fu Junzhuo's slightly engorged clitoris and swollen labia. The comprehensive and balanced stimulation of her lower body was both pleasurable and strange, filling Fu Junzhuo with an unknown anticipation. Yuan Yueze's fingers moved through the increasing vaginal fluid, stimulating Fu Junzhuo with a tingling, pleasurable sensation, causing her legs to weaken and her muscles to go numb, letting out soft moans. His fingertips probed slightly into her vulva, gently pushing against her hymen. The realistic sensation of penetration made the virgin Fu Junzhuo tremble all over, her face flushed crimson, her eyes hazy, her teeth lightly biting her lower lip, her delicate nose wrinkling shyly. She would sometimes slightly open her mouth, sometimes gently twist her body, a languid and pleasurable spring passion emanating from her entire being.

Hearing Fu Junzhuo's moans turn into discomfort, Yuan Yueze knew it was time to mount her. His large hand lingered on her incredibly wet and tender flesh, gently squeezing it twice before he quickly rose and undressed, revealing his powerful muscles and enormous member. Fu Junzhuo felt the pleasure lessen and slightly opened her phoenix eyes, just in time to see that terrifyingly large thing. A shiver ran through her, and she stammered, "Husband..."

Yuan Yueze gently lay on top of her, smiling, "It will hurt a little at first, but it will be fine in a while, Junzhuo, don't be afraid."

With his movements, his hot member pressed against the entrance of Fu Junzhuo's delicate jade cave. She couldn't help but shudder, nodding slightly before closing her eyes again. After a series of gentle caresses, Yuan Yueze spread her two round, smooth buttocks apart, and with a thrust of his hips, the tip of his thick, long member entered Fu Junzhuo's red, moist crevice.

"Ah!"

With drops of blood, Fu Junzhuo let out a piercing groan, feeling as if her body was being torn apart. An unbearable pain surged through her, like a tsunami, from her honeypot. Her waist tensed, her arms clinging tightly to Yuan Yueze, her nails almost digging into his flesh.

Yuan Yueze began to caress her softly, his long spear slowly plunging into her already lubricated, tight jade pot.

Gradually, she adapted to the immense fullness, her flower path yearning for the movement of the spear.

Yuan Yueze slowly began to move.

After the storm came the rainbow.

Fu Junzhuo could no longer feel the pain, only a wonderful pleasure filling her heart. Her honeypot was tingling and numb from the large spear, a very pleasurable sensation. Finally, she had won the love of the man she desired, offering her virginity. Fu Junzhuo's long-suppressed pleasure erupted, and she moaned softly beneath Yuan Yueze.

Clearly feeling the increasing flow of lustful fluid from her tight flower passage, Yuan Yueze gradually increased his force.

"Ah... ooh..."

His spear continued to thrust in and out of her jade cave, each thrust sending a sharp slap to Fu Junzhuo's cervix. The intense pleasure instantly spread throughout her body, causing Fu Junzhuo's body to convulse violently, her desire burning even more fiercely.

Yuan Yueze felt incredibly comfortable. Fu Junzhuo's jade cave was incredibly tight; the moment his spear entered, the flesh walls immediately gripped it tightly. Her tender clitoris began to writhe irregularly, rubbing intimately against the invading giant. Her uterus seemed to suck and release like a small mouth, the sensation exquisite enough to drive any man mad. As he increased the intensity of his movements, he slipped a hand between her legs and began to knead her clitoris, which was erect with excitement. This intensified Fu Junzhuo's pleasure, causing her to moan incessantly, a truly intoxicating experience.

With each thrust faster and harder than the last, Yuan Yueze's thrusts left only half his glans inside her vagina before plunging in completely, as if trying to force his testicles into Fu Junzhuo's body. His large member brought forth waves of hot, sweet fluid, warming and moistening her body, which gradually contracted and tightened. As the pleasure from Yuan Yueze's relentless thrusting intensified, Fu Junzhuo no longer had the strength to scream, only able to let out soft moans. Her beautiful face swayed, her long hair flying wildly, some still clinging to her sweaty cheeks, making her indescribably alluring. Fu Junzhuo

's stamina was extraordinary; after hundreds of thrusts, she still hadn't reached climax. Excited, Yuan Yueze thrust relentlessly, his lower abdomen slapping against her red buttocks, causing her flesh to tremble.

"Ah!"

After several hundred more thrusts, Fu Junzhuo let out a scream, finally reaching her first orgasm. Her delicate body trembled violently, her slender waist arched forcefully, her jade legs tightly clamped around Yuan Yueze's waist, her flower entrance tightly gripping the base of his penis, her soft clitoris embracing the glans and sucking vigorously. Then, her clitoris spurted out cool nectar, all of it spraying onto the sensitive glans. Yuan Yueze felt so comfortable that every pore on his body seemed to breathe.

Fu Junzhuo's physique was excellent; she was exceptionally "endurable" even on her first try, and on her second attempt, she lasted for nearly two quarters of an hour. Finally, she was forced to "surrender." To help her refine her body, Yuan Yueze had to call Shan Meixian for help again. Ironically, Shan Meixian became a witness to the "first time" of several women. However, the other women loved to join in the fun. Even Wei Zhenzhen, who preferred quiet, was forcibly dragged into Fu Junzhuo's room. Thus, the large tent was empty, while the smaller tent was packed with people.

Fu Junzhuo watched shyly as her sisters moaned and sang amidst Yuan Yueze's endless array of techniques. Finally, she too was aroused once more, and without hesitation, they fought again.

Ultimately, Yuan Yueze erupted within Fu Junzhuo, and she began the refining process. The

result of this refining process was equally astonishing. She was already twenty-seven years old; in this era, a twenty-seven-year-old woman usually had children in their teens. Yet, Fu Junzhuo had never found a man who could capture her heart, thus delaying her marriage. Meeting Yuan Yueze, Fu Junzhuo's body returned to that of an eighteen or nineteen-year-old. All impurities were gone, revealing a beauty that could topple kingdoms. With her wish fulfilled, Fu Junzhuo felt boundless satisfaction.

Shang Xiuxun wasn't particularly interested in martial arts, so she simply followed Wei Zhenzhen and learned her "Plain Maiden Sword Technique." Fu Junzhuo, on the other hand, had an extraordinary passion for martial arts since childhood. She had deciphered a "Divine Sword Control Technique" from the "Wordless True Scripture." According to Fu Junzhuo, this technique had three levels: controlling the sword with qi, heart, and spirit. It sounded rather terrifying.

Afterwards, the group continued their leisurely journey, while Shang Xiuxun and Fu Junzhuo would stop whenever they had free time to seriously practice their martial arts. Shang Xiuxun's progress was slow due to her laziness, while Fu Junzhuo, relying on her physical advantages, reached the intermediate stage of controlling the sword with qi within nine days, leaving Yuan Yueze and the other girls in awe.

In the days that followed, some practiced, others fooled around, and life was quite pleasant.

More than two months later, the group finally arrived at the border of Pyongyang.

In 37 BC, Jumong, a nobleman from the Buyeo Kingdom, established the Goguryeo Kingdom in the Jolbon region.

The *Samguk Sagi* (History of the Three Kingdoms) offers two accounts of Jumong's founding of the kingdom. One account states that Jumong and his entourage "arrived at the Jolbon River, and seeing its fertile soil and formidable mountains and rivers, decided to establish their capital there. However, they did not have time to build palaces, but instead built huts on the banks of the Boiling River. The kingdom was named Goguryeo, and the king took Go as his surname."

Another account states that "Jumong arrived at Jolbon Buyeo. The king had no son, and seeing Jumong, recognized him as an extraordinary man, and married his daughter to him. The king died, and Jumong succeeded to the throne."

The second account is more plausible. When Jumong arrived in the Jolbon region, a kingdom already existed there, namely Jolbon Buyeo. The king of Jolbon Buyeo, recognizing Jumong's talent, designated him as his successor. After the death of the king of Jolbon Buyeo, Jumong changed the kingdom's name to Goguryeo, reorganized the state structure, and strengthened its power.

Although Emperor Yang of Sui's three expeditions against Goguryeo all ended in failure, they brought immense disaster to Goguryeo, causing political instability and dividing the country into two factions: those advocating internal affairs and those advocating external affairs. At this time, the Korean Peninsula consisted of three relatively powerful military states: Goguryeo, Baekje, and Silla. The internal faction advocated consolidating their strength to eliminate the other two states before seizing an opportunity to invade the Central Plains. The external faction, on the other hand, believed they should take advantage of the chaos in the Central Plains to invade, both to avenge their defeat and, even if they couldn't seize territory, to plunder vast resources to strengthen themselves, before targeting the other two states. Both sides held their ground, and the situation remained deadlocked.

Experiencing the customs and culture of Goguryeo, so different from those of the Central Plains, Yuan Yueze and the women found it all very novel. Due to the ravages of war and its own slow development, Goguryeo's level of civilization and material living standards were far inferior to those of the Central Plains.

Since entering the world, Yuan Yueze had never personally witnessed the lives of the poor, but from the moment he set foot on Goryeo territory, he saw it for himself.

Aren't the people there human?

Yuan Yueze was inherently a soft-hearted and extremely kind person, and at this moment, for the first time, he questioned his past attitude towards life: "Am I just looking out for myself? I have the ability to conquer the world! But I don't have the ability to govern it! Shouldn't I do something? Not for posterity's praise, but just to put my mind at ease!"

Suddenly, Yuan Yueze snapped out of his reverie. He sensed the aura of a master! Growing stronger! He exchanged a glance with Shan Meixian and nodded simultaneously. Yuan Yueze knew that the highest cultivation level in his family was currently between Shan Meixian and him. Shan Meixian's spiritual power was even higher than Yuan Yueze's, and the mysterious aura stirred Yuan Yueze's competitive spirit once more.

"This must be the feeling emanating from the 'Master of Chess and Sword'!"

Yuan Yueze thought to himself.

Led by Fu Junzhuo, Yuan Yueze and his companions soon came into view of the magnificent "Yijian Pavilion" in the distance. The "Yijian Pavilion" stood alone, adjacent to Pyongyang City, demonstrating Fu Cailin's almost divine status in the hearts of the Goryeo royal family and the common people.

Looking further, an artificial river meandered through the plains, surrounded by pear trees, creating a serene and tranquil scene, untouched by worldly dust. This grand complex seemed like a secluded paradise, a celestial palace transported to earth.

Upon arriving at the gates of the "Yijian Pavilion," they were stopped by two guards: "Who goes there? Please stop and state your name!"

The two burly men guarding the "Yijian Pavilion" were stunned by the sight of the man and seven women before them, feeling as if they were celestial beings. After glancing at the eight people and finding none familiar, they asked...

"Xuanming, don't you recognize me?"

Fu Junzhuo asked with a smile.

"You...you're Senior Sister?"

Jin Xuanming asked in surprise. The voice of the woman before him, who resembled a fairy, was indeed that of the cold and aloof Senior Sister, and her appearance was somewhat similar to before, but how could she have changed so much? When did Senior Sister become so smiling and cheerful?

"It's me. Alright, we need to go in and pay our respects to Master. We have distinguished guests, please make way."

Fu Junzhuo knew that she had changed so much that even Jin Xuanming, who had known her for almost twenty years, didn't recognize her.

Jin Xuanming nodded in agreement, his mind filled with questions, but he didn't dare to be negligent. He quickly opened the door and let Yuan Yueze and his group into the "Yijian Pavilion," while the other person went back to report the news.

Yuan Yueze and the women strolled around and saw that the "Yijian Pavilion" was indeed a beautiful and picturesque place, with various flowers, trees, and babbling brooks, combined with unique architectural styles—truly a wonderful place for health and wellness!

"Senior Sister!"

Before they even reached the towering, magnificent pavilion directly ahead, a slightly childlike female voice rang out, filled with surprise and delight.

A white figure rushed towards them, only to suddenly stop a few feet in front of Yuan Yueze and the others. She looked at the group of eight with a mixture of surprise and confusion. After glancing left and right at Yuan Yueze and the others several times, the girl finally fixed her gaze on Fu Junzhuo, asking with a hint of doubt, "Senior Sister?"

"Junqiang, you don't even recognize me?"

Fu Junzhuo chuckled.

Hearing that familiar voice, the girl who had rushed towards them threw herself into Fu Junzhuo's arms: "Senior Sister, I missed you so much! Xuanfeng came to tell Master you were back, and I couldn't help but run out to greet you first!"

Yuan Yueze and the other girls also carefully observed Fu Junqiang. She was about sixteen or seventeen years old, with a delicate beauty like a blooming peony. Her long, jet-black hair cascaded down her back, flowing freely and gracefully in the wind and snow. Her figure was also beautiful and tall, with an elegant and charming demeanor. Beneath her long, crescent-shaped eyelashes, her bright and clear eyes sparkled, making her breathtakingly beautiful. Her soft eye sockets accentuated the brightness of her eyes, and beneath her straight and delicate nose, her full, red lips, often smiling, made her even more exquisite, with a touch of childlike innocence.

"Truly, 'She is praised as unparalleled in beauty, possessing the most exquisite fragrance in the world!'"

Yuan Yueze praised with a smile.

Fu Junqiang was still snuggling in Fu Junzhuo's arms, how could she not be happy to hear Yuan Yueze utter such moving verses praising her? Excitedly, she turned to Yuan Yueze and asked sweetly, "Who are you? Why did you come back with Senior Sister? And Senior Sister, you've changed so much! I almost didn't recognize you!"

Just as Fu Junzhuo was about to answer, a loud voice rang out, "Junzhuo, bring our distinguished guests in!"

At this moment, Yuan Yueze and the others were still quite far from the distant pavilion, but the voice seemed to ring right in their ears.

Fu Junzhuo turned to Yuan Yueze and the others and said, "Let's go in."

With that, she pulled the still puzzled Fu Junqiang towards the pavilion.

The group entered the pavilion and found it unusually simple. The room had only simple decorations around the edges. In the center was a large, round wooden table with a censer with rising smoke and an ancient, unsheathed longsword. The sword was four feet five inches long and two inches wide, its blade gleaming with a faint blue light. The hilt and guard were covered with mother-of-pearl patterns, its design elegant and archaic.

A tall, imposing man sat with his back to the outside, completely still, like a rock, exuding an extraordinary aura of authority. Beside him stood a woman in white, her appearance nine-tenths similar to Fu Junzhuo's, her aloofness like a snow lotus from the Tianshan Mountains.

The group slowly approached, but Fu Cailin remained motionless. His entire being was as still as the deepest abyss, or as vast and boundless as the heavens. Everything around him seemed to have vanished, presenting a vacuum capable of encompassing infinite space!

Having personally experienced Fu Cailin's powerful aura, Yuan Yueze coughed lightly, and the surroundings returned to normal.

"I am Yuan Yueze, and my wife and I have come to pay our respects to Master Fu!"

Yuan Yueze announced loudly, bowing.

The woman beside Fu Cailin had been astonished since Yuan Yueze and his companions entered. The men were handsome and elegant, their bearing ethereal. The woman was even more dazzling, like a fairy from a painting, noble and pure. Especially one of the women, whose beauty seemed otherworldly; no amount of carefully chosen words could capture her allure! She was utterly astonished by her senior sister's dramatic transformation, and upon hearing Yuan Yueze introduce himself, the usually aloof woman finally showed emotion, her face etched with shock! Fu Junqiang, beside Fu Junzhuo, also intently scrutinized Yuan Yueze with her large, bright eyes. Fu Cailin, upon hearing Yuan Yueze's

name, trembled slightly, rose gently, and slowly turned around.

Yuan Yueze and the others finally saw the true face of this "Master of the Swordsmanship," one of the "Three Grandmasters."

Fu Cailin's face, ancient and simple yet resembling a painted immortal, was calm and serene, her eyes shining like stars, deep and boundless, seemingly able to see through people's hearts and understand all things, possessing extraordinary wisdom.

Fu Cailin's gaze first fell on Fu Junzhuo, clearly recognizing her by her aura, yet a hint of surprise and doubt still flickered in his eyes. His gaze then swept over the others, his eyes shining even brighter. His eyes even lingered briefly on Shang Xiuxun. Afterward, he focused all his attention on Yuan Yueze, a look of admiration on his face.

After a moment of silence, Fu Cailin spoke, "So it's Young Master Yuan! Please, everyone, take your seats."

Shan Meixian and the other women bowed and followed Yuan Yueze to their seats. The aloof woman beside him, her face now devoid of any coldness, personally served fragrant tea before returning to Fu Cailin's side, her eyes filled with curiosity as she stared at Yuan Yueze.

"May I ask what brings

Young Master Yuan and his ladies here?" Fu Cailin asked after taking a sip of tea.

"I came here originally for one thing, but having witnessed Master Fu's brilliance today, my purpose has become twofold!"

Yuan Yueze replied with a faint smile.

"Oh? What was the original purpose? How did it become two separate matters?"

Fu Cailin asked with a half-smile.

"Originally, I came here only for Jun Zhuo, but after experiencing Master Fu's cultivation, I suddenly wanted to spar with you!" Yuan Yueze

hadn't gained much in terms of 'mind' or 'skill' from his duel with Song Que. Song Que could only guide Yuan Yueze with 'intention,' because swords and sabers are different. But Fu Cailin was a grandmaster of swordsmanship. How could Yuan Yueze miss a duel with him? He could enjoy the thrill and personally comprehend the essence of swordsmanship—a win-win situation.

"Rumor has it that you once fought 'Heavenly Blade,' but the result is unknown to outsiders. Could you tell me the outcome of that duel?"

Fu Cailin asked instead of answering.

“I did indeed spar with my father-in-law, but not once, but twice, though outsiders are unaware of it. Since Master is interested, my wives have all witnessed those two matches; let them recount them.”

Yuan Yueze spread his palms, pointing to Shan Meixian and the other women, introducing them to Fu Cailin one by one.

Fu Cailin was moved to hear that among the women were the once-famous Dongming Madam, the daughter of 'Heavenly Blade,' the head of the Song Clan, one of the four great clans, and Shang Xiuxun, the daughter of the Pegasus Ranch. At this moment, although Yuan Yueze had no interest in fame or fortune, the forces behind him were already quite formidable.

“My name is Song Yuzhi, my father is Song Que. Please allow me to explain the process and outcome of those two matches to Master.”

Song Yuzhi, who had been polite since childhood, spoke with grace and poise.

Fu Cailin nodded secretly: This woman truly lives up to the reputation of 'Heavenly Blade'!

“My husband suddenly arrived in Songjia Mountain City a little over a month ago. He was invited by my father to a duel. Before that duel, he knew absolutely no moves or techniques, but during the fight, he spontaneously gleaned sword intent from my father's saber techniques, ultimately achieving a draw. Half a month later, my father achieved another breakthrough, reaching the ‘Swordless Realm,’ and fought my husband again. Despite my husband's best efforts, he couldn't defeat my father. In the end, my father emerged victorious.”

Song Yuzhi recounted the story in detail. Hearing about Fu Cailin and Fu Junyu, Fu Junqiang's understanding was far more complex.

Who was this “Heavenly Saber”? A renowned figure in the martial arts world for decades, Yuan Yueze had actually managed to fight Song Que to a draw for the first time, and even comprehend sword intent from saber techniques in battle—what strength, what talent!

Even a master like Fu Cailin, with his exceptional cultivation, was completely unsurprised by the outcome of the second duel based solely on the description. He then asked, "Improved on the spot, mastering the sword from the saber?"

It wasn't that he doubted Yuan Yueze, but it was simply hard to believe that a master like Song Que could have fought Yuan Yueze to a draw in the first duel.

Yuan Yueze nodded.

Shan Meixian chimed in, "Actually, the first duel wasn't exactly a draw; to be precise, the clan leader lost. Because my husband's body isn't like an ordinary person's, he could withstand the clan leader's blade and recover in just a few days. But if my husband's sword had actually pierced the clan leader's body, he would have needed at least a month or two of rest. However, these are all just hypothetical scenarios, and the final result can only be considered a draw."

Song Yuzhi also said, "The sword techniques that my husband initially comprehended on the spot did indeed pose a challenge for my father, but he adapted much better after a while. Therefore, in the second duel, all of my husband's unusual moves were ineffective."

"There are so many rumors about Young Master Yuan that it's impossible to tell which are true! But seeing how much Junzhuo has changed, I suppose it's all thanks to Young Master Yuan?"

Fu Cailin nodded, not intending to dwell on the matter of the duel any longer, and glanced at Fu Junzhuo with a hint of doubt.

Fu Cailin shared the same question as Song Que initially: since Yuan Yueze could transmit his voice throughout the world using only his internal energy, such a powerful ability should be enough to defeat Song Que even without any special techniques, right? But how could he know about Yuan Yueze's complicated past?

And Fu Junzhuo, from any angle, looked like a young, unmarried woman, with a touch of ethereal beauty. Yet, there was also a woman's unique charm mixed in, how could Fu Cailin not be suspicious? Moreover, from the beginning, Fu Cailin had sensed that there was no trace of the 'Nine Profound Great Technique' within Fu Junzhuo's body, but rather a completely unfamiliar sword energy.

“Master Fu must have many questions. We are here for sightseeing and are not in a hurry to leave. Let Junzhuo answer your questions personally,”

Yuan Yueze said, glancing at Fu Junzhuo.

“That’s fine. Please stay at my humble abode for a few days, Young Master Yuan and your wife,”

Fu Cailin added. He had too many questions to answer, so he needed Fu Junzhuo to explain them in detail.

Leaving Fu Junzhuo, Fu Cailin, Fu Junyu, and Fu Junqiang behind, Yuan Yueze led the women out the door. As he turned to close the door, Yuan Yueze’s voice rang out again: “Regardless of Master Fu’s thoughts after hearing about my background, I still ask Master Fu to fight me!”

Chapter 018 The Game Without a Game

The next day, the sun was high in the sky.

After waking up, Yuan Yueze and the women tasted Wei Zhenzhen’s cooking and praised it highly. Until Fu Junzhuo came to find them in person.

"Junzhuo, did you talk all night? Come, have something to eat first!"

Shan Meixian pulled Fu Junzhuo aside and said, "How did Master Fu feel after hearing it?"

"Master and my two junior sisters were very surprised. Master then asked me about the incantation for the 'Sword Control Divine Technique.' After I told him, Master closed his eyes and didn't say anything more. Could something have happened?"

Fu Junzhuo looked at Yuan Yueze with some concern.

"This should just be a martial artist's exploration and pursuit of the martial arts. It should be fine!"

Yuan Yueze replied casually.

After the meal, Fu Junzhuo took Yuan Yueze to the "Yijian Pavilion" to visit Fu Cailin.

Under the "instigation" of Shan Wanjing and Song Yuzhi, the other girls decided to disguise themselves and go out to explore Pyongyang. Only the quiet Shan Meixian and Wei Zhenzhen stayed with Yuan Yueze.

Upon entering the pavilion again, Fu Cailin sat with his two disciples. Their faces were somewhat pale, but their eyes showed no signs of fatigue.

"You've arrived! Please sit down."

Fu Cailin's voice rang out, though his breath was weak.

Yuan Yueze couldn't understand how someone of Fu Cailin's cultivation could be like this after several days and nights without rest. His pale face was clearly a result of disordered breathing. He immediately flashed behind him, channeling his vital energy into Fu Cailin's body to help him calm down. Shan Meixian and Wei Zhenzhen, on the other hand, were helping the other two women restore their true energy.

"Should I call you a human or a god?"

Fu Cailin asked with a half-smile.

"Master Fu, feel free to call me whatever you like. Even calling me a 'ghost' wouldn't matter. It's just a title, no need to be so concerned. Besides, I'm practically a monster right now,"

Yuan Yueze laughed.

"If it were any other time, I would never agree to give Jun Zhuo to you, because you are Han Chinese. But things are different now. You are no longer mortals. I will give Jun Zhuo all the freedom to choose, and she is willing to..."

Fu Cailin chuckled at Yuan Yueze's amusing words, but he didn't finish his sentence. Everyone present understood what he meant.

"Master!"

Fu Junzhuo showed extraordinary respect to Fu Cailin. Hearing Fu Cailin's promise, she was so overjoyed that she threw herself into his arms and sobbed.

Shan Meixian and Wei Zhenzhen quickly comforted her. Fu Junyu and Fu Junqiang looked at Fu Junzhuo with envy, occasionally stealing glances at Yuan Yueze.

After regaining her composure, Fu Junzhuo hurriedly pulled Yuan Yueze to bow to Fu Cailin. Yuan Yueze didn't understand these ancient etiquettes at all, but since Fu Cailin was Fu Junzhuo's elder, he followed her lead. Just

as Yuan Yueze was about to kneel, Fu Cailin, who hadn't moved an inch since yesterday, suddenly appeared and helped him up before he could kneel: "It's enough that you have the intention; whether you bow or not doesn't matter."

He helped Yuan Yueze and Fu Junzhuo up, and the two returned to their seats. Fu Cailin let out a long sigh, cold sweat beading on his brow as he thought to himself, "If I were to accept a bow from you, this future great master, I don't know how many years I'd lose!

" "Did 'Heavenly Blade' receive your bow?"

Fu Cailin asked with a smile after sitting down.

"No, Father-in-law Song was about the same as Master Fu at the time. When I tried to kneel, he helped me up,"

Yuan Yueze said with some curiosity.

Fu Cailin thought to himself, "Just as I thought!"

"Master Fu, why are you both pale and breathing unsteadily?"

Shan Meixian asked.

"It's because of the 'Sword Control Divine Technique' that Jun Zhuo talked about last night. Jun Yu, Jun Qiang, and I were inevitably drawn to the incantation and started practicing it on our own, almost suffering a qi deviation and exploding to our deaths,"

Fu Cailin said with lingering fear.

"It's normal for martial artists to be interested in profound martial arts and be attracted to them. Master Fu, with your profound knowledge, it's impossible for you to suffer a qi deviation,"

Yuan Yueze said, also somewhat puzzled.

“Since we’re family now, I won’t stand on ceremony. I’ll call you ‘Xiao Ze,’ ‘Mei Xian,’ and ‘Zhen Zhen.’ What do you think?”

Fu Cailin said.

Yuan Yueze and the others smiled and nodded.

“It seems you don’t quite understand. Martial arts cultivation isn’t just about thinking and integrating knowledge with your mind. It also requires the simultaneous cultivation of body, mind, and technique. I quickly grasped the first level, ‘Controlling the Sword with Qi,’ but I’m nearing the limit my body can handle! As for the next level, ‘Controlling the Sword with the Mind,’ I’ve only scratched the surface. Going any deeper would surely cause my body to explode into essence and blood. I imagine Junyu and Junqiang are in the same boat, right? Your bodies are extraordinary, like a bottomless pool. Long-term practice will only continuously increase your vital energy, without any concern about overflowing.”

After explaining, Fu Cailin looked at Fu Junyu and Fu Junqiang, and both women nodded.

Yuan Yueze, realizing his own technique of absorbing the spiritual energy of heaven and earth was similar, nodded with a look of sudden understanding.

The other women, including Shan Meixian, did the same.

"Where are your other wives? Why is only Meixian and Yu Zhenzhen here today?"

Fu Cailin asked again.

Yuan Yueze explained briefly.

"What are your views on the Han Chinese of the Central Plains and the surrounding ethnic groups?"

Fu Cailin's questions came suddenly, seemingly

from nowhere. "To be honest, I've never divided 'ethnicity' as clearly as you do. My philosophy is simply that 'every race has good people and bad people,' so in my heart, there's only the distinction between 'good people' and 'bad people,' not ethnicity,"

Yuan Yueze laughed.

"According to Junzhuo, what kind of era is the one you live in, more than a thousand years later? Is 'ethnic division' severe? Or have they already merged?"

Fu Cailin asked.

"Although I was born in a later era, strictly speaking, my contact with that era is limited to various books and intelligence. According to the books, the various ethnic groups are still fighting fiercely, but it's much more stable than this era. This is because people in this era personally experienced war, personally felt the pain of being separated from their wives and children, and losing their homes, which accumulated into 'ethnic hatred.' This hatred is much stronger than in later generations, because later generations are not as turbulent as this era."

"This is due to human desires! It won't change much even a thousand years later. As long as there are people, the struggle will continue. Ozawa's idea is good, but it's very unrealistic in the face of 'human desires,'"

Fu Cailin sighed.

"Master Fu's idea is also somewhat unrealistic,"

Yuan Yueze interjected.

"Oh?"

Fu Cailin smiled, looking at Yuan Yueze curiously.

"Master Fu should understand that anyone, no matter how great their achievements or how high their status, can only be a ripple in the long river of history. Even the largest ripple cannot change the course of the river, nor can it alter its fate of merging into the sea. The law of survival for all living things in the mortal world remains unchanged for millennia: 'survival of the fittest.'"

Yuan Yueze could only offer the knowledge he had gleaned from various books.

"Are you saying that everything I'm doing now is in vain?"

Fu Cailin narrowed his eyes, staring at Yuan Yueze as he asked.

"Master Fu's efforts are for you to judge for yourself whether they are worthwhile or not. Whether they are futile or not should be determined by the results a hundred years from now, and is not a topic for us to discuss now."

After Yuan Yueze finished speaking, he closed his eyes and searched for the bracelet on his right wrist. After a moment, he opened his eyes again, and with a flick of his wrist, a thick book, "On the Origin of Species," appeared in his hand. He handed it to Fu Cailin and said, "This book was written by a 'genius' in the West more than a thousand years later. Although Master Fu may not be able to fully understand this book, he will certainly be able to grasp its general meaning. Please study it slowly later."

Upon hearing the words "survival of the fittest," Fu Cailin's brows furrowed, but then slowly relaxed. His eyes became somewhat vacant as he silently gazed out the window.

"Xiaoze is no ordinary person. Why doesn't he save the people from their suffering and bring peace to the world?"

Fu Cailin asked.

“I roughly understand Master Fu’s thoughts, but Master Fu should know that my ambitions lie elsewhere, and I lack the ability to govern the world. I also don’t particularly want to concern myself with the complexities of human affairs; these can be guided by the laws of nature.”

“Master Fu could actually break through the martial arts path, but he is bound by too many worldly matters and so-called ‘missions.’ Although he is a genius, having created the ‘Nine Profound Great Method’ which deeply understands the way of nature and the ‘Chess Sword Technique’ which allows him to anticipate the enemy’s moves, he has not used the way of nature to comprehend it, which has prevented his cultivation from reaching the Great Perfection.”

Yuan Yueze said.

“The way of nature… the way of nature…”

These four words seemed to keep echoing in Fu Cailin’s ears, but Fu Cailin still stared blankly out the window.

Suddenly, Fu Cailin’s eyes shone brightly, revealing a sharp brilliance. A few breaths later, his eyes became empty and lifeless again, and his essence, energy, and spirit seemed to have detached from his body. His mental state seemed to have entered a mysterious realm that others could not reach. At the same time, Yuan Yueze and the women present felt everything around them vanish, transforming into a vast, boundless black starry sky. Nothing else remained but the few people present.

A moment later, Fu Cailin slowly closed his eyes, then opened them again. His aura shifted once more, like the Heavenly Blade who had comprehended the 'forgetting both self and the blade' technique. Clearly, Fu Cailin had now reached the state of returning to simplicity.

"Congratulations, Master Fu, on your breakthrough again,"

Shan Meixian said.

"It's strange, but I feel that everything I've done over the past sixty years has gone against the natural order. Yet, no one has reminded me like Xiaoze did today. And just now, you successfully merged the 'Nine Profound Great Law' and the 'Chess Sword Technique,' which I've painstakingly tried to integrate over the years!"

Fu Cailin smiled at Shan Meixian and said.

"This is the true Master Fu,"

Yuan Yueze also smiled.

"So, what realm has Master reached now?"

Fu Junqiang asked curiously from the side.

“If the ‘Heavenly Blade’ after the breakthrough is ‘gaining the blade but forgetting the blade, a blade without a blade,’ then my current realm is ‘gaining the game but forgetting the game, a game without a game!’”

Fu Cailin looked at Fu Junqiang with a loving expression.

“Indeed, why confine swordsmanship to a small, limited chessboard? Why not place it within the infinite ‘grand chessboard’ of the entire natural world?”

Yuan Yueze also spoke up.

Immediately, Yuan Yueze took out a pill that radiated golden light, instantly filling the room with a refreshing fragrance, and handed it to Fu Cailin, saying, “This is a pill given to me by my master. It can help people restore their youth and increase their lifespan by ninety-nine eight hundred and ten years. Today, seeing that you have comprehended the Way of Nature, I give this pill to you. From now on, you can roam freely between heaven and earth.”

Fu Cailin and the two women, Fu Junyu and Fu Junqiang, became solemn. This was something even the emperor dreamed of! How could Fu Cailin not be moved by Yuan Yueze's easy gift to her!

Having just grasped the essence of nature from Yuan Yueze's words, Fu Cailin decided to travel throughout the Central Plains and Western Regions, indulging in the pleasures of nature. Now, having obtained this elixir, even with his high level of spiritual cultivation, his hands trembled uncontrollably.

Fu Junzhuo wore a satisfied smile. Meeting Yuan Yueze had brought about the greatest change in her life; she was content with everything, yet she couldn't let go of her master who had raised her for so many years. Now that Yuan Yueze had given her master the elixir, allowing her master to enjoy life even more, how could Fu Junzhuo not be moved! Tears welled up in Fu Junzhuo's beautiful eyes, her gaze filled with boundless love and gratitude as she looked at Yuan Yueze.

Fu Cailin hesitated slightly, not accepting the pills, and sighed, "Such a generous gift is truly unacceptable to this old man. I originally only had a few years of lifespan left, but after comprehending the Great Dao, I can live for more than ten years longer, which is enough for me to enjoy in the future."

The three Fu sisters, Fu Junzhuo and Fu Junzhuo, were all anxious. Yuan Yueze also insisted on handing over the pills and said with a smile, "I have 'snatched' Junzhuo, whom the master has carefully nurtured for many years. Consider these pills as a betrothal gift. Master Fu, you won't think this betrothal gift is too small and disdain to accept it, will you?"

Upon hearing this, a cunning glint flashed in Fu Cailin's eyes. He generously reached out and accepted the pills, saying, "Since it is a betrothal gift, this old man will not be polite. However, since Xiaoze's betrothal gift is too heavy, this old man will give Junyu and Junqiang to you instead!"

"Pfft!"

Yuan Yueze spat out a mouthful of tea directly at Fu Cailin opposite him. Fu Cailin had no aura, but the tea bounced off three inches in front of him.

"Master! What nonsense are you talking about!"

Fu Junyu gave Yuan Yueze a coquettish look, then lowered her head in embarrassment. Fu Junqiang, however, looked expectant.

Coughing for a long time after being choked, Yuan Yueze also looked awkwardly at Shan Meixian and the other women around him who were trying to suppress their laughter.

"Master Fu, this...this...you're being too hasty..."

Yuan Yueze stammered, unsure how to explain.

"Sigh, it seems that I, Xiaoze, don't think much of Junyu and Junqiang. There's a difference between humans and gods!"

Fu Cailin feigned regret, glancing at Yuan Yueze.

"No...no...Master Fu, you misunderstand. I've never considered myself a 'god,' nor did I mean to look down on my two junior sisters. It's just...it's just too sudden...and as you can see, I already have several wives..."

Yuan Yueze stammered his explanation, his words incoherent.

Seeing Yuan Yueze's awkward and helpless state, Shan Meixian smiled and said, "In that case, thank you very much, Master Fu, for acting as matchmaker. My husband is sometimes quite reserved, especially when it comes to women. I, Meixian, will agree to the marriage proposed by the master on his behalf, but we still need to ask for the wishes of the two young ladies. My husband never forces anyone, especially women."

After she finished speaking, everyone's eyes focused on Fu Junyu and Fu Junqiang. Yuan Yueze felt that Shan Meixian had agreed too hastily. Seeing that Shan Meixian was deliberately ignoring him, he had no choice but to turn his gaze to Fu Junyu and Fu Junqiang as well.

Fu Junyu and Fu Junqiang blushed under everyone's gaze. Regardless of whether Yuan Yueze was a god or not, his appearance, speech, and demeanor were all full of charm. Fu Junqiang was a little younger and did not understand much about matters of the heart. Fu Junyu was only five years younger than Fu Junzhuo. Although she hadn't experienced love herself, she understood far more than Fu Junqiang. At their first meeting, Yuan Yueze's handsome appearance and elegant demeanor were enough to captivate Fu Junyu's heart. Yesterday, after seeing Yuan Yueze enter with several ethereal women, including her senior sister Fu Junzhuo, the astute Fu Junyu guessed that this man had come for her senior sister. She had been curious about her senior sister's drastic change and why she was sharing a husband with other women. However, after hearing Yuan Yueze's name and listening to her senior sister's words about him throughout the night, Fu Junyu's previous doubts vanished.

While Yuan Yueze's status was enough to drive any woman mad, a woman in love clearly wouldn't care about such things. Hearing Fu Junzhuo say that Yuan Yueze doted on each of his wives, Fu Junyu couldn't help but envy her senior sister's discerning eye. Then, remembering the vow she and her senior sister had made to "marry the same man," Fu Junyu's feelings for Yuan Yueze began to blossom into love. Today, seeing Fu Cailin attain enlightenment and receiving the elixir, Fu Junyu was happy for her master. Hearing that her master had promised both her and her junior sister to this wondrous man, Fu Junyu felt a mixture of shyness and joy, even fear that Yuan Yueze's wives wouldn't accept her and her junior sister.

When Shan Meixian personally accepted them, Fu Junyu was overjoyed. Though still shy, she mustered her courage, raised her head, and blushed, said, "My sisters are all like fairies; I, a humble woman, am afraid I am unworthy of Young Master Yuan's attention."

Her words carried a hint of bitterness and uncertainty.

Yuan Yueze had just thought Fu Cailin's haste stemmed from his pursuit of "mutual affection," and hearing Fu Junyu's bittersweet words, he understood the underlying meaning. He then said, "In that case, I won't beat around the bush. If Junyu and Junqiang feel that I, Yuan Yueze, am someone they can rely on for life, and don't mind that I already have a family, then I welcome you to join our family. I will make sure you are happier than any other woman in the world!"

Hearing Yuan Yueze's promise, Fu Junyu and Fu Junqiang were overjoyed, lowering their heads shyly and happily. Fu Cailin stroked his beard and laughed heartily. He would certainly not want his two beloved disciples to be lonely and miserable when he traveled the world in the future. Fu Junzhuo was even happier that her two junior sisters could become her "sisters-in-arms." Shan Meixian and Wei Zhenzhen were also happy to see their husbands fulfill their "romantic destiny."

"Master will be able to go into seclusion to fuse the pills in a few days. I wonder if Master plans to stay at the 'Yijian Pavilion' for a long time afterward, or go out and travel?"

Yuan Yueze asked.

"I've decided to travel to the Central Plains, Persia, and the Western Regions in the future, and then explore even further west. Now that the three sisters, Junzhuo and her sister, are no longer a worry for me, I just want to enjoy life!"

Fu Cailin replied.

"I've discussed it with Father-in-law Song. Two years from now, when he emerges from seclusion, he will hold a grand wedding for us in Song Family Mountain City. Although I don't care about such formalities, a proper wedding is something every woman longs for in her life. If you could attend in person, Master, I'm sure the three sisters would be very happy." Fu

Cailin nodded.

"However, judging by the time, Father-in-law Song has been in seclusion for over a month now. You should also go into seclusion as soon as possible, Master,"

Yuan Yueze added.

Fu Cailin's eyes still held undiminished excitement as he nodded slightly.

It was already afternoon, and since no one had eaten yet, Wei Zhenzhen got up to prepare. Yuan Yueze grabbed Wei Zhenzhen's soft, smooth hand and said, "Please sit down first, I'll go get some food."

Seeing how much Yuan Yueze cared for her, Wei Zhenzhen blushed and nodded, sitting down.

Afterwards, Shang Xiuxun, Song Yuzhi, Shan Wanjing, and Shan Ruyin, who had gone out, returned, chattering excitedly. Once the food was ready, everyone enjoyed Yuan Yueze's fusion of Eastern and Western cuisine and wine.

After the meal, sipping fragrant tea, Yuan Yueze said, "Master, shall we spar a bit? You've broken through again, I really can't resist!"

Fu Cailin laughed, "You little rascal, you're not going to let this old man off the hook, are you? Fine, it's been too many years since I've fought. Today's a good opportunity to test the power of your swordsmanship after your breakthrough!"

Yuan Yueze chuckled dryly, "Actually, I'd rather steal some sword intent from you, Master."

Fu Cailin laughed heartily and led the group out of the 'Yijian Pavilion' in a grand procession, heading towards the open space beside the pavilion.

The two stood about two zhang apart. Yuan Yueze held the transparent longsword in reverse, his movements calm and composed. Fu Cailin held the elegant and ancient-looking longsword with a faint blue light in his left hand. This sword was none other than the world-renowned "Yijian." Both men's essence, energy, and spirit were all restrained, and outwardly they looked like people who knew no martial arts. However, the women present, whose cultivation was higher, could sense the heavy atmosphere between them. It was as if a unique spatial force field had formed, or as if it had transcended the world and become an independent existence.

Fu Cailin moved first!

His movements were exceptionally fast, yet appeared incredibly slow to others, a strangely eerie sight. The moment the "Yi Jian" trembled, Yuan Yueze and the women watching once again felt the atmosphere of the surroundings transforming into boundless void. Fu Cailin, who had been several feet away and whose feet hadn't moved, seemed to shrink to only a foot the moment the "Yi Jian" trembled.

Of course, everything around them didn't disappear into thin air; it was simply that, drawn by Fu Cailin's spiritual power and swordsmanship, everyone's attention was focused entirely on the sword.

The "Yi Jian" drew a beautiful cyan arc from bottom to top, simply and directly slashing at Yuan Yueze's head!

The instant Fu Cailin made his move, Yuan Yueze, who had re-established a subtle connection with heaven and earth, instantly entered a state of profound and divine subtlety. Originally under the pressure of Fu Cailin's powerful spiritual energy, Yuan Yueze's mind, following the movement of Fu Cailin's sword, indirectly reconstructed the objective reality between the two of them within his mind, after communicating with heaven and earth, and the void vanished instantly. This was also proof that he had escaped the oppressive aura of Fu Cailin in a unique way.

Yuan Yueze followed suit, touching the hilt of his sword in the same way. The longsword in its sheath emitted a clear sound like the roar of a dragon and the howl of a tiger, seemingly a curse from the eighteenth level of hell, or celestial music from beyond the nine heavens. The sword's white light burst forth, simply and unadorned, meeting the attack.

Fu Cailin's cultivation was definitely no less than Song Que's. Yuan Yueze's attack was somewhat of a subconscious action; his heart could not be completely certain of the origin of this seemingly simple sword strike.

With a deafening roar, Fu Cailin's swordplay shifted, the Yi Sword gleaming with an eerie, azure light, tracing breathtaking lines of beauty beyond compare, imbued with the ultimate principles of heaven and earth. The surrounding air currents seemed drawn to the sword's tip, instantly condensing into a beautiful ball of energy. The sword's edge transformed into a point of azure light, hurtling towards Yuan Yueze's throat like a shooting star. This point of azure light possessed a captivating, soul-snatching magic; if Yuan Yueze's mind showed even the slightest weakness, it would suppress his soul, allowing it to take hold.

Beautiful to the extreme, and terrifying to the extreme!

Facing the unparalleled Yi Sword technique firsthand, Yuan Yueze couldn't help but marvel at how the swordsmanship had indeed reached its pinnacle of perfection.

Fu Cailin's swordsmanship is intuitive, its subtlety lying in his fusion of wholehearted feeling with the sword; the external feeling is illusory, the inner feeling is real. This realm is completely different from Song Que's saber style, yet each has its own charm.

Yuan Yueze's incomplete sword intent, gleaned from Song Que, finally succumbed to the true master's skill.

But he was not one to give up easily. His longsword moved in a continuous, flowing motion, suddenly transforming into a white streak, its blade following a graceful arc beyond description, parrying the swordplay.

"Clang!"

The cluster of azure light vanished, but the pressure on Yuan Yueze's heart intensified!

A vast expanse of azure light enveloped him, each point seemingly attacking him, yet each point remained eternally still, like stars in the sky, possessing an unchanging essence amidst change.

With Yuan Yueze's learning ability, he could have imitated Fu Cailin's first sword intent, but he was powerless against this overwhelming net of swords before him.

Closing his eyes, Yuan Yueze relied on his vast inner energy and the strange, magical connection with heaven and earth to strike left and right with his longsword, meeting Fu Cailin's attack.

The clanging sounds were incessant; to an ordinary person, it sounded as if the swords had only clashed once, but in reality, Shan Meixian, watching the battle, clearly sensed that the two had exchanged blows at least thirty times! This demonstrated the terrifying and extraordinary speed of the two.

From the start of the battle, Fu Cailin had maintained the initiative, while Yuan Yueze was constantly forced to fight back. Most importantly, Fu Cailin's twenty-seven sword strikes, varying in intensity, had each locked down Yuan Yueze's energy and attack space, preventing him from regrouping his offensive and leaving him only able to passively endure and retaliate. Yuan Yueze could even clearly sense through the spiritual bond between them that Fu Cailin had already seen through all his moves; even if he were to regroup, it would be ineffective.

In that instant of mental turmoil, Yuan Yueze's state of mind, one with heaven and earth, completely crumbled!

In a flash, Fu Cailin spun around, his sword tracing a beautiful arc, first striking towards Yuan Yueze's right waist, then turning back, but the point of attack remained Yuan Yueze's right waist. To the onlookers, this seemed unbelievable, as the strike was like adding legs to a snake—a waste of Fu Cailin's energy and advantage, posing no threat whatsoever to Yuan Yueze.

Yuan Yueze smiled bitterly to himself, for only he, being an observer, could truly grasp the mystery and subtlety of Fu Cailin's sword strike.

His next move was already in mind—a sideways strike to attack Fu Cailin's left shoulder. However, the instant he made his move, the sword generated a powerful suction force, which intensified with the thrust, increasing the pressure. This caused his right-hand sword, already poised for a thrust, to not only lose its aim but also to be pulled to the right by Fu Cailin like iron drawn to a magnet. This made it impossible for him to execute his move, and even more difficult to retract it, leaving him in an extremely awkward situation. Yet, he had no choice but to focus all his energy on dealing with the sword aimed at his right waist. Such swordsmanship was truly terrifying.

Yuan Yueze's blood surged, and despite his frantic efforts, he couldn't withstand the exquisite swordplay. His mind, surprisingly, resisted the immense pressure and regained focus.

"Clang!"

A crisp sound rang out, and a hint of surprise flashed in Fu Cailin's eyes. Forced into a corner, Yuan Yueze had actually used the end of his sword hilt to horizontally deflect the sword, blocking a move Fu Cailin was so confident would end the fight.

In such a duel, a single lapse in concentration can be fatal. Yuan Yueze's first proactive attack forcefully combined Fu Cailin's first sword strike with Song Que's first saber strike, a seemingly clumsy but actually powerful slash that instantly distorted and warped the surrounding space.

This strike, moving from bottom to top, was not a preparation but rather an attack. Fu Cailin, of course, understood this, and with a slight turn of his sword, the tip aimed at the path of Yuan Yueze's longsword. However, Yuan Yueze seemed to sense Fu Cailin's intention, not continuing to raise his sword, but instead shifting to a slashing motion halfway through the arc, striking Fu Cailin's chest at a very small angle.

Integrating saber intent into sword technique was not a perfect choice, especially for someone like Yuan Yueze whose understanding was not profound, but it precisely created an unexpected effect. Both Song Que and Fu Cailin were somewhat at a loss when they first faced this move. This was not because Yuan Yueze was particularly strong, but because Fu Cailin's concepts within their respective fields were deeply ingrained. For example, in their eyes, a sword represents lightness and agility, while a saber can only represent power and ferocity. But how can a Grandmaster be called so casually? Song Que had already become immune to Yuan Yueze's strange moves when he faced him for the second time.

Seeing that Yuan Yueze's moves were ever-changing yet contained an unchanging charm, Fu Cailin instantly understood that the essence of Yuan Yueze's move must have come from Song Que. After a low cheer, his eyes shone brightly, and he flipped and flicked his sword, bursting out thousands of strands of azure rainbow, spreading out like clouds, swirling backwards towards Yuan Yueze's longsword.

Two sword shadows, one azure and one white, flashed through the air, magnificent and dazzling, inexplicably beautiful. Strangely, not a single sound of clashing was heard!

Because the two were attacking each other, blocking each other, in fact, before each strike could be fully executed, they had already changed their moves!

The two fought faster and faster, and Fu Cailin was already somewhat alarmed, because Yuan Yueze's energy seemed inexhaustible, his vitality boundless. No matter how ingenious, unrestrained, and free Fu Cailin's swordsmanship was, he still couldn't truly break through Yuan Yueze's offensive before exhausting his strength!

"Clang!"

Finally, their weapons clashed, emitting a piercing shriek. The sound alone caused the weaker female onlookers to experience a surge of qi and blood.

Fu Cailin inwardly breathed a sigh of relief. Yuan Yueze's body was abnormal, but his techniques were still imperfect, so he had to stop his moves after a while.

"Buzz!"

In an instant, Fu Cailin regained the initiative. In the blink of an eye, his energy had recovered, and he struck first with perfect ease! His expression was solemn as he thrust his sword horizontally, transforming it into two sword shadows. The sword tips trembled, forming two beautiful circular blue energy balls that enveloped Yuan Yueze.

With a calm and composed mind, Yuan Yueze seemed like an outsider to the battle, observing the duel from a detached perspective. He noticed every subtle change in Fu Cailin's swordplay. The sword circle was slowly expanding, the sword energy subtly increasing with each ring. Suddenly, a brilliant azure light erupted. Guided by his energy, Fu Cailin's sword light surged, the slow sword movement transforming into a thunderous roar. The swordplay strung together rings of energy, growing larger and larger, and as the sword moved forward, like two dragons spitting pearls, it sent these rings towards Yuan Yueze. Yuan Yueze could clearly feel the terrifying power brewing within these rings!

Fu Cailin seemed to have poured all his essence, energy, and spirit into the sword, embodying both endless variations and unchanging principles—playing without playing. This sword strike could be considered the pinnacle of Fu Cailin's swordsmanship! This sword technique, which seemed to seize the very essence of

heaven and earth, was flawless and invincible!

"Master's sword strike has transcended the realm of 'using man to fight with sword, using sword to fight enemy.' Could this be the realm of 'the game without chess'?"

Fu Junzhuo murmured, looking at the bizarre scene before her.

To outsiders, there was only one way to break the deadlock: forget about life and death, attack Fu Cailin's core, and the final outcome would be mutual destruction or forcing Fu Cailin to sheathe his sword to protect himself.

Absolute perfection never exists, and Yuan Yueze had his own way of breaking the deadlock. He

held his longsword horizontally across his chest with his right hand, and pushed his left palm against the blade, gathering all his energy to meet the sword strike head-on!

A brilliant light shone!

"Clang!"

After a muffled yet explosive sound, the arena returned to calm.

The women, gradually calming down, looked over and saw Yuan Yueze and Fu Cailin standing in place as if the battle had begun. The difference was that Yuan Yueze's clothes were tattered, while Fu Cailin's face remained unchanged, but his breathing showed signs of disorder.

However, it was clear that neither of them was going all out; otherwise, the outcome would have been as disastrous as it had been in Songjia Mountain City.

Fu Cailin laughed loudly, "Your move was truly brilliant!"

Yuan Yueze chuckled dryly, "Heh, the difference in technique is too great. I can only rely on my other advantages to break through."

The two walked towards the group of women watching, and Fu Cailin added, "But your cultivation of body and spirit far surpasses that of us old guys."

Yuan Yueze, of course, understood what he meant and immediately replied, "I gained a lot from Master's sword intent today, and I need to carefully comprehend it." Fu Cailin

nodded and said, "With your temperament, it's not difficult for you to comprehend some skills. I'm afraid that in a few years, even I won't be your match!"

Fu Cailin was not being modest; with his experience, how could he not see through Yuan Yueze, who seemed like a blank sheet of paper?

"I noticed that your fighting spirit isn't high,"

Fu Cailin said with a strange expression.

"Because Master also lacks fighting spirit, I'm affected as well,"

Yuan Yueze said with a helpless smile.

Among the top masters in the world, each person's martial arts are in a different field. For example, Ning Daoqi, he admired nature and sought tranquility and non-action. Like Fu Cailin, who pursued perfection and the meaning of life throughout his life. These two were indeed highly skilled in martial arts, but lacked fighting spirit. For someone like Yuan Yueze who enjoyed the exhilarating feeling of competition, Ning Daoqi and Fu Cailin were clearly not 'competent' opponents.

Song Que, however, was different. Song Que's martial arts lay in the battlefield, so he always possessed an incredibly strong fighting spirit.

Perhaps the fighting spirit of 'Evil King' Shi Zhixuan and 'Martial Venerable' Bi Xuan was also strong enough to give Yuan Yueze that same exhilarating feeling.

"Haha!"

Fu Cailin laughed loudly: "Little Ze is quite right, I'm afraid I can't let you enjoy that wonderful feeling you desire!"

"However, I still experienced the power of the 'Chess Sword Technique' after breaking through to 'Chess of No Chess'!"

Yuan Yueze walked to Fu Junyu, who was still in a daze, and playfully pinched her delicate nose, laughing.

With a soft "Eek," Fu Junyu snapped out of her daze, her cheeks instantly flushing crimson. Embarrassed, she hid behind Fu Junzhuo.

Everyone laughed and went into the pavilion.

That day, after Shuanglong bid farewell to Yuan Yueze, Fu Junzhuo, and the Song clan members, the two traveled along the river, stopping frequently. Because Fu Junzhuo had given them a hundred taels of silver, they had shed their former decadent ways and dressed like wealthy young men. Half a month later, the two arrived at Cuishan, a large town south of Xin'an County at the western end of the Zhejiang River. With over two thousand households, located east of Poyang Lake, it was a thriving town with numerous stone bridges and tiled houses, a prosperous Jiangnan water town, though only a quarter the size of Danyang. There were no high walls or city gates, but the two men immediately felt a desire to stay.

What attracted them most was the town's women's exquisite clothing; their tailoring and embroidery showcased the delicate beauty and ingenuity of the water town girls.

What pleased them even more was that they all wore embroidered sleeves and shoes, their waists cinched in pleated skirts, making them appear even more charming and graceful. They paraded through the town in groups, their eyes tingling with desire.

Especially now that they had a few coins in their pockets, unlike their former impoverished state, their mood was completely different, their chests held high.

As the old saying goes, "When people are well-fed and warm, they think of lust," especially for people like Shuanglong who had lived a long time without money. The town's rich folk customs and local sentiments captivated the two immature boys. They even thought that living there for a lifetime, getting married and having children, would be incredibly blissful.

However, Kou Zhong couldn't resist the temptation and that very night dragged Xu Ziling to the town's most famous brothel, "Liuchun Courtyard." Thus, their childhood ended that night.

When they awoke the next day, they discovered that they had given the madam and the young women too much silver in their drunken stupor, and now they had less than two taels of silver left.

Helpless, the two returned to their old life of petty thievery. By chance, they ended up as cooks at "Old Zhang's Restaurant." But then came Old Zhang's unfilial son... Seeing that the two dragons were both handsome and imposing, the old man plotted against them day and night. Old Zhang's son had some martial arts skills, but the two dragons' understanding of the "Nine Profound Great Technique" was mediocre, so they couldn't easily cripple Old Zhang's son. Later, Old Zhang's son brought in the town's yamen runners to continue bullying the two dragons. Humiliated, the two dragons remembered what Fu Junzhuo and Yuan Yueze had said. They couldn't help but curse themselves for their weakness. They endured the humiliation and continued practicing the "Nine Profound Great Technique" at night, while also beginning to comprehend the "Longevity Formula." Seven days later, they finally grasped the basics of the "Longevity Formula" and secretly ran away from Old Zhang's restaurant to focus on cultivating it.

The two dragons, once again by chance... He embarked on the once "inevitable" route.

Time flew by, and a year and three months passed in the blink of an eye!

Winter returned.

A few days after Yuan Yueze arrived in Pyongyang, Fu Cailin announced that he would betroth his three most beloved female disciples to Yuan Yueze, and would personally attend their weddings at the Lingnan Song family in the Central Plains. Afterwards, Fu Cailin went into seclusion.

The news spread, and regardless of whether it was Goryeo, the Central Plains, or even the Turks and the Western Regions, discussions surged again. They were all about Yuan Yueze and his wives. Since many people in the Lingnan Song clan had already personally seen Yuan Yueze and his beloved wives, the news spread: Yuan Yueze was a handsome and dashing man... He was dashing and extraordinary, with superb martial arts skills. His wives were all stunningly beautiful, noble and pure. These topics became frequent conversations among martial arts enthusiasts and various factions.

During this time, Yuan Yueze secluded himself for a year, refining his inner energy while diligently studying the essence of "body and mind" in the Yi Jian Shu and Tian Dao Jue. Upon emerging, Yuan Yueze's inner energy was more than twice as strong as before. While his "mind" cultivation hadn't improved much, his "skills" had made significant progress.

After several sparring matches with the more skilled women—Shan Meixian, Wei Zhenzhen, and Fu Junzhuo—Yuan Yueze realized that his progress was still too small. The "sword intent" he had gleaned from his battles with Song Que and Fu Cailin began to blur afterward, causing him considerable frustration. Fortunately, several women comforted him, telling him there was always tomorrow; otherwise, Yuan Yueze would have become fixated on this, which would have been extremely detrimental to his future self-cultivation.

Afterward, he began a carefree journey through Goryeo with his wives, experiencing its various customs and traditions. He witnessed firsthand the increasing poverty and the growing number of families torn apart and homeless due to the war. Yuan Yueze increasingly questioned his own approach to life. But all he could do now was try his best to help those people with his money.

Yuan Yueze originally planned to first talk with Fu Junyu and Fu Junqiang... He wanted to "date" her. Little did he know, the two women were already head over heels for him; his so-called "romance" was merely wishful thinking on the part of this fool.

That evening, after a day of playing, the women were exhausted and, after dinner, bathed and went to sleep.

Yuan Yueze practiced his qi alone until very late before stepping out of his room to breathe some fresh air.

The cool air hit him, instantly invigorating him. His eyes scanned the rooms and noticed that only Fu Junyu's boudoir still had a light on, so he sneaked over.

He could faintly hear two people talking inside; it was the two sisters, Fu Junyu and Fu Junqiang.

He heard Fu Junyu say, "Junqiang, why have you been so absent-minded these days?"

Hearing her teasing tone, Fu Junqiang retorted sweetly, "Isn't Second Sister the same?"

Fu Junyu said breathlessly, "Don't talk nonsense!" "

Clearly extremely shy. "

Yuan Yueze listened with great interest.

Fu Junqiang giggled and exclaimed, "I'm going to tell Brother Yuan that Second Sister was calling his name in her sleep last night!"

Fu Junyu laughed and scolded, "You brat, how dare you say that? You're the one who's really smitten!"

The two girls started playfully bickering, and after a while, Fu Junqiang, panting, said in a coquettish voice, "Brother Yuan is too dull. Do you expect me to take the initiative?"

Fu Junyu sighed helplessly. The two women had long been devoted to Yuan Yueze, but he was so engrossed in practicing his martial arts that he rarely even touched Shan Meixian and the other women, let alone noticed them.

Yuan Yueze was startled, realizing he had neglected these two passionate sisters, and felt a pang of guilt. He pushed open the door and said, "I've neglected you two ladies; it's truly a sin. Would you be willing to marry me tonight?"

The two women stood up with a gasp, looking at Yuan Yueze in surprise. Hearing his words, their pretty faces flushed simultaneously, realizing that Yuan Yueze had overheard their conversation.

Yuan Yueze closed the door and stood before the two women, his gaze roaming boldly over their tall, graceful figures.

Although Fu Junyu usually maintained a cold and aloof demeanor, she felt utterly helpless in front of the man she admired. She didn't know what to say, and could only lower her head, wishing she could disappear into a hole to escape her embarrassment. Fu Junqiang, lively and bold, puffed out her high chest, meeting Yuan Yueze's gaze head-on without flinching, her bright eyes captivating.

Looking at the two women before him, their beautiful and alluring faces, their exquisitely curvaceous figures, their long, slender legs, their delicate waists, their rounded buttocks beneath their fitted clothes, and their crystal-clear, satin-like smooth skin, Yuan Yueze's heart suddenly raced. He quickly stepped forward, embracing each of them, and said apologetically, "I'm so sorry for what you've suffered. It's all my fault."

The two women lived in Goryeo, a country with an extremely strict hierarchy where men were considered the women's superiors. They had never heard a man apologize to a woman before. Although they had noticed Yuan Yueze's gentle nature over the past few days, they were still moved by his actions. If Yuan Yueze didn't deeply love them, why would he apologize?

Fu Junqiang closed her starry eyes slightly, sweetly leaning against Yuan Yueze's chest, letting his large hands caress her slender waist. Fu Junyu raised her blushing face, bravely looking into Yuan Yueze's expressive eyes, and said shyly, "Young master, there's no need to apologize. You haven't done anything wrong."

Yuan Yueze seized the opportunity, quickly kissing the two women's smooth, fresh cheeks, and said, "Then I won't leave tonight. The three of us will sleep together."

Fu Junyu was shocked and said, "This... how can this be!"

Fu Junqiang, bold as ever, shouted, "Why not!"

Fu Junyu rolled her eyes at her, and before she could say anything more, Yuan Yueze lightly leaped over the two women and was already at the bedside. He personally took off their boots and coats, then embraced the two women and slipped into the quilt, letting out a contented sigh.

It was the first time the two women had been served like this by a man, especially one they admired. They were deeply moved and, somewhat bewildered, shared a bed with him.

Yuan Yueze made no further moves, instead engaging the two women in conversation to amuse them. The two women had initially expected Yuan Yueze to be aggressive from the start, but his unexpected actions filled them with secret delight and increased their dependence on him.

They chatted for several hours, until nearly midnight, yet the two women showed no signs of fatigue, continuing to laugh and talk with him. However, Yuan Yueze was already accustomed to touching them, and the two women, both virgins and only wearing undergarments, were beginning to succumb to his advances. Their faces flushed, their bodies grew hot, and their breathing became heavy.

Yuan Yueze took advantage of the situation further, saying, "Would it be convenient for you two ladies to marry me tonight?"

The two women were already impatient; if not for their restraint, they probably would have already pounced on him and offered themselves. Yuan Yueze's charm was undeniable, and they were equally curious and eager to see his refined body. So, they both let out a soft moan and pressed their heads tightly against his arm.

The sisters were having a threesome, a experience Yuan Yueze had never truly had before. He placed the shy Fu Junyu aside, covered her with the blanket, and picked up the expectant Fu Junqiang, chuckling, "Junyu's shy, let Junqiang and I demonstrate for you first."

Even the boldest Fu Junqiang couldn't resist such words. She pinched him, then lowered her head, not objecting to his suggestion.

Fu Junyu, however, was completely flustered, unsure whether to watch. She instinctively closed her beautiful eyes and turned her head away.

Yuan Yueze lowered his head and covered Fu Junqiang's soft red lips with his hot lips. He had teased the two women several times before, so kissing was nothing new to them. Fu Junqiang responded passionately, and her second sister's presence intensified the excitement.

After a passionate kiss, the aroused Fu Junqiang gasped softly, nestled against Yuan Yueze's chest, letting his eccentric hands undress her.

In no time, Fu Junqiang's bodice was removed, revealing her smooth, delicate, and exquisitely beautiful upper body to Yuan Yueze. As the bodice's ribbons were untied, a pair of snow-white, smooth, and full breasts bounced out, incredibly elastic. The two pink nipples were already erect, showing that the young girl was aroused.

Yuan Yueze kissed his way down her fair and slender neck, reaching her high, firm breasts. The unique fragrance of the young girl's body, along with the two soft, beautiful, and gently trembling breasts, made Yuan Yueze's blood surge, constantly pounding in his heart. He gently sucked on her proud breasts, greedily swallowing and releasing the flesh, his long tongue constantly stirring the hard nipples, while his large hands began to knead Fu Junqiang's pert and round buttocks, then moved to her lower abdomen, his middle finger slightly hooked, gently sliding into her pants, passing over a patch of sparse pubic hair, and touching the girl's sensitive clitoris.

A surge of intense stimulation washed over her, a blush rising to her cheeks. Fu Junqiang let out soft moans, her warm, fragrant breath brushing against Yuan Yueze's chest. The instant her clitoris was touched, her body trembled violently, her legs clamping tightly shut, preventing him from continuing his advances.

Yuan Yueze gently caressed her, kissing every inch of her hot, pink skin. Fu Junqiang, lost in passion, only knew to respond instinctively, unaware of when Yuan Yueze had laid her down and removed her undergarments.

Yuan Yueze continued kissing every inch of her skin, until he reached between her legs, revealing her round, white buttocks and full, swollen vulva. Her sparse pubic hair was already soaked with the girl's vaginal fluids, extending from her vulva all the way to her anus. Yuan Yueze gently parted the two large petals, his tongue skillfully teasing the two delicate petals inside, while continuously sucking the clear, fragrant nectar flowing from the tightly closed opening. Fu Junqiang's small nose emitted adorable nasal sounds, her flushed cheeks glistening with fragrant sweat, her eyes tightly closed, her breathing becoming increasingly rapid, her high breasts heaving up and down, her slender waist twisting back and forth, her moans growing louder and louder, completely forgetting that her second sister was right beside her.

Although Fu Junyu had her back turned, she was still aroused by the sounds of their kiss and Fu Junqiang's unrestrained moans, causing her delicate body to tremble slightly. Driven by curiosity, she secretly turned her head, opened her beautiful eyes, and glanced at the two of them. The scene that met her eyes almost froze her blood; she was immediately stunned.

Yuan Yueze lay naked before the bed, every muscle of his body exuding an indescribable power and beauty, as perfect as a marble statue. His erect penis was pointed directly at Fu Junqiang, strong and imposing, glaring proudly like a warrior about to go into battle. He was kneeling between Fu Junqiang's legs, her delicate hands gripping the sheets, her brows furrowing and relaxing, whether in pleasure or pain, the constant lewd sounds emanating from them indicating that he was kissing her private parts. Fu Junqiang felt a wave of nausea, followed by a surge of emotion. Yuan Yueze's actions represented his love for her, which stirred her heart and made her somewhat restless, wanting to try it herself.

Suddenly, Fu Junqiang's face flushed even redder, her breathing became heavier, and her two beautiful, white feet arched. With a sweet, innocent scream, she kicked her beautiful little feet downwards, her muscles twitching repeatedly, her upper body arching and trembling violently. At the same time, a clear, crystalline liquid spurted from her flower-like opening, all of which was drunk by Yuan Yueze. After a long while, her body finally slumped limply, her skin, glistening with sweat, flushed crimson.

Yuan Yueze stood up and kissed her lips, asking, "Was it comfortable?"

Fu Junqiang's breathing hadn't fully calmed; she nodded mechanically and murmured, "It felt like dying once, yet it was an unprecedented feeling of comfort."

Yuan Yueze placed a pillow under her slender waist to ease the pain of her impending deflowering. He pressed his penis against her delicate, narrow opening, chuckling, "The best is yet to come, Junqiang, don't be afraid, the pain will pass."

Fu Junqiang, clearly having received considerable theoretical knowledge, bravely nodded and said, "Come on, husband!"

Yuan Yueze kissed her again, his trembling member aimed at her bulging opening and slowly thrust inside.

Breaking through the hymen, drops of blood flowed down. Fu Junqiang's brows furrowed, a few beads of cold sweat trickling down her forehead. Her pale hands gripped the sheets tightly, her teeth biting her cherry lips, refusing to utter a sound.

Yuan Yueze's penis was only halfway in. Seeing her expression, his tenderness deepened. He softly comforted her while his hands began stimulating her sensitive areas. Finally, the entire length of his penis was inside, the tip touching Fu Junqiang's most delicate cervix.

The pain was gradually replaced by a feeling of fullness, tingling, numbness, and itching. Fu Junqiang thought to herself that this was the feeling her elder sister had described. Now that her husband was about to make his move, she just needed to enjoy it.

Yuan Yueze had indeed begun. Under his skilled technique, Fu Junqiang experienced a blissful aftermath, her soul seemingly leaving her body, floating in ecstasy. She closed her beautiful eyes and moaned sweetly in enjoyment.

Kneeling between Fu Junqiang's legs, Yuan Yueze began to thrust. In that instant, his gaze met Fu Junyu's. From her large, watery eyes, which seemed to drip with moisture, he could see that she was deeply captivated by the action. Her unconsciously kneading hands on her breasts were the best proof of this. Yuan Yueze reached out and pulled her into his arms. While his lower body continued thrusting, he kissed her luscious, rosy lips.

Holding Fu Junyu tightly by the waist, Yuan Yueze swiftly removed her thin undergarment, his fingers caressing her delicate, smooth breasts, her gracefully curved neck, and her rounded, jade-like shoulders.

Their lips parted, and Yuan Yueze gazed at her firm, tender breasts and translucent skin. He couldn't resist immediately taking her bright red, erect nipples into his mouth, sucking and licking them.

Fu Junyu, already burning with desire from the intense battle, felt her body throb with heat from Yuan Yueze's kisses, waves of heat surging within her. Intoxicating moans escaped her fragrant lips.

While kissing her delicate, bud-like breasts, Yuan Yueze gently licked each one with his wet tongue. His right hand then slid down her smooth abdomen to her virgin paradise. The full, protruding vulva was covered in lush pubic hair, feeling wonderful to the touch. Fu Junyu, overcome with shyness, softly leaned against Yuan Yueze, who was still moving, eliciting loud moans from Fu Junqiang.

This position was indeed uncomfortable. Yuan Yueze whispered a few words in Fu Junyu's ear. Fu Junyu's face flushed even more. After giving him a sidelong glance, she obeyed, shyly turning and kneeling down, her legs spread wide, presenting her dark, sacred place directly to Yuan Yueze.

Yuan Yueze bent slightly, his large mouth gently kissing Fu Junyu's tender, smooth garden, which was already overflowing with fragrant pubic hair. As Yuan Yueze's skillful tongue teased her untouched garden, Fu Junyu's passion intensified, the heat within her surged even more fiercely, and her lower abdomen felt unbearably itchy. With a soft moan, her lips reached for Fu Junqiang's, who lay beside her, equally lost in ecstasy and moaning.

The two women, their eyes closed, kissed each other, their hands exploring each other's bodies, grasping and kneading each other's breasts.

The scene was utterly lewd.

"Ugh!"

Fu Junqiang, with her excellent physique from years of martial arts training, held on for a quarter of an hour before climaxing again. After a violent spasm, Yuan Yueze left her aside to savor the moment, his spear already teased by his large mouth until Fu Junyu had reached another climax. At this moment, she was already delirious, and comforting her was useless. Yuan Yueze simply mounted her, and with a slight force at the tip of his spear, roughly parted her pair of glistening pink labia, then parted her hot, swollen, and moist labia, the tip of his spear pushing open her vaginal opening and penetrating a little further in.

Perhaps she was blinded by lust, or perhaps she was in good physical condition, or perhaps she didn't want to lose to Fu Junqiang, but with the foreign object entering her body, her virginity blossoming, Fu Junyu only let out a soft moan, without screaming in pain.

Yuan Yueze's spear slowly slid in. Fu Junyu's jade cave was tight and narrow, full of elasticity. Although her jade cave was already overflowing with lustful fluids, it was still somewhat difficult to accommodate Yuan Yueze's thick and long member. After it was fully inserted, an unprecedented feeling of fullness and satisfaction immediately made her sigh comfortably, as if encouraging Yuan Yueze to move faster.

Yuan Yueze supported her fragrant buttocks with both hands and began to advance slowly, then faster. To make her happier and alleviate her pain, Yuan Yueze's hands moved incessantly, from her thighs to her lower abdomen, then lingered on her smooth, white belly, finally resting on her firm, full breasts. He tenderly kneaded her smooth, white breasts, then circled his tongue around them. Attacked on several sensitive areas, Fu Junyu felt waves of tingling pleasure wash over her, the continuous waves of pleasure bringing her to the brink of climax. Yuan Yueze's thrusts grew stronger, his hands constantly caressing every sensitive spot on her beautiful body. "Ah..."

After hundreds of thrusts, Fu Junyu's body suddenly trembled violently, and milky white fluid gushed from the tight junction of her vagina and his massive member, splashing all over Yuan Yueze's thighs and the disheveled white sheets and blankets.

The two sisters were in excellent physical condition. Fu Junqiang had almost fully recovered and went back into battle. After much effort, Yuan Yueze finally unleashed his power, injecting it into the two women's beautiful bodies to help them refine their forms.

The two women were overjoyed with their newfound bodies and, receiving Yuan Yueze's utmost affection, were incredibly happy. Afterwards, the two women practiced Fu Junqiang's "Sword Control Divine Technique." Fu Junqiang was exceptionally intelligent, a true martial arts prodigy. In just a few days, she reached the highest level of controlling swords with qi, thanks to her powerful physique. However, controlling swords with the mind seemed extremely difficult to master, and the highest level of controlling swords with the spirit was merely a legend. Even with Fu Junqiang's talent, she couldn't comprehend any further for the time being.

Although Fu Junqiang was exceptionally intelligent, she wasn't a "martial arts fanatic." At only seventeen, she was a naive and carefree young girl. Lively and adorable, she, like Shan Wanjing and Shan Ruyin, spent her days mischievously playing pranks.

That night, after several rounds of intense pleasure, the women, exhausted from their previous encounters, had fallen into a deep sleep. Only Shan Meixian, Song Yuzhi, and Fu Junzhuo, who possessed considerable "fighting power," remained awake. Yuan Yueze then spoke tenderly to them, exchanging loving words.

"Husband, shouldn't we return to the Central Plains? So much time has passed; I wonder what changes have occurred there!"

Song Yuzhi asked.

"Yuzhi is right. Let's first gather some news from the Central Plains during this time,"

Shan Meixian said, recalling that they hadn't originally planned to stay in Goryeo for so long, but had settled down because Yuan Yueze suddenly went into seclusion to comprehend 'sword intent.' Seeing Yuan Yueze nod, Shan Meixian continued,

"The Central Plains are vast and rich in resources; I'm going to have a good time exploring them this time!"

Fu Junzhuo echoed.

"Speaking of gathering information, I'm reminded of someone; that person must be thinking of our husband day and night, unable to eat or sleep!"

Shan Meixian said with a charming smile.

"Meixian, stop talking nonsense! My relationship with Yuzhen is completely platonic!"

Upon hearing Shan Meixian's words, Yuan Yueze suddenly pictured the woman in the white cloak and green dress.

"Oh! She hasn't even said who it is yet, and my husband is already thinking of Yuzhen!"

Shan Meixian teased, though she was barely suppressing a smile on her pretty face.

"There's a woman who can maintain a 'pure' relationship with my husband? That's truly a wonder of the world!"

Song Yuzhi also rolled her eyes at Yuan Yueze, emphasizing the word 'pure'.

Fu Junzhuo, standing nearby, had already caught the implication in their words and giggled.

"I'll teach you to laugh at me! Tonight, I'll make sure you can't get out of bed for three days!"

Yuan Yueze said with a fierce expression.

In an instant, the waves surged again! Spring was in full bloom! Chapter 19 of

April 20th : Reunion with Yu Zhen. In the depths of winter, the weather in the Yangtze River basin was still warm with a slight chill. Outside the south gate of Yangzhou, a man and two women walked out. It was Yuan Yueze, Shan Meixian, and Fu Junyu. "Husband, how about the three of us split up to gather information, and then agree on a place to meet again?" Fu Junyu said somewhat helplessly. "Junyu, that's a good suggestion. Instead of going together, we should split into three directions. That way, we'll have a better chance of finding out the exact whereabouts of the Giant Kun Gang. Besides, we don't know how Yu Zhen is doing now, which is a bit worrying." Shan Meixian said, looking at the hesitant Yuan Yueze. "Alright, then when and where will we meet again?" Yuan Yueze asked reluctantly. Although he had been in the world for more than two years, his experience was pitifully small. He hadn't even experienced the joys and sorrows of ordinary people's gatherings and separations. "Then let's meet here at dusk ten days from now," Shan Meixian said after a moment's thought. "Sister, should we call the other sisters out? It'll be easier to scout with more people," Fu Junyu suggested. "No, among us sisters, only Junzhuo, Junyu, and you have more experience traveling the world. If we call Wanjing and the others out, it's easy to cause trouble and waste time." "How about this, husband, bring Junzhuo out too, and the four of us will split up and travel in four directions. Husband, you don't have much experience traveling the world alone, so it's better to have Yuzhi accompany you. With our current abilities, we won't encounter any trouble," Shan Meixian said again, seeing Yuan Yueze's reluctant expression. So Yuan Yueze had no choice but to forcibly pull out Fu Junzhuo and Song Yuzhi, who were still studying, from the bracelet, and suppress the eager Shang Xiuxun and Shan Wanjing. After a brief exchange, Yuan Yueze and Song Yuzhi headed south, Shan Meixian west, Fu Junyu north, and Fu Junzhuo east, each to begin their respective searches. Before their departure, to prevent Feng Cai from attracting unwanted attention, Shan Meixian specifically instructed the women to cover their faces with heavy veils. Having spent over a year in Goryeo, Yuan Yueze and his family returned to the Central Plains at Song Yuzhi's suggestion, their first priority being to gather information. Upon entering the Central Plains, the group settled in Shangdang and Pengcheng. Song Yuzhi contacted the local Song clan, but only managed to glean some local news, some of which might not even be accurate. Originally, the Song clan members, seeing the clan leader's daughter and son-in-law arrive, wanted to curry favor with Yuan Yueze and continue providing him with intelligence. However, Yuan Yueze and the other women were elusive, making it extremely difficult for the Song clan members to contact him. In this era, neither fast horses nor carrier pigeons were ever slow enough. After much deliberation, Shan Meixian decided that contacting the Giant Kun Gang was the best option, as their information was certainly reliable. The news from the Pengcheng Song Clan's hideout only stated that two months ago, the Giant Kun Gang and the Hai Sha Gang had a fierce battle near Taihu Lake. The result was that the Giant Kun Gang leader, Yun Yuzhen, used a superb swordsmanship to kill the Hai Sha Gang leader, "Dragon King" Han Gaitian, and his trusted subordinate, "Mermaid" You Qiufeng. Only Han Gaitian's other trusted subordinate, "Fat Assassin" You Gui, escaped with serious injuries. The most recent news the Song Clan received about the Giant Kun Gang was that about half a month ago, when the Giant Kun Gang was recovering the remaining members of the Hai Sha Gang in the Yu Hang area, their leader, Yun Yuzhen, was ambushed by an unknown assassin. The specific details and outcome were unknown to outsiders. After the Giant Kun Gang's swift and decisive victory in the Yu Hang area, they remained largely silent. After hearing the Song Clan members recount the matter, Yuan Yueze wasn't particularly worried about Yun Yuzhen. He believed that after the marrow cleansing and body tempering, Yun Yuzhen's strength, if she diligently cultivated, would certainly surpass that of ordinary martial arts masters. However, Shan Meixian, with her keen intuition, quickly realized something was amiss: having been separated for almost two years, Yuan Yueze and the other women had no idea what Yun Yuzhen's cultivation level was. Moreover, Yun Yuzhen might be preoccupied with gang affairs, unable to focus on her martial arts training. Thinking further, if Yun Yuzhen was truly unharmed, why hadn't any news been released? Even a fool could guess that the unknown assassin was sent by the 'Fat Assassin' You Gui to avenge Han Gaitian. Having understood this, Shan Meixian immediately suggested they stop waiting for news from the Song Clan spies in Pengcheng. The group decided to go out and investigate themselves. Yuan Yueze and Song Yuzhi sped south. As they were nearing the major city of Danyang, Yuan Yueze carried Song Yuzhi and raced on. The closer they got to the Yangtze River, the clearer their thoughts became. Unconsciously, he recalled the night Fu Junzhuo was ambushed on the banks of the Danyang River by several masked men of unknown origin, possessing sinister skills. As he gradually integrated into this era, Yuan Yueze also realized that the so-called original Tang Dynasty story was not entirely the same as his current timeline; there seemed to be many terrifying forces lurking in the darkness. Suddenly, Yuan Yueze stopped. His eyes focused his inner energy, gazing into the distance. "Has something happened ahead?" Song Yuzhi asked, looking at Yuan Yueze with curiosity. "Several hundred men are rushing towards us at high speed. They are dressed in various styles, look fierce, and exude a strong aura of killing intent. They have green cloths wrapped around their arms, and the ranks are marked by the banner of 'Du.'" "Within this range, they should be the rebel army under Du Fuwei, the overlord of Jianghuai, known as 'The Universe in His Sleeve'!" Song Yuzhi said. Du Fuwei was from Xiangongzhuang Town, Zhangqiu, Qizhou. In his youth, he was unruly and did not engage in production. He was intelligent, resourceful, and chivalrous from a young age, and had a sworn brotherhood with Fu Gongshi of Linji. During the later years of Emperor Yang Guang's reign in the Sui Dynasty, the government was corrupt, the people suffered, peasant uprisings broke out one after another, warlords carved up the land, and society was in turmoil. In the seventh and ninth years of the Daye era, peasant uprisings led by Wang Bo, Dou Jiande, Zhang Jincheng, Meng Haigong, Meng Rang, Guo Fangyu, Hao Xiaode, and others broke out in Shandong. In December of the ninth year of the Daye era of the Sui Dynasty, Du Fuwei and his friend Fu Gongshi, influenced by numerous peasant uprisings, turned against the rebellion and joined the rebel army of Zuo Caixiang, Zuo Junxing, in Changbai Mountain. In December of the tenth year of the Daye era, Du Fuwei arrived in Huaibei. Relying on strategy and force, he annexed the rebel army in Xiapi and marched into Huainan. He then merged with the rebel army in Hailing in one fell swoop. From then on, the Jianghuai rebel army grew stronger day by day. In the eleventh year of the Daye era, another rebel army led by Li Zitong, who continued the struggle in Changbai Mountain, also moved to Huainan and joined forces with Du Fuwei, greatly increasing their prestige and becoming the main force of the Jianghuai rebel army. Du Fuwei was later known as the "Underworld Overlord." In addition to his military strategy, his martial arts skills were among the best in the martial arts world, and he was also known as "The Universe in His Sleeves," making him feared by all in the martial arts world. "This Du Fuwei is quite a figure!" Yuan Yueze praised. "Du Fuwei's reputation in the Jianghuai region is indeed unmatched, but he's definitely not cut out for greatness. He indulges his subordinates, and the Jianghuai army's discipline is lax. Every time they conquer a city, they forcibly conscript strong men, incurring the wrath of both heaven and man. Moreover, he's short-sighted; at best, he's only fit to be a regional hegemon!" Hearing Yuan Yueze's praise, Song Yuzhi wrinkled her nose and said disdainfully. "Oh dear, it seems our Zhizhi could be a female politician; her words and assessments are quite sharp!" Yuan Yueze teased Song Yuzhi in his arms. "No way! I just grew up in a powerful family, and in that environment, naturally..." Before Song Yuzhi could finish, Yuan Yueze pulled her up and slipped into the nearby woods. "That group of people is passing by; we mustn't let them spot us," Yuan Yueze explained, looking at Song Yuzhi's strange expression. Sure enough, in less than half an incense stick's time, the dust kicked up by the sound of horses' hooves ahead was already faintly visible. Yuan Yueze and his companion spread their hearing and carefully observed the group of people.

The group numbered around three hundred, all robust and muscular. Some were relatively well-dressed, while a smaller group wore only ordinary peasant clothes. These were likely the farm boys they had forcibly recruited into the Jianghuai Army.

"Boss, Li Jing is ungrateful! He's repeatedly defied you, and the brothers couldn't stand it anymore!"

one of the three at the front of the group said.

"Damn it, that Li guy won't get away with this! We did a good job on this mission. After we catch the next village, we'll go back to the city and teach that Li guy a lesson!"

the middle man said, glancing back at the back of the group. This man had a face full of flesh, short sideburns, and a ferocious expression, like a demon.

His two companions quickly flattered him.

Hearing the name "Li Jing," Yuan Yueze immediately became interested. Judging from the actions of the leading man, Li Jing must be at the back of the group. The group sped past, and a burly man at the back caught Yuan Yueze's attention. The man wasn't exactly handsome, but he had a straight nose, a broad face, and bright, intelligent eyes.

The sound of hooves faded into the distance as Yuan Yueze and Song Yuzhi emerged from the woods and continued their gallop.

Yuan Yueze had only felt a slight admiration for Li Jing's appearance earlier, but then he suddenly thought of Susu, wondering where she was now.

"Husband, there seems to be a faint presence in the woods to the right, like that of a feminine woman,"

Song Yuzhi said, seeing Yuan Yueze deep in thought as they ran.

Although Song Yuzhi didn't practice martial arts, her senses were exceptionally sharp, even surpassing those of Yuan Yueze, Shan Meixian, and Fu Junqiang.

Hearing this, Yuan Yueze focused his attention and indeed detected a faint presence in the woods to the right. The two exchanged a glance and then sped off in that direction.

With just a few leaps, the presence drew closer.

"Ah!"

Song Yuzhi exclaimed, her eyes fixed on the woman who came into view.

Three zhang away, in an open space, a young woman dressed in simple white and blue floral clothes, slightly soiled, was resting on a large rock. She was voluptuous, her hands resting on a branch she had picked up from somewhere. Her left leg, simply bandaged, clearly showed a severe injury. The woman's head was bowed, so Yuan Yueze and Song Yuzhi could only discern her gender by her breath and somewhat disheveled hair.

Hearing a gasp, the seated woman looked up in the direction of the sound. She saw a man in purple and a woman in yellow approaching. Rubbing her eyes, she widened them in surprise. The man and woman seemed like celestial beings, their robes flowing. The woman was like a fairy from a painting, incomparably beautiful, with a noble and pure air. She easily evoked feelings of inferiority in others. The man was incredibly handsome, and his gentle smile gave off an inexplicable sense of warmth. His dark, slightly blue eyes, in particular, brought a sense of tranquility.

Yuan Yueze and Song Yuzhi approached and, seeing the woman still staring blankly at them, asked, "Is this young lady injured? Would you feel comfortable allowing me to treat her?"

The woman, startled by Yuan Yueze's voice, blushed and replied, "I bruised my leg and have difficulty walking. I've been stuck in the woods for days. I'm so sorry to trouble you, young master!"

After saying this, the woman was somewhat surprised: she had trusted these two men, whose identities she didn't know, to treat her on their first meeting.

"Perhaps their appearance and demeanor don't suggest they're bad people," she thought to herself

.

Yuan Yueze placed his hand on the back of the slightly shy woman, channeling his vast inner energy into her body, nourishing her parched meridians and wound.

Then, Song Yuzhi took out some medicine and personally bandaged her wound.

Following Yuan Yueze's instructions, the woman closed her eyes for a while, and when she opened them again, she felt incredibly comfortable all over. The pain in her injured calf had also greatly lessened after treatment. Her bright eyes were filled with gratitude. She stepped down from the rock and knelt gracefully, saying, "This servant thanks you, young master and madam, for saving my life."

Song Yuzhi stepped forward to help the woman up, about to speak, when

a soft "gulp" was heard. The woman lowered her head shyly, not daring to raise it again.

"Sister must be starving. Let my husband make something to eat first, and you can wash up while you're at it,"

Song Yuzhi said, pointing to the woman's face, which was covered in dust and mud.

After dividing the tasks, Yuan Yueze immediately took out food and cooking utensils and started a fire. Song Yuzhi then led the woman to a nearby stream to wash.

In less than a quarter of an hour, Yuan Yueze had prepared several main dishes. He then took out three chairs and a table, set them out, and waited for the two women to return.

A short while later, Song Yuzhi and the other woman arrived. Yuan Yueze turned to examine the woman he hadn't paid much attention to earlier: she was tall and slender, around twenty years old, with a beautiful face, bright, clear, dark eyes, and smooth, supple skin. Her long, flowing black hair cascaded over her shoulders. After washing away the dust and changing into a pale yellow palace dress, her temperament gained an added touch of tranquility, exuding a refined and delicate charm—truly a rare beauty.

Seeing that both women's hair was wet, they must have bathed in the stream. They were now hand in hand, laughing and chatting as they walked towards Yuan Yueze.

The aroma of the food wafted from afar, and Song Yuzhi pulled the other woman along, running to the table. He pulled the still somewhat shy woman, who dared not look directly at Yuan Yueze, to sit down.

The woman sat down, then stood up again, bowed to Yuan Yueze once more, and said, "Thank you both for your kindness; I am deeply grateful."

"Miss, please don't be so polite. Eat something first, fill your stomach, and we can talk later,"

Yuan Yueze gestured for her to sit.

The woman was also curious: where did these finely crafted chairs come from in this desolate wilderness? And where did they get the ingredients to cook the food? Although she hadn't touched her chopsticks yet, just by the taste, she was certain that the dishes on the table were extraordinary. Were these two benefactors truly divine beings descended from heaven?

"Miss, please eat with peace of mind; we have absolutely no intention of harming you,"

Yuan Yueze said, seeing the woman's changing expression, assuming she was worried about poisoning the food. He picked up a bite and put it in his own mouth, reassuring her.

"Yes, yes! Sister, eat quickly; you're starving!"

Song Yuzhi didn't care about anything else and rushed over to start eating voraciously. Her eating manners were quite unrefined.

"Young master, you misunderstand! This servant had no other intentions, I was just a little curious,"

the woman quickly explained when Yuan Yueze comforted her.

Afterwards, under the warm hospitality of Yuan Yueze and Song Yuzhi, she began to eat heartily.

They ate and slept without speaking. After the three finished their meal, the woman's complexion became much rosier.

Yuan Yueze cleared away the table and chairs and sat down with the two women to rest and chat.

"Why were you injured in this desolate wilderness, young lady?"

Yuan Yueze asked.

"My surname is Fang, and my given name is Susu. I was separated from my master and ended up in a village. I lived there for several months. A few days ago, I encountered a large band of rebels forcibly conscripting people. The leader had designs on me, so I ran away alone. However, I slipped and fell down a hillside into this forest, injuring my leg and making it difficult to walk. I thought I was going to die, but you and my wife saved me,"

the woman said.

"What!"

Yuan Yueze was stunned when he heard Susu's name.

"How could Su Su end up like this? Didn't Li Jing save her? No! What about the Twin Dragons?"

Yuan Yueze wondered to himself.

"Does the young master recognize me?"

Su Su asked, somewhat surprised.

"I've heard of Miss Su Su, but this is the first time we've met,"

Yuan Yueze explained.

Su Su was even more curious: how could this handsome man know her? She was just a lowly maid.

"I am Yuan Yueze, and this is my wife, Song Yuzhi. May I ask what Miss Su Su's plans are?"

Yuan Yueze introduced himself.

Upon hearing the names Yuan Yueze and Song Yuzhi, Su Su was immediately stunned. She covered her mouth with her delicate white hand, staring at Yuan Yueze in disbelief. Clearly, she had heard some of Yuan Yueze's exploits.

"He's Yuan Yueze? The one who's all the rage in the martial arts world? And two years ago, I heard his earth-shattering roar, and then a series of anecdotes... This man actually saved me? That fairy-like lady is the daughter of the Song clan leader? Heavens!"

Su Su thought, feeling dizzy. Everything was too unbelievable!

Surprised for a long time, Su Su finally calmed down. Seeing Yuan Yueze and Song Yuzhi smiling at her, two red clouds involuntarily rose to her cheeks. She lowered her head and whispered, "So it was the world-renowned Young Master Yuan and Miss Song who saved me."

"Sister, you must have nowhere to go now, why don't you come with us for a while? If you're alone out there, you're bound to encounter a lot of trouble,"

Song Yuzhi generously invited.

"How dare I accept the title 'sister' from Miss Song? Miss Song, just call me 'Su Su.' I won't bother Young Master Yuan and Miss Song any longer," Su Su

said, not daring to accept Song Yuzhi's invitation because of her lowly status.

Yuan Yueze and Song Yuzhi had to make a big effort to invite her warmly, and finally Su Su agreed. She dared not look up at Yuan Yueze again.

Afterwards, he listened to Su Su recount in detail how she had been separated from Zhai Jiao. Yuan Yueze was very happy: he had actually saved the pitiful and lonely Su Su this time; perhaps this was fate.

Because they needed to continue searching for the Giant Kun Gang's whereabouts, Song Yuzhi and the incredibly shocked Susu entered the bracelet to rest. Since Susu was too shy, Song Yuzhi didn't want to leave her with the crazy girls like Shan Wanjing, so she stayed inside the bracelet to personally explain things to Susu and chat with her. Yuan Yueze, traveling alone with little experience, was a concern for Song Yuzhi, so Shang Xiuxun volunteered to accompany him. Shang Xiuxun, having grown up in a respectable family, while not worldly-wise, possessed excellent manners and conduct, inspiring confidence.

Yuan Yueze and Shang Xiuxun traveled south, utilizing their profound and pure internal energy and lightness skills, traversing the Taihu Lake region, Xuancheng, Xin'an, Yuhang, Kuaiji, and even reaching Yongjia, but still found no useful clues.

The agreed-upon time quickly passed, and a travel-worn Yuan Yueze and Shang Xiuxun returned to Yangzhou to meet with the three women, Shan Meixian and her companions, as arranged.

As dusk fell, they finally met the three women, Shan Meixian and her two companions, who had been waiting for them. All three women wore expressions of joy, indicating they had found something.

Each woman explained her situation: Fu Junyu had traveled north through Zhongli, Donghai, Langya, and even along the coast to Gaomi, but still hadn't received any reliable information. Fu Junzhuo, on the other hand, had headed east; Yangzhou was already close to the Yangtze River estuary, and further east lay the sea. Fu Junzhuo had meticulously searched for information in the two major cities of Piling and Wujun. Still finding nothing, she became frustrated and encountered several lecherous men who tried to take advantage of her. In a fit of rage, Fu Junzhuo killed them all. Yuan Yueze and the other women found Fu Junzhuo's story amusing, with her pouting lips.

Shan Meixian, meanwhile, had traveled west through Lujiang, Tong'an, and Ruyin, finally obtaining reliable information from the rebel army in Yiyang. The Giant Kun Gang had recently secretly entered the Yiyang villa, accompanied by many skilled members. Shan Meixian sensed that something had happened to Yun Yuzhen, but realizing it was too late to investigate further, she rushed back to Yangzhou to reunite with the others, preparing to head to Yiyang immediately.

Yuan Yueze, after hearing Shan Meixian's explanation, also felt that the Giant Kun Gang seemed to be facing some difficulties. They decided to rest for the night and then head to Yiyang the next day. Upon

entering the bracelet area, they saw a somewhat frightened Susu. Learning of her ordeal, they chatted warmly. That night, Song Yuzhi, worried that Susu might not be comfortable, even went to stay with her, deeply moving Susu.

The next day, Yuan Yueze and Shan Meixian set off for Yiyang.

In the first year of the Huangchu era of Emperor Wen of Wei during the Three Kingdoms period, Yiyang Prefecture was established by dividing the lands of Runan and Jiangxia prefectures. Its capital was Yiyang County, and it governed four counties: Yiyang, Qisi, Dai, and Xiyang, under the jurisdiction of Yuzhou. In the third year of the Yongchu era of Emperor Wu of Song during the Southern Dynasties, Yiyang Prefecture governed three counties: Yiyang, Qisi, and Anfeng, under the jurisdiction of Nanyuzhou. In the first year of Emperor Gao of Qi's reign (1041), Yiyang Commandery governed five counties: Yiyang, Qisi, Nanxinxi, Shangcai, and Pingyu. In the thirteenth year of Emperor Wu of Sui's reign (1074), Yiyang Commandery belonged to the Northern Wei Dynasty and only governed one county: Yiyang. In the eleventh year of Emperor Xuan of Chen's reign (1075), the Northern Zhou Dynasty renamed Yiyang Commandery as Huainan Commandery. In the first year of Emperor Wen of Sui's reign (1076),

Huainan Commandery was abolished, and Yiyang Commandery was restored, governing six counties: Dingcheng, Guangshan, Yincheng, Gushi, Qi'en, and Le'an, under the jurisdiction of Yangzhou. Yiyang Commandery was too vast, and the information gathered by Shan Meixian was not particularly detailed, so the two of them had no choice but to first

try to find the Yiyang Villa, only to discover that there was no trace of the Giant Kun Gang members. At this point, the two of them were like headless flies, and finally mobilized all the women except Susu and Song Yuzhi to search together. After searching for several days, Shan Ruyin finally found a clue in a hidden valley outside Yincheng near Dasu Mountain. After resting for a night, the group went to the valley the next day, and Yuan Yueze and Shan Meixian sneaked in.

A cluster of houses stretched through the valley, seemingly newly built, and guarded by numerous men.

The two concealed their presence, landing like ghosts before the houses. They addressed the guard, "Friend, please pass on a message: an old friend requests an audience with Chief Yun."

The guard turned around, startled, wondering where these two had come from!

"What Chief Yun? There's no such person!"

the guard stammered, bewildered.

Seeing the guard's suspicion, Yuan Yueze ignored him and announced, "Yu Zhen, I've arrived."

His voice, propelled by powerful internal energy, echoed throughout the valley.

Moments later, hundreds of people surrounded them, their faces wary.

"Everyone, please step back. This young master is an old friend of mine." "

From the other end of the corridor came Yun Yuzhen's long-lost voice, slightly weak.

Hearing Yun Yuzhen speak herself, the gang members stepped back, still wondering who this man and woman were and how they had entered such a mysterious place!

After a while, Yuan Yueze and his companion, led by guards, entered a room at the end of the corridor. There were four people inside, presumably high-ranking members of the Giant Kun Gang.

Yun Yuzhen's aura was even more ethereal than a year ago, but her face was pale and she had lost a lot of weight. She stood in the center of the room, and as Yuan Yueze's long-awaited figure approached, her delicate body began to tremble violently. Her eyes were misty with tears. When Yuan Yueze reached a short distance in front of her, Yun Yuzhen could no longer hold back. Ignoring the three high-ranking members of the gang still around, she rushed into Yuan Yueze's arms like a little bird, crying out in a hoarse voice.

The three high-ranking members exchanged bewildered glances: "Who is this handsome young man? And who is that fairy beside him? How could the gang leader be so distraught?" Yuan

Yueze felt somewhat awkward. Seeing Yun Yuzhen rush into his arms, he didn't know what to say. He figured she must miss him terribly, or perhaps she had suffered a great injustice. Shan Meixian had anticipated this, so she gave Yuan Yueze a wink. Yuan Yueze had no choice but to place his hands on Yun Yuzhen's shoulders and gently stroke them.

Yun Yuzhen cried uncontrollably for a quarter of an hour before calming down. Then, realizing that several people around her were watching her, she blushed and gently left Yuan Yueze's embrace, pulling Shan Meixian to sit down.

"Yuzhen, what happened? How did you get hurt?"

Yuan Yueze immediately asked.

"When did you and your sister return to the Central Plains, young master?"

Yun Yuzhen asked instead of answering.

Before Yuan Yueze could speak, Shan Meixian recounted her experiences over the past year.

The other three high-ranking members of the Giant Kun Gang immediately understood: the man before them was the infamous Yuan Yueze, and the woman beside him was the former Lady Dongming. The three couldn't help but secretly admire them; they truly were a match made in heaven.

As Yun Yuzhen listened to Shan Meixian recount the women who had entered Yuan Yueze's home, her heart ached more and more, and her eyes grew increasingly resentful. She said sourly, "Then Yuzhen must congratulate Young Master Yuan!"

The sourness in her tone was obvious even to those who had never experienced love.

The three high-ranking members of the Giant Kun Gang were dumbfounded: since their leader had completely severed ties with the Dugu family a year ago, she had devoted herself to cultivating her martial arts, making rapid progress, and had never shown any interest in any man since. Why was she suddenly so jealous in front of someone else's wife?

Shan Meixian, being perceptive, understood Yun Yuzhen's bitterness and pulled her aside, saying, "Yuzhen, from now on, don't call your husband 'Young Master Yuan' anymore. Why don't you just call him 'husband' like your sister?"

Yun Yuzhen understood from Shan Meixian's words that she accepted her. However, she was still unsure of Yuan Yueze's feelings. She immediately felt anxious and shy, her expression shifting rapidly.

Yuan Yueze, of course, understood Yun Yuzhen's feelings and immediately smiled, "If Yuzhen doesn't mind me, then I welcome you to my family."

Looking at the blushing Yun Yuzhen, who dared not speak, the three high-ranking members of the Giant Kun Gang were completely bewildered, wondering, "What's going on? Did Young Master Yuan come to our secret base just to say some sweet nothings?"

"I am Chen Laomou, welcome Young Master Yuan and his wife. May I ask what brings you here?"

Yuan Yueze, who was staring at Yun Yuzhen who was too shy to look up, raised his head upon hearing the voice and replied, "I originally just wanted to gather some information about the latest happenings in the martial world. Later, I heard that Yuzhen had been ambushed, and since we couldn't find her, Meixian thought something had happened to her, so we came looking for her."

Seeing the delighted expressions on the faces of Chen Laomou and the other two, Yuan Yueze grabbed Yun Yuzhen's soft hand and said, "Yuzhen, tell me in detail what happened. Don't worry, whoever dares to hurt you, I will repay them a hundredfold!"

Yun Yuzhen had just seen Yuan Yueze, whom she had missed day and night, and couldn't control her emotions, which led to her earlier outburst. Little did she know that her outburst would yield even greater results. Yuan Yueze expressed his willingness to accept her, and Shan Meixian, as the eldest of Yuan Yueze's many wives, also personally said she was willing to accept her. How could she not be overjoyed? She immediately recalled her past, and a wave of bitterness washed over her, making her feel unworthy of Yuan Yueze's affection. She then began to wallow in self-pity, her mind elsewhere.

"Yuzhen, why aren't you saying anything!"

Shan Meixian, seeing Yun Yuzhen's ever-changing expression, felt a headache coming on.

"Ah?"

Yun Yuzhen was finally jolted awake: "Yuan...Young Master Yuan, what did you just say?"

"Didn't I tell you to call me husband..."

Shan Meixian teased.

Chen Laomou and the other two were once again dumbfounded: this Young Master Yuan must be extremely outstanding; his wife actually took the initiative to accept another woman! Although there were many rumors about this Young Master Yuan, none were as accurate as the information from the Giant Kun Gang, who made a living selling intelligence. The Giant Kun Gang members didn't know much about Yuan Yueze. Only a small group of members who had witnessed his actions by the river two years ago knew a little bit, but under the gang leader's orders, that small group dared not utter a single word about Yuan Yueze.

"Sister, don't laugh...don't laugh at Yuzhen. Yuzhen...is unworthy..." Yun Yuzhen's face was filled with resentment and pitifulness. She turned her head away, her voice growing softer and softer.

"Alright! Let's not talk about that now. We can talk about that later. Tell me what happened!"

Yuan Yueze knew it wasn't appropriate to discuss matters of the heart in front of outsiders. He quickly changed the subject. He was also eager to know who could have hurt Yun Yuzhen.

Yun Yuzhen knew this wasn't the time to talk about feelings, so she was about to begin her story.

Shan Meixian suddenly remembered the other women inside the bracelet and quickly pulled Yun Yuzhen aside, wanting Yuan Yueze to call the other women out so they could hear the major news that had happened in the martial arts world in recent months.

To the astonishment of Chen Laomou and the other two, the women inside the bracelet emerged. They started as small as mung beans, grew larger and larger, and finally returned to normal. Among the women, Shang Xiuxun was the most charming. Although all the women except Susu were extraordinary, at this moment, they all became, to some extent, mere foils to Shang Xiuxun.

Feeling Chen Laomou and the other two staring intently at Shang Xiuxun, their breathing becoming increasingly rapid, Yuan Yueze coughed lightly. The three snapped out of their daze and quickly turned their heads away, not daring to look again. They secretly exclaimed, "My goodness! I've finally seen a fairy with my own eyes!"

Yun Yuzhen saw that of the nine women who emerged from the bracelet, only one was relatively ordinary; the other eight were all no less beautiful than Shan Meixian. Among them was a woman even more beautiful than Shan Meixian, and Yun Yuzhen, being a woman herself, couldn't help but stare in disbelief. After a moment, she calmed down, and Yuan Yueze introduced the women to them one by one. Yun Yuzhen gave Yuan Yueze a resentful look and began to recount the experiences of the Giant Kun Gang and the events of the past few months in the martial world.

It turned out that after Yuan Yueze and the others parted ways with Yun Yuzhen about a year ago, Yun Yuzhen was indeed affected by the affairs of the gang. Although her martial arts hadn't improved dramatically, she had still raised her strength several notches. Combined with her family's swordsmanship, Yun Yuzhen led the Giant Kun Gang to become a veritable overlord in the southeastern coastal region.

As the Giant Kun Gang grew increasingly powerful, it gradually clashed with the Sea Sand Gang, one of the three major gangs along the southeast coast. The Sea Sand Gang's original stronghold was in the Yuhang area. Both sides suffered losses due to the conflict. Then, the Sea Sand Gang's "Dragon King," Han Gaitian, sent assassins to launch a night raid on the boat carrying Yun Yuzhen and several high-ranking gang members. Enraged, Yun Yuzhen gave chase, pursuing them all the way from the Yangtze River to the Taihu Lake area. Unable to contain his pent-up anger, "Dragon King" Han Gaitian mobilized his gang's best fighters, engaging in a massive battle with Yun Yuzhen and the Giant Kun Gang's elite forces. "Dragon King" Han Gaitian assumed that Yun Yuzhen, no matter how powerful, was just a young woman in her early twenties. However, Yun Yuzhen fought valiantly against Han Gaitian, You Qiufeng, and You Gui, successfully killing Han Gaitian and You Qiufeng. You Gui, cunning and treacherous, escaped through a trick.

With this incident resolved, the Sea Sand Gang was leaderless, and the Giant Kun Gang smoothly took over the former Sea Sand Gang's territory and members. Just over a month after the Hai Sha Gang was wiped out, one night while Yun Yuzhen was handling gang affairs in the Yu Hang area, eleven masked men clad in black gold armor launched a sneak attack. Each of these eleven men possessed incredibly ruthless and sinister martial arts skills. Yun Yuzhen fought them alone, initially managing to hold his own. However, after several moves, the eleven men formed a malevolent array, seemingly containing thousands of ghosts. Even the formidable Yun Yuzhen was defeated in less than fifty moves. Fortunately, the gang guards heard the fighting and summoned their members to surround and attack the eleven men. The eleven men managed to kill over four hundred members of the Giant Kun Gang and escape successfully.

Afterwards, Yun Yuzhen had to go into seclusion to recover from his injuries. However, the eleven assassins in black gold armor exerted immense pressure on the Giant Kun Gang members, ultimately forcing them, under the secret planning of several high-ranking members, to come to the Giant Kun Gang's former secret hideout. As a result, after Yun Yuzhen went into seclusion, she discovered that the sinister and malevolent energy had seeped into her internal organs, seemingly capable of eroding her flesh and blood, making it extremely difficult to eradicate. Worried that the helpers You Gui had brought would cause trouble for the Giant Kun Gang's members outside, she dared not immediately go into seclusion. That day, while discussing this matter with three high-ranking members, Yuan Yueze and his group arrived.

Yuan Yueze and the women listened quietly to Yun Yuzhen's account, falling into deep thought.

Suddenly, Yuan Yueze thought of those who had ambushed Fu Junzhuo by the Danyang River. Those people weren't particularly strong, but what was their background?

The situation was already out of control, and Yuan Yueze felt a headache coming on.

Chapter 020 Sword-wielding Fairy

Hearing Yun Yuzhen recount the events, Yuan Yueze and Shan Meixian fell into deep thought.

The others at the table, seeing this, also remained silent.

Yuan Yueze racked his brains but found no clues, finding Yun Yuzhen's assassination too unbelievable, and a surge of anger welled up within him. His entire body erupted with vital energy, as if he wanted to roar to the heavens!

Having consistently absorbed the spiritual energy of heaven and earth to refine his own, Yuan Yueze's power was now exceptionally strong. If he released all his true energy, a single roar would likely echo throughout Yiyang. Seeing this, Wei Zhenzhen hurriedly covered Yuan Yueze's mouth, but his true energy had already been activated, and he could only unleash it silently.

"Boom!"

The room where they were discussing matters, along with many surrounding wooden houses, were all affected by the powerful true energy, collapsing and shattering as if struck by a tornado. The soldiers near those houses were also affected, suffering injuries of varying degrees.

"Husband, please don't be angry. Let Zhenzhen explain,"

Wei Zhenzhen said quickly, seeing Yuan Yueze's confused expression.

"Everyone, step back. It was an accident, don't worry,"

Yun Yuzhen said, trying to calm the Giant Kun Gang members who were guarding the area further away, seeing the loud explosion and the weapons they had drawn.

"Zhenzhen will talk later. First, treat the more seriously injured nearby,"

Shan Meixian said, hearing the cries of pain from many people around her.

After speaking, Shan Meixian and the other women moved together. A quarter of an hour later, the injured gang members had been bandaged, but they just stared blankly at the several ethereal women around them.

At Yun Yuzhen's reprimand, the nearby gang members quickly looked away and retreated to a greater distance. The women returned to their seats, and Wei Zhenzhen, at Yuan Yueze's prompting, asked

, "Husband, were you just about to warn those who attacked Sister Junzhuo and Sister Yuzhen again?" “Although with my husband’s current strength, he can only spread his voice throughout Yiyang City, Zhenzhen feels that’s not appropriate. Those people don’t know his background, and even if they know my husband’s abilities, there’s no guarantee they won’t continue to use underhanded tactics. Besides, only our family knows my husband’s true abilities! What outsiders know is mostly rumors about my husband, so Zhenzhen believes that those who plot against us will definitely underestimate my husband’s abilities.” Wei Zhenzhen said, looking at Yuan Yueze who nodded. “Now my husband is no longer alone; we are connected to several forces. Those who underestimated him will surely target those connected to us, openly or secretly, once they truly witness his power. For example, Xiuxun’s family, ‘Flying Horse Ranch,’ Zhi’s family, ‘Song Family Mountain City,’ and even Master Fu’s ‘Yijian Pavilion.’” “Furthermore, even if those people realize that my husband is someone they can’t afford to offend and secretly hide away, wouldn’t all their previous actions against Junzhuo and Yuzhen have been in vain? Doesn’t my husband often say, ‘I will not offend others unless they offend me; if they offend me, I will repay them a hundredfold’? Once those people hide their whereabouts, how can we repay them a hundredfold?” Wei Zhenzhen spoke eloquently. “Zhenzhen is absolutely right. We are currently in the open while the enemy is in the shadows. Moreover, I have a vague feeling that these forces are not simple, and there may be an even bigger conspiracy behind the scenes! As the saying goes, ‘It’s easy to dodge a spear in the open, but hard to guard against an arrow in the dark.’ We understand that my husband is angry because Yuzhen was bullied, but his actions are not appropriate,” Shan Meixian interjected, advising him. Yuan Yueze listened quietly and nodded silently. The expressions on the faces of Chen Laomou and the other two were incredibly complex: this young master Yuan was terrifyingly strong; he had just casually suppressed his anger and unleashed such a powerful aura over such a wide area. And his wives were even more formidable, daring to criticize Yuan Yueze’s behavior to his face. In this era, this was truly like something out of a fantasy! Yuan Yueze, however, did not find anything wrong with Wei Zhenzhen and Shan Meixian’s actions. He also understood that in the year or so since he came to this time and space, although he was said to have entered the world, he had actually been living a carefree life. His life experience had not improved much since he was at the top of Tianshan Mountain. Moreover, everything Wei Zhenzhen and Shan Meixian said made perfect sense. What reason did he have not to listen? "Meixian has a plan, but I don't know if I should say it," Shan Meixian said, glancing at Chen Laomou and the other two a few times after seeing that Yuan Yueze still couldn't come up with a feasible solution. Chen Laomou, being an experienced old man, knew what to do in this situation. He and the other two stood up and bowed, saying, "Young master and ladies, please speak with the gang leader first. We will go and prepare some places for you to rest tonight." After receiving Yun Yuzhen's nod of agreement, Chen Laomou and the other two withdrew to do their respective tasks. “I think we should marry Yuzhen now. After her husband helps her refine her body, she can go out and handle the gang's affairs normally. Those who attacked her will surely not give up the opportunity to kill her again. We should prepare in advance, and if they come again, we can capture them all in one fell swoop. There are many ways to extract confessions. Even if they stubbornly refuse to talk, we can still kill them and avenge Yuzhen.” Shan Meixian smiled and glanced at Yun Yuzhen, whose expression was complicated. Yun Yuzhen was both shy and happy to hear Shan Meixian personally propose to accept her again. Then, she remembered her past, and her face became bitter and complicated. “Sister, I appreciate your kindness, but I cannot agree to your proposal… to the young master…” Yun Yuzhen said bitterly, her tone full of stubbornness. If she agreed to Shan Meixian's proposal, her life would be completely changed. She would have someone to care for her, a warm family, and great power. But Yun Yuzhen refused outright. It was clear how deep her feelings for Yuan Yueze were! When deeply in love, every woman wants to offer her best self to the man she loves. Yun Yuzhen, just like Shan Meixian a year ago, couldn't help but feel inferior when standing before Yuan Yueze. It was a heartache, a knot in her heart. Seeing Yun Yuzhen like this, Shan Meixian naturally felt the same way. A heartache requires a heart remedy. But the sooner she could improve her physical condition, the better she could go out and plan the operation. Yuan Yueze roughly understood Yun Yuzhen's thoughts and didn't force her. After resting with the women, he pulled Wei Zhenzhen to the makeshift kitchen to get busy. Half an hour later, several large pots of food were ready. Yuan Yueze instructed Chen Laomou and several other high-ranking members to take them out and distribute them to the busy members. Yuan Yueze's action was purely unintentional, but Chen Laomou and the others were incredibly grateful: this son-in-law of the Song clan personally cooked for the Giant Kun Gang members, and just by smelling the food, they knew how delicious it was. And looking at their leader, it seemed he had a special fondness for Young Master Yuan. "It will be a blessing for the gang leader to marry this Young Master Yuan! No subordinate likes a leader who only relies on intimidation; true talent lies in winning hearts and minds!" After the meal, Shan Meixian left Yuan Yueze and Yun Yuzhen behind, pulling the other women into the bracelet to rest. After helping Yun Yuzhen expel the evil energy from her body, Yuan Yueze led the shy Yun Yuzhen to a hilltop on the outskirts of the valley, gazing at the distant scenery. Both remained silent. "Yuzhen, can you tell me why you rejected me? Is it because I have many wives and cannot give you a complete husband?" Yuan Yueze recalled the various books he had read, especially those on psychology, and then asked. Yun Yuzhen didn't speak, only shaking her head with a sorrowful expression. "Yuzhen, do you want to hear about my background?" Yuan Yueze asked again. Yun Yuzhen's bitterness finally lessened slightly; she clearly wanted to know everything about Yuan Yueze. She had kept this question in her heart for almost a year.

Yuan Yueze then slowly began to tell his story, from entering the Tianshan Mountains at the age of four to entering the Tang Dynasty at the age of twenty. He then focused on telling Yun Yuzhen about his love affair with Shan Meixian, hoping to help her resolve her inner turmoil.

Yun Yuzhen was increasingly shocked as she listened, until her mind could no longer process it.

Yuan Yueze did not interrupt her, but gently pulled her into his arms.

After a long while, Yun Yuzhen seemed to calm down and said, "So that's how it is. After thinking carefully about what happened to you, I can finally understand."

"Actually, as Meixian said, I can be quite foolish sometimes, especially when it comes to women. I'll ask you one more time: 'Would you marry me?'" Yuan Yueze said. Yun

Yuzhen's feelings were no longer simply conflicted, but rather tormented by a variety of complex and contradictory thoughts.

"Please don't force me anymore, I understand your feelings, but I cannot... and I am not worthy..."

Yun Yuzhen lowered her head, tears streaming down her face again.

"At first, I did pity Yuzhen, but I didn't look down on her in the slightest. If Yuzhen truly wanted to submit to Dugu Ce back then, I would certainly bless you both. But I know that Yuzhen just wanted to find a powerful backer; otherwise, with your frail shoulders, you could never have shouldered such a large gang! Yuzhen must have rejected me because of her past with Dugu Ce, but I want to tell you, I don't care about such things. What matters is your heart. Do you know that during my time in Goryeo, when I thought of the Central Plains, the first person that came to mind was you, wearing a white cloak and green clothes? Your image has remained vividly clear in my mind for the past year, without the slightest blur."

Yuan Yueze said, gazing into the distance.

Having said this so bluntly, Yun Yuzhen was already weeping uncontrollably.

"The past is the past. As the saying goes, 'When you're in the martial world, you're not in control of your own destiny.' Yu Zhen's actions weren't wrong. The mistake was entering the martial world as the leader of a gang. From now on, Yu Zhen won't have to do anything against her conscience, and no one will be able to wrong you!"

Yuan Yueze added.

Looking down at the beauty whose tears had almost dried, Yuan Yueze pressed his lips directly against her small, red lips. Yun Yu Zhen felt a surge of heat in her head, forgetting everything around her, only knowing to entwine her fragrant tongue with Yuan Yueze's.

The two kissed all the way for the time it takes to burn an incense stick. When they separated, Yun Yu Zhen was already limp in Yuan Yueze's arms, her face as red as a ripe apple, pressed tightly against Yuan Yueze's warm, broad chest, unwilling to leave even for a moment.

Feeling Yuan Yueze's boundless affection and comforting words, Yun Yuzhen gritted her teeth: "Yuzhen is deeply loved by Young Master and Sister Meixian, and is willing to follow Young Master. I only hope that the other sisters will not despise Yuzhen."

Although her voice was low, her tone was full of determination.

"No one will despise you. Meixian also knows your inner turmoil, which is why she asked me to comfort you. If Yuzhen truly had no feelings for me, why would she hold onto the past so much? Besides..."

Yuan Yueze smiled.

"Besides, we all heard what Yuzhen said to herself after seeing me and the other three off a year ago."

"Ah?"

Yun Yuzhen clearly remembered those words she had murmured a year ago. Her face immediately flushed red again. She was too shy to speak.

Yuan Yueze didn't say anything more, just gently held her, looking at the scenery in the distance.

"Tonight I'll help Yuzhen refine her body, and tomorrow we'll practice some martial arts so those who harmed you can be punished sooner. What do you think, Yuzhen?"

After a long pause, Yuan Yueze finally spoke.

Yun Yuzhen nestled in Yuan Yueze's arms like a delicate kitten. Hearing his words, she understood what was going to happen tonight, and her face flushed again. She softly murmured an "Mmm."

After snuggling for a while longer, it was already afternoon, and Yuan Yueze pulled Yun Yuzhen into the bracelet. Seeing Yun Yuzhen's current state, the women knew that Yun Yuzhen's inner conflict had been resolved, and they were happy for her. Shan Meixian whispered a few words in Yuan Yueze's ear, then giggled and led the other women to see the scenery elsewhere. Yuan Yueze also smiled slightly and pulled Yun Yuzhen into the house.

Although Yun Yuzhen didn't hear Shan Meixian's words, she understood what was about to happen. She followed Yuan Yueze with her head down, her other hand tightly gripping the hem of her clothes, her delicate hand pale and bloodless from the force.

Entering the room, Yuan Yueze sat down and pulled Yun Yuzhen into his arms. Feeling her trembling slightly, he smiled and asked, "Yuzhen, are you nervous or scared?"

Yun Yuzhen, still with her head lowered, shook her head.

Logically, this wasn't Yun Yuzhen's first time; she shouldn't be so nervous. But this time was different. Before, it was merely a physical transaction. But now, it was the fulfilling feeling of finding complete belonging in her heart.

Gently lifting Yun Yuzhen's chin, looking at the beauty with her flushed face and eyes filled with spring water and happiness, Yuan Yueze was filled with emotion. He kissed her deeply and passionately. His hands were also busy, slowly moving over the beauty's exquisite body.

Yun Yuzhen felt a surge of unprecedented fullness and security. She cradled Yuan Yueze's head in her arms, her breath growing heavier and her body warmer. As Yuan Yueze's "strange hands" moved back and forth over her sensitive areas, Yun Yuzhen involuntarily let out soft moans.

Their lips parted again, and Yuan Yueze looked at the panting Yun Yuzhen in his arms, her eyes misty with desire, and said softly, "Yuzhen, entrust everything to your husband. Let our family share everything for you."

Feeling the robust "little Ze" beneath her fragrant buttocks, Yun Yuzhen whispered with both happiness and shyness, "Yuzhen is blessed by her husband; I have no regrets in this life. Please cherish Yuzhen, husband."

Removing all her clothes, her exquisite body was revealed before him. Her smooth, jade-like skin was flushed with shyness, as if radiating a halo of light. Her breasts, round and smooth, trembled slightly with nervousness, making her two bright red nipples even more striking. Her abdomen was flat and smooth, and the contours of her waist were breathtakingly defined. Her shapely, firm legs, paired with that alluring, mysterious area, were gently caressed by Yuan Yueze.

If the former Yun Yuzhen had encountered such a scene, she would have displayed a seductive charm, throwing alluring glances and striking alluring poses. But at this moment, she was like a virgin, overwhelmed by a mixture of nervousness, anticipation, and excitement.

Feeling Yuan Yueze's warm, large hand, Yun Yuzhen couldn't help but let out a soft moan. Stealing a glance, she saw Yuan Yueze's strong, upright body, full of power and beauty, like a perfectly sculpted statue.

Yun Yuzhen could only stare at Yuan Yueze's breathtaking physique, her cheeks flushed even more, her gaze unable to look away. As Yuan Yueze's body drew closer, Yun Yuzhen took a deep breath, half-closing her starry eyes and panting slightly.

Yuan Yueze's large mouth pressed against the tips of Yun Yuzhen's two trembling, proudly erect breasts, revealing a pair of delicate, beautiful, and lovely nipples, their rosy hue radiating a vibrant glow. His tongue began to tease the hardening nipples and the surrounding pink, alluring, and delicately fragrant areolas.

With her beloved man holding her sacred breasts in his mouth, sucking and licking, Yun Yuzhen's beautiful face flushed crimson, her slender, boneless body writhing beneath Yuan Yueze, her soft, red lips emitting shy moans.

The fiery spear pressed against her flat and elastic abdomen, and Yun Yuzhen's delicate body grew hotter and hotter. The emptiness in her body turned into streams of heat, wetting the sheets beneath her. Her beautiful, soft, naked, snow-white body became increasingly weak and sore, and she couldn't help but moan softly.

While kissing her breasts, Yuan Yueze ran one hand down her delicate, smooth skin, past her soft, tender belly, and into her tuft of light black pubic hair. He skillfully caressed her soft, slightly curled pubic hair, and Yun Yuzhen was blushing with embarrassment. Under Yuan Yueze's teasing and caresses, her blushing and heart-pounding physiological reactions were aroused more and more intensely. Yuan Yueze's strange hand began to slide down, caressing the smooth, delicate skin of her long, slender, snow-white legs. Then, he gently parted them and inserted his hand into the base of Yun Yuzhen's thighs, kneading and caressing. Yun Yuzhen's beautiful face was flushed red, and she breathed softly. Her mind was already blurred, and her long, slender, snow-white legs cooperated by slightly parting.

Yuan Yueze's large hands skillfully circled that most sacred, moist garden, eliciting even louder moans from Yun Yuzhen. Unconsciously, she offered her small mouth, responding passionately, writhing.

Sensing the surging spring tide and overflowing love fluid within her jade pot, Yuan Yueze inserted his massive, arm-like member between Yun Yuzhen's slightly parted, snow-white legs. He gently stroked the large, round, burning tip of his member against her soft, tightly closed, delicate petals, then thrust forward, the enormous tip parting the petals and squeezing into Yun Yuzhen's wet, slippery body.

Upon penetration, Yun Yuzhen screamed, her face turning deathly pale, her delicate brows furrowing, her pearly teeth biting her cherry lips, almost bursting into tears.

Yuan Yueze thought to himself, "She's not a virgin anymore, so why is her vagina so tight?" He stopped what he was doing and began to caress her. As Yuan Yueze's skilled movements deepened, waves of intense stimulation surged through her brain. Under the dizzying stimulation of intense pleasure, Yun Yuzhen's pain gradually subsided, replaced by an overwhelming sense of fullness. She began to moan and gasp rapidly. Yuan Yueze gradually increased his force, his long spear plunging in completely.

Yun Yuzhen's vagina was naturally short, and with Yuan Yueze's terrifyingly long spear entering her body, the tip squeezed past her cervix and into her uterus. The stimulation was unbearable; she writhed wantonly, moaning loudly.

Yuan Yueze took her small mouth into his mouth, and his spear began to thrust in and out of her unusually tight and delicate vagina. Yun Yuzhen moved passionately, her naked, snow-white, jade-like body writhing, her bright red cherry lips wide open, uttering soft cries and moans.

After savoring her small mouth, Yuan Yueze continued his actions, bending down to take one of her small, rosy nipples, hard and erect from engorgement, into his mouth. He gently licked her shy, tender nipple with his tongue, while his other hand grasped and kneaded her other trembling, soft, snow-white breast.

Yun Yuzhen's arms were tightly wrapped around Yuan Yueze's head, her pair of snow-white, smooth, and beautifully slender legs wrapped around his waist, responding to each of his thrusts. Her rosy lips uttered soft, melodious cries and gasps.

As the pleasure intensified, Yun Yuzhen's moans turned into desperate cries, her buttocks, wet from the waves, thrusting and responding, lost in waves of intense, intoxicating pleasure.

"Ah!"

With a loud, delicate cry, Yun Yuzhen clung tightly to Yuan Yueze's back, her slender waist arching violently. Her sweat-drenched body and the tender flesh within her flower path began to spasm intensely. A large gush of cool liquid spurted from her jade pot, splashing onto Yuan Yueze's penis, bringing him immense pleasure.

Yuan Yueze stopped, feeling the massage of the thousands of fleshy teeth within her flower path, and gently kissed her beautiful face. Yun Yuzhen breathed heavily, her mind blank, her eyes staring blankly at the ceiling, savoring the ecstatic pleasure of their recent union.

Yuan Yueze nibbled at her soft, translucent earlobe, asking, "Yuzhen, are you comfortable?"

Yun Yuzhen's starry eyes were half-open, her cheeks flushed with shy blush and the afterglow of their intense climax. Gradually, she regained her senses, realizing that Yuan Yueze's spear, still deeply embedded in her, was as powerful as ever. Her face, still flushed with desire, turned red again. She gave him a reproachful look and said shyly, "My husband isn't satisfied yet, let's do it again..."

Yuan Yueze nodded and resumed his actions.

Her constitution was excellent; she climaxed at least ten times before Yuan Yueze shuddered and ejaculated a thick, hot stream of semen into her deep, fiery jade pot. After being struck by the semen, Yun Yuzhen reached another peak of spiritual inspiration, convulsing and fainting, beginning to undergo the refinement of her body.

Yuan Yueze sat to the side, watching her.

"Come in," Yuan Yueze said with a smile towards the closed door.

Shan Meixian's slender figure appeared as the door opened.

"I didn't come on purpose, I just wanted to help! Who knew Yu Zhen was so amazing!" Shan Meixian

said with a charming smile.

Yuan Yueze didn't say anything, but just smiled and put his arm around Shan Meixian, sitting on the edge of the bed waiting for Yun Yu Zhen.

The refining process was very short, only a little over half an hour. Perhaps because the impurities on the surface of Yun Yu Zhen's body had already been removed in the past, this time only the deeper impurities were being eliminated.

Yun Yu Zhen was naturally of excellent physique, and she woke up after resting for a short time. Looking at Yuan Yueze and Shan Meixian beside her, Yun Yu Zhen's eyes were full of deep love and gratitude. Shan Meixian noticed that Yuan Yueze seemed to have something to say but was hesitant to say it, so she pressed him for an answer. Yuan Yueze then stammered out the question of why Yun Yu Zhen's body was still like that of a virgin.

Upon hearing this, Yun Yu Zhen's eyes welled up with tears again. It seemed that deep down, there was still an indelible sorrow in her heart.

Shan Meixian quickly comforted her, saying, "Yuzhen is no longer an ordinary person. You should know how deep your husband's love for you is. If you are unhappy, your husband will be even more distressed than you are."

Shan Meixian's words were straightforward, but Yun Yuzhen understood from them how much the two cared for and loved her. After understanding this, Yun Yuzhen wiped away her tears with her delicate hands, smiled radiantly, and offered a sweet kiss, beginning to speak: "When Yuzhen was seventeen, she met Dugu Ce. Just as she was beginning to understand what love was, she was naturally attracted to his appearance. Later, he gradually tried to please her, and her father, wanting to climb the social ladder through the Dugu clan, intentionally or unintentionally brought us together. When Yuzhen was eighteen, her father died in a gang war. Yuzhen felt she had lost everything. At that time, Dugu Ce reappeared, saying that if Yuzhen married him, he would protect the Giant Kun Gang's century-old foundation. Yuzhen was too young then and didn't understand these things at all. She was also afraid that the gang her father entrusted to her would be destroyed in her hands, so she agreed to Dugu Ce's proposal. Little did she know..." After he took Yu Zhen's body, he only knew how to play with her. Yu Zhen, burdened with the responsibilities of the gang leader and no longer a virgin, understood that the happiness a woman should have no longer belonged to her, and thus became indifferent. However, in the following years, Dugu Ce never contacted Yu Zhen again, seemingly having found a new woman. It wasn't until last year, when he came to inquire about her husband, that he came to see her again, only to be driven away. At that time, Yu Zhen felt that the only person in the world she could truly love was her husband, but she understood her own status and had no right to pursue love. Therefore, from that moment on, she resolved to sever ties with the Dugu clan, vowing never to demean herself again, whether she lived or died.

Yun Yu Zhen spoke decisively, without beating around the bush. When she spoke of Dugu Ce, it was as if she were talking about a stranger. This was the moment she truly resolved her inner conflict. If she still hated Dugu Ce, it meant that she still harbored some feelings for him. Because without love, where would the hatred come from?

Hearing all this, Yuan Yueze felt an intense hatred for Dugu Ce, and thinking of Dugu Ba, he thought to himself: "Indeed, few members of the Dugu family are normal; they're all perverts!"

Feeling Yun Yuzhen's complete openness, Yuan Yueze was overjoyed. He embraced Yun Yuzhen, and the three of them quietly savored the warmth of their moment.

Later that evening, Wei Zhenzhen came to call the three of them out for dinner. The women were all amazed when they first saw Yun Yuzhen after her body had been refined. It wasn't that Yun Yuzhen was significantly taller than the women, but rather that such a dramatic change in just a few hours was astonishing to anyone. Yun Yuzhen's appearance had now returned to that of an eighteen or nineteen-year-old, delicate and charming, radiant with beauty. Her demeanor was also like that of the other women. Amidst the women's congratulations, Yun Yuzhen generously addressed them as "sisters."

After the meal, Yuan Yueze discussed the next steps with Shan Meixian, Song Yuzhi, Yun Yuzhen, Wei Zhenzhen, Fu Junzhuo, and Fu Junyu. The other women, due to their personalities and lack of experience in the martial arts world, were not suitable to participate in such a discussion.

After half an hour of discussion, the group decided that Yun Yuzhen should first train hard in martial arts for a few days, and then reappear in the martial arts world to lure the assassins back.

Yun Yuzhen also suggested handing over the gang to a few high-ranking members, as she only wanted to travel with Yuan Yueze and her sisters, living a carefree and unrestrained life. Shan Meixian thought it over briefly and felt that Yun Yuzhen's idea was feasible, so she suggested that several trustworthy elders undergo a marrow cleansing and purification process, and that several martial arts techniques be passed on to the members of the Giant Kun Gang. This way, Yun Yuzhen could have peace of mind.

Yuan Yueze also thought this was a good idea, so Yun Yuzhen summoned several absolutely trustworthy high-ranking members, such as Chen Laomou, Bu Tianzhi, and six others, and explained the plan. Upon hearing this, Chen Laomou and the others immediately knelt down and swore a solemn oath. They were excited about the marrow cleansing and purification process, and also happy that Yun Yuzhen had found such a good place to belong. These high-ranking members were all comrades-in-arms who had followed Yun Guangling in his campaigns, and they doted on their niece, Yun Yuzhen.

Over the next five days, Yuan Yueze and his family once again used their extraordinary powers to personally cleanse the marrow and refine the essence of the seven high-ranking members, and also imparted two martial arts techniques to them. The subordinates, deeply grateful for such profound martial arts, immediately pledged their loyalty, much to Yuan Yueze's amusement.

Yun Yuzhen then publicly announced that she would pass the leadership of the gang to Bu Tianzhi, with the other six becoming elders. To show his respect and loyalty to the Giant Kun Gang, Bu Tianzhi also declared that from now on, Yun Yuzhen's every word would be obeyed by everyone in the Giant Kun Gang.

Wei Zhenzhen passed on the Plain Maiden Sword Technique to Yun Yuzhen. After eight days and nights of tireless practice in the small valley, Yun Yuzhen's martial arts skills finally began to show promise.

On the morning of the ninth day, Yuan Yueze, wearing a mask and hiding among the gang members, traveled day and night for three days and three nights under the leadership of Yun Yuzhen, finally arriving at the Giant Kun Gang's headquarters in Yuhang. After greeting the Giant Kun Gang members still stationed there, the group entered the council hall.

"Our current whereabouts will surely be noticed by those with ulterior motives. With so many of us here, the assassins might be hesitant, making it difficult to capture them,"

Song Yuzhi said first after everyone was seated.

"Yuzhi is right. We should devise a trap to make them walk into it,"

Yun Yuzhen echoed.

"That's not difficult. We just need to deliberately appear weak. Tomorrow, a few of us will leave to warn the people in Lingnan, the ranch, and Goryeo to be wary of attacks. This will make our forces in Yuhang appear weak, and if the assassins are not giving up, they will definitely come to attack again,"

Shan Meixian said.

Everyone agreed.

The final division of labor was as follows: Song Yuzhi and Shan Ruyin returned to Lingnan to deliver a message; Shang Xiuxun and Shan Wanjing returned to Feima Ranch to deliver a message; and Fu Junzhuo returned

to Pyongyang alone to deliver a message. Shan Meixian, Wei Zhenzhen, and Fu Junqiang hid beside Yun Yuzhen, who was still pretending to be injured, and could also keep Susu company. Yuan Yueze and Fu Junyu went to Huaiyang, Pengcheng, Dongping, Wu'an, and other major Song clan strongholds in the north of the Yangtze River to deliver messages. This would let outsiders know that Yuan Yueze had left Yuhang, and also quickly inform the Song clan's northern strongholds of the latest news. The Song clan occupied the south, so the northern strongholds were very important.

Because they were not worried about Yun Yuzhen and Shan Meixian in Yuhang, Yuan Yueze and Fu Junyu traveled at a leisurely pace and enjoyed their trip.

Ten days later, the two returned to Yuhang and entered Danyang.

After arriving in this time and space, Yuan Yueze seemed to have a special connection with Danyang City, passing through it several times. Entering the city, walking along the bustling main street, feeling a sense of familiarity amidst the lively atmosphere, Yuan Yueze recounted his past with Fu Junzhuo to Fu Junyu, who listened with envy.

As Yuan Yueze and Fu Junyu chatted and laughed, the sound of thunderous hooves suddenly erupted ahead, startling pedestrians on the wide street who scattered to the sides. The two stopped and looked ahead, seeing hundreds of men marching imposingly ahead, with several fierce-looking burly men relentlessly driving away those blocking the way, their shouts and curses filling the air. The surrounding people, of course, dared not provoke them and scrambled to avoid them.

Seeing this, Yuan Yueze was displeased, his brow furrowed, and he was about to walk towards the group of men. Upon seeing his expression, Fu Junyu quickly pulled him back and shook her head.

Yuan Yueze, knowing Fu Junyu was worried about him making enemies everywhere, remained silent, let out a long sigh, and stood by the roadside.

In the center of the approaching group were two men. The one on the left was burly, tall and imposing, around forty or fifty years old, with thick eyebrows, large eyes, a mustache, a hooked nose, and a broad forehead, giving him an extremely imposing appearance. His aura of battle suggested he had experienced countless wars.

The one on the right wore simple warrior attire, a large black cloak billowing high at the shoulders. This man was about forty years old, seemingly cast in iron, tall and strong as a mountain, with a bronze complexion and extraordinary imposing presence. A ferocious blue dragon was tattooed on his forehead, which, combined with his cruel, cold eyes, made him appear even more unfathomable. The powerful aura emanating from him mirrored that of the man on the left, sending chills down one's spine.

The two on horseback didn't speak much, only occasionally uttering a few words. Behind them, there were still hundreds of soldiers protecting them, their attire identical to the Jianghuai army Yuan Yueze had encountered on the road some time ago. Instantly, Yuan Yueze confirmed the two's identities. He was just a little puzzled as to why the two were appearing in Danyang City, and so brazenly at that!

The group of several hundred men escorted the two in the procession, chatting and laughing as they passed by. The man on the right looked around, scrutinizing every pretty woman who passed by. Suddenly, his gaze shifted to Yuan Yueze on the right, his eyes unexpectedly sweeping over Fu Junyu, whose face was veiled. He immediately froze on his horse. Clearly, he was captivated by Fu Junyu's charm.

Although Fu Junyu's stunningly beautiful face was hidden by the veil, her figure and temperament could not be concealed, and her expressive, clear eyes were enough to make any man in the world fall for her. Many people stared at her along the way, but seeing the sword in her left hand, most dared not provoke her, even if they had the desire. They could only cast envious glances at Yuan Yueze beside her.

The man on horseback to her right stared intently at Fu Junyu. Fu Junyu seemed to sense that gaze, looked up, and immediately felt displeased, her gaze turning cold, her beautiful eyes filled with murderous intent. The man on horseback seemed completely oblivious to Fu Junyu's murderous aura, only knowing to scan her exquisite figure with his eyes.

Yuan Yueze sensed the murderous aura emanating from Fu Junyu and asked why. Fu Junyu giggled, but did not answer. She took his arm and walked in the opposite direction.

They hadn't gone far when a shout came from behind: "Please wait, gentlemen! My master invites you to a chat."

Yuan Yueze turned around and saw that it was the man in tight-fitting clothes from the escort team. She ignored him and was about to refuse when Fu Junyu spoke up coldly, "Who is your master?"

The burly man replied arrogantly, "My master is the leader of the Iron Cavalry Society, known in the martial arts world as 'Azure Dragon,' Ren Shaoming, the leader of the Society!"

"What Ren Shaoming? Ren Shao? We don't know him. Farewell!"

Fu Junyu said.

"Insolence! You woman dare to insult my leader!"

Hearing his master insult him, the burly man could no longer bear it and drew his sword to strike at Fu Junyu. But a flash of cold light appeared before his eyes, and his body seemed to fall uncontrollably. Fu Junyu's sword was still in his hand, as if it had never been drawn at all.

"Thump," the burly man fell to the ground, lifeless.

Yuan Yueze looked at the corpse on the ground and shook his head with a bitter smile: Why didn't he cherish his life? Getting involved with us is like reporting to the King of Hell ahead of time!

Amidst the horrified gazes of the onlookers in the distance, Fu Junyu continued to link arms with Yuan Yueze and turned to walk forward.

They had only gone about ten paces when they heard the deafening sound of horses' hooves behind them. The two stopped and turned to look.

The entire group of men had returned, forming an encirclement around the two.

"Are you all tired of living?"

Yuan Yueze spoke calmly, his tone devoid of any power, as ethereal as a voice from the heavens.

The man with the blue dragon tattoo on his face dismounted, took a few steps, and spoke in a booming voice, "I am Ren Shaoming. Greetings, gentlemen. Why did you kill my men in the street?"

"Because your men insulted my beloved wife,"

Yuan Yueze replied calmly, as if the hundreds of soldiers around him were simply dead.

"I am Du Fuwei from Jianghuai. May I ask your name?"

The man on the left, who had also dismounted, interjected.

"My husband's name is not something you can simply know,"

Fu Junyu coldly retorted.

"Killing someone in the street? Do you two really think we are weaklings?"

Du Fuwei was enraged by Fu Junyu's words and shouted angrily.

"So what if I am!"

Fu Junyu replied.

"Then please, fairy, come with me! This is a matter of life and death; how can you kill me so easily?"

Ren Shaoming stared intently at Fu Junyu.

"Then let's draw a line! You scoundrel have harbored lustful thoughts towards my wife; how can I let you leave unscathed!"

Yuan Yueze's voice was no longer calm, but filled with anger.

"Hmph!"

Ren Shaoming and Du Fuwei snorted coldly at the same time, and the burly men around them immediately drew their weapons, preparing to attack.

The common people who had been watching the commotion nearby fled at the sight of this scene; who knew if they would lose their lives for watching the spectacle?

"Are you all coming at me at once, or one at a time?"

Fu Junyu asked before Yuan Yueze could speak. After mastering the "Sword Control Divine Technique," she had only sparred with Yuan Yueze and a few others, and had not yet truly practiced it in actual combat. Today was a good opportunity to test the results of her months of hard work, and also to vent her anger at being lewdly eyed.

"Why use a sledgehammer to crack a nut? Master, please allow me to fight!"

A melodious laugh, like the tinkling of silver bells, came from behind Ren Shaoming. Then, a figure flashed out from behind him—a bald beauty, none other than Yan Ni Changzhen, one of Ren Shaoming's two top generals.

Her large, captivating eyes were dark and bright, her delicate face flushed with a healthy blush, her thin eyebrows arched upwards, her cheekbones high and her nose straight, her pink lips adorned with perfectly white teeth. Her striking beauty shone like the sun. She was currently glaring angrily at Fu Junyu, clearly jealous of Fu Junyu's beauty and charm.

"Then let me teach this pretty boy a lesson!"

Another loud voice rang out from behind Ren Shaoming, and a figure appeared.

It was a burly, tall, and fierce-looking bald monk in a red robe, wearing a steel band around his forehead, wielding a staff weighing over a hundred pounds in his right hand. This man was none other than Fa Nan, another of Ren Shaoming's top lieutenants and the lover of Yan Ni Chang Zhen. He was a notorious scoundrel, known for his murders, arson, robberies, and all sorts of evil deeds, earning him the nickname "Evil Monk.

" "Hehe..."

Fu Junyu's melodious laughter rang out. She covered her face with her right hand, as if she had heard something incredibly amusing, and said, "You? You want to see my husband's skills? If you can withstand two of my moves, then you can fight him!"

Enraged by Fu Junyu's blatant disrespect, Chang Zhen and Fa Nan charged forward together.

Chang Zhen's signature weapon, the "Soul-Sealing Robe," was now like a cloud, its appearance unpredictable, its colors shifting and dazzling, making it impossible to discern Chang Zhen's next attack.

Fa Nan, meanwhile, wielded his heavy, over-a-hundred-pound staff, attacking Fu Junyu with a domineering and fierce momentum, his staff strikes aimed directly at Fu Junyu's ribs.

Seeing the approaching attack, Fu Junyu didn't draw the 'Lingxu Sword' in her left hand; instead, a flash of silver light intertwined with the 'Soul-Stealing Robe'. Her right hand formed a sword shape with her fingers, aiming at the crescent-shaped tip of Fanan's staff.

With a single strike, Fanan couldn't withstand Fu Junyu's powerful sword energy, staggering back several steps before stopping. Startled, he abandoned his underestimation and mustered all his strength to attack again.

The 'Soul-Stealing Robe,' woven from some unknown material, became incredibly soft the moment it touched the 'Lingxu Sword.' The sword energy carried by Fu Junyu's sword vanished like mud into the sea. The robe unfurled, covering Fu Junyu's entire body, while behind it, Chang Zhen's right hand, imbued with full power, aimed directly at Fu Junyu's neck. This created a pincer attack with Fanan, who was lunging forward again.

Fu Junyu's beautiful eyes widened, and a chilling sword energy emanated from the 'Lingxu Sword'.

"Clang!"

A burst of silver light flashed, blinding everyone in the arena. When they opened their eyes again, they found Chang Zhen and Fanan lying dead on the ground. The 'Soul-Stealing Robe' and Fanan's staff were shattered and lay beside their bodies.

Fu Junyu, however, remained standing there, seemingly unmoved. Her arms were clasped in front of her chest, and the 'Spirit Void Sword,' still sheathed, seemed to possess a life of its own, flitting about within a foot of her, its speed increasing rapidly, leaving behind dazzling sword shadows.

Everyone around was stunned by Fu Junyu's display, and Du Fuwei was speechless. Seeing his two most capable assistants fall dead in just a couple of moves against this frail woman, Ren Shaoming could no longer contain his rage. Ignoring the swordplay that danced before Fu Junyu, he roared, "Who are you two? Why did you kill my men like this? Do you think I'm afraid of you?!"

"My wife and I were just walking peacefully when your men insulted us first, and now these two of your men are courting death by trying to capture us. Tell me, who provoked whom?"

Fu Junyu reached for her sword and smiled slightly.

Ren Shaoming was not one to let anger cloud his judgment. He recognized Fu Junyu's incredibly skillful swordsmanship, her ability to wield the sword with such absolute control using only her inner energy. He dared not underestimate her. He looked up at Du Fuwei and said, "Steward Du, let's join forces and take this woman's life!"

Du Fuwei, a veteran of the martial world for decades, also recognized the incredible skill and mastery of Fu Junyu's swordsmanship.

Everything was going well. Arrangements had been made with the informant in Danyang, and they had joined forces with Ren Shaoming, the powerful warlord of Jiujiang. The plan was to seize Danyang, a crucial town, in a few days, then take Qichun, connecting with Jiujiang, and subsequently have a greater advantage in taking Jiangdu, the "Southern Capital."

However, Ren Shaoming suddenly became infatuated with another man's wife, and now two of his capable subordinates had died. Giving up was impossible; otherwise, where would their pride be? Du Fuwei was now in a dilemma, caught between a rock and a hard place. He was even more worried about Yuan Yueze, who stood behind Fu Junyu with his hands behind his back. The powerful internal energy emanating from Yuan Yueze instilled a strange sense of dread in Du Fuwei.

In an instant, various thoughts flashed through Du Fuwei's mind. Calming down, he whispered a few words in Ren Shaoming's ear, only to see Ren Shaoming fly into a rage, shouting, "Chief Steward Du, how can this matter end like this? If word gets out, how will I, Ren Shaoming, ever hold my head high again? I'd rather die than lose face like this! If I leave now, which of my brothers will respect me in the future!"

With that, Ren Shaoming's hands formed claws, and like lightning, he drew the pair of famous weapons, the "Wind and Rain Meteor Hammers," from his back, cursing, "You little wench, if I capture you, I'll make you groan in agony beneath me!"

Before he finished speaking, he darted towards Fu Junyu like lightning, his hammers spread wide, stirring up a storm within a ten-foot radius, his momentum like a venomous dragon emerging from the abyss, as if he wouldn't stop until he blasted the woman before him to pieces.

The rage, already burning to a fever pitch, caused Ren Shaoming to unleash his full power in a single strike. The hammer's shadow blurred, falling unpredictably.

The Iron Cavalry members watching cheered at the sheer power of Ren Shaoming's attack.

"The leader has finally made his move! That little wench is about to be captured!"

"Wow, finally we get to witness the leader's divine might!"

Ren Shaoming's attack was fierce, but Fu Junyu's expression remained unchanged, her posture as immovable as a mountain. Combined with her ethereal and graceful figure, even the Jianghuai Army soldiers watching wondered if there was a man in the world who could be so ruthless towards such a celestial beauty.

Hearing Ren Shaoming's insulting words, Fu Junyu already harbored the intention to kill him. Seeing the ferocity of his opponent's attack, Fu Junyu pointed her sword, controlling it with her inner energy. The "Lingxu Sword" hummed, as if excited to have met a worthy opponent. Then, sword energy surged forth, the sword blade spinning rapidly, converging into a solid, iron-bucket-like wall of energy.

The clanging sounds were incessant; the 'Lingxu Sword' and the 'Wind and Rain Meteor Hammer' clashed more than ten times in the blink of an eye, sparks flying and a series of crisp sounds exploding.

After one exchange, Ren Shaoming, having failed to gain any advantage, landed back on the ground. Looking at Fu Junyu ahead, he returned to his arms-crossed stance. The 'Lingxu Sword' stood motionless in front of her, its blade trembling slightly, seemingly mocking Ren Shaoming's lack of strength.

Yuan Yueze had to admire Fu Junyu's skillful use of psychological tactics. In truth, this method was extremely taxing on Fu Junyu; if she couldn't defeat Ren Shaoming quickly, she would undoubtedly lose.

"Roar!"

Ren Shaoming closed his eyes briefly, calming his burning anger. After regaining his composure, he roared and launched a two-pronged attack, his hammers striking Fu Junyu again, one in front and one behind.

The hammer shadows flashed, seemingly endless, rushing towards them. Fu Junyu's lips curled slightly as he used his sword to directly block the hammer's path with the "Lingxu Sword." Ren Shaoming's move was a perfect blend of offense and defense. The hammerhead followed an incredibly strange trajectory along the chain of hammers. The first hammer clashed with the "Lingxu Sword," while the second hammer drew a beautiful arc, aiming straight for Fu Junyu's head.

Seeing that Fu Junyu was about to become a victim of the hammer, Ren Shaoming felt a surge of pride. But then, the situation suddenly changed.

"Whoosh!"

The "Lingxu Sword," which had been locked in a fierce battle with the first hammer, suddenly appeared out of its sheath. The hilt flew like lightning in front of the second hammer, blocking Ren Shaoming's strike, which was infused with twelve percent of its power.

To Ren Shaoming's surprise, the unsheathed "Lingxu Sword," as if controlled by someone's own hand, slowly slashed at his neck.

Yuan Yueze clearly saw this move. What appeared slow to outsiders was actually lightning fast, and Ren Shaoming was likely to die by this sword.

Ren Shaoming's mind went blank; he didn't even have time to let out a final roar before the 'Lingxu Sword' swept his thick neck horizontally.

The once invincible, domineering King of Jiujiang's underworld, who had only ever been defeated by 'Heavenly Blade' Song Que, ended his blood-soaked life, dying with his eyes wide open in disbelief. Even in death, he couldn't believe he couldn't last three moves against a woman. And he didn't even know the name of his killer.

"Master!"

Ren Shaoming, who had always been seen as invincible by the Iron Cavalry members, died in just two moves. The members around the Iron Cavalry were stunned, their souls seemingly scattered, staring blankly at Fu Junyu. Du Fuwei, standing nearby, was even more horrified.

The 'Lingxu Sword' returned to Fu Junyu's hand simultaneously with its scabbard, without a drop of blood on its blade.

"Steward Du, would you like to make a move? If you're interested, I'm happy to oblige!"

Yuan Yueze walked to Fu Junyu's side, took her trembling hand, secretly channeled his inner energy into it, and then smiled at Du Fuwei, who was still visibly shocked.

Du Fuwei didn't dare to breathe. He wasn't confident he could defeat Ren Shaoming within a hundred moves, given Ren Shaoming's strength. Yet this woman had killed him so easily. Du Fuwei felt like he was in a nightmare. He dared not have any more thoughts. He bowed respectfully, his voice still lacking confidence, and said, "Your wife's swordsmanship is superb. I imagine you, young master, are also a master. How could I, with my meager skills, presume to presume to teach you? Farewell!"

After saying this, Du Fuwei remained motionless. He understood that the lives of everyone in their group were now in the hands of this young couple. He dared not move until they gave him permission to release them.

"Chief Steward Du seems to have some dealings with this Young Master Ren. Today, Chief Steward Du had no intention of bullying my wife and me, and I do not wish to provoke further bloodshed. If Chief Steward Du wishes to seek revenge in the future, please come to my wife and me! Please!"

Yuan Yueze said with a smile.

Du Fuwei dared not say another word and hurriedly led his men away in a sorry

state. He thought to himself, "Seek revenge from you? I'm grateful you didn't bother me." Glancing at the ashen-faced Iron Cavalry members around him, Yuan Yueze sighed, pulled Fu Junyu, whose breathing was gradually calming down, and walked out of the city.

Chapter 021 A Secluded Orchid in a Secluded Valley

The ninth day after Yuan Yueze left Yuhang.

Midnight, Yuhang, inside a large mansion east of the Dongtiao River.

Yuhang is located at the junction of hills and plains. During the day, Yuhang Town is picturesque, with beautiful scenery and a unique Jiangnan water town atmosphere, making it a good place to enjoy life.

Tonight, a pale moon and lonely stars hung in the sky, a gentle breeze rustling through the air. The townspeople were long asleep, save for the occasional chirping of crickets, carrying a chilling, unsettling sound.

Yun Yuzhen sat alone in her study, leaning against a candle, reviewing the various pieces of information gathered by her gang. She was even thinner than she had been two weeks ago, her face still pale, her breathing slightly erratic.

"Who goes there?"

Yun Yuzhen stopped reading, looked up, her beautiful eyes fixed on the tightly closed door, her brows furrowed, and called out sharply.

"Bang!"

The door was smashed to pieces by a powerful force, the doorframe and surrounding walls collapsing in the process.

Ten figures clad in black armor, their faces and heads covered, tall and exuding a repulsive, malevolent aura, entered the room.

"It's you again? Why is one less this time? Aren't you afraid of the inescapable net of my Giant Kun Gang?"

Yun Yuzhen forced herself to remain calm, suppressing her panic.

"Hey! We brothers have poisoned all the ambushes you had set up outside, both overt and covert! We can't believe you dare come back so brazenly!"

the leader said.

"Who are you gentlemen? Why are you against our gang? If Yu Zhen has offended you in any way, please tell her so she can apologize,"

Yun Yu Zhen continued.

The ten men were clearly taken aback: when they were about to kill Yun Yu Zhen last time, she showed no sign of weakness or begging for mercy. Why was she deliberately lowering herself today?

The ten men had been worried about an ambush inside Yun Yu Zhen's house, but now they were even more certain that Yun Yu Zhen was only being so submissive because she had used up all her 'trump cards'.

"Chief Yun, there's no need to try to trick us. We were just following orders. It's your fault for offending someone you shouldn't have!"

the leader replied.

"I understand the difficulties of you heroes, but I want to know who wants to kill me before I die! Otherwise, I won't have peace in the underworld! I know I am no match for you, so I only ask for a quick and painless death, and to die knowing the truth!"

Yun Yuzhen cried and pleaded with tears streaming down her face.

Having said that, he tossed the sword from the desk in front of the ten men, giving up resistance.

"Since Chief Yun is like this, I may reveal some information to you. We are under orders from Lord Yuwen. That's all I can say, Chief Yun , please depart!"

The leader pondered briefly before replying. With a gesture, the ten men surrounded Yun Yuzhen, ready to attack.

"So you're Yuwen Clan's lackeys!"

A melodious voice came from behind a screen not far away.

"Who? Come out!"

The leader's heart trembled: Why were there others in the room? Why hadn't they noticed?

Light footsteps sounded, and three alluring figures emerged from behind the screen.

"Damn it! Chief Yun, what a scheme! Attack!"

The leader, his surprise mixed with an indescribable fear, shouted.

The ten men were now surrounding Yun Yuzhen; their sole objective was to take her life. The three women behind the screen were clearly masters among masters. To prevent any surprises, the ten men immediately attacked Yun Yuzhen in the center. A fierce wind swept through the room, filling it with an eerie aura.

In the brief moment the ten men were stunned, Yun Yuzhen used her inner energy to draw the sword from the ground back into her hand, and engaged them in a fierce battle.

The leader, while attacking Yun Yuzhen, glanced at the three women emerging from behind the screen. The scene puzzled him: Yun Yuzhen was being attacked by ten men, yet the three women with powerful inner energy remained standing, observing the fight. Two of them were unarmed, their hands behind their backs. The third held her sword to her chest, looking eager to join the fray.

Although surprised, the leader's unease grew stronger. In a short while, they exchanged over a thousand blows. Yun Yuzhen's aura alternated between overwhelming power and a blend of softness and strength. The ten men in black armor, despite their best efforts, could not harm her in the slightest.

The longer the battle dragged on, the worse it became!

The leader of the group clearly knew better than anyone!

"Netherworld Grand Formation, activate!"

With a loud shout from the leader, the inner energy of the other nine men surrounding Yun Yuzhen shifted dramatically! A chilling, sinister aura emanated from their malevolent energy, their moves becoming increasingly unpredictable and their coordination exceptionally skilled.

Yun Yuzhen once again experienced the feeling of being haunted by countless ghosts she had encountered with this grand formation before. She was puzzled: why was she still bewitched by this formation after refining her body?

Little did she know that this kind of influence on the mind was purely spiritual, completely unrelated to the strength of the physical body.

In a moment of distraction, the black gold short sword in the hand of the enemy in front of Yun Yuzhen pierced straight towards her brow!

Just as the man thought he could pierce Yun Yuzhen's brow, the powerful, sinister short sword suddenly vanished as if struck from a bottomless abyss. It turned out that Yun Yuzhen had deflected the fierce attack with her soft, yin-like energy.

"Ah!"

A scream rang out. The leader cried out: Oh no!

It turned out that Fu Junqiang, seeing Yun Yuzhen seemingly under the influence of this evil formation, couldn't help but use her qi to control her sword, the 'Chongxu Sword,' piercing the neck of the burly man near Fu Junqiang and the other two women. The

'Netherworld Formation' lost another foothold, but its power didn't diminish.

Unable to break through after a prolonged attack, the remaining nine had no time to consider why Yun Yuzhen had become so strong. The leader suddenly let out a strange cry, and the nine fought even more desperately. Yun Yuzhen, affected by the evil energy, gradually began to struggle.

Seeing that Yun Yuzhen seemed to be affected by the opponent's life-burning fighting style, Shan Meixian was about to rush forward to help.

"Screech!"

A delicate shout came from within the formation, and the sword's momentum changed drastically.

Yun Yuzhen's long sword danced, like autumn water falling from the sky, transforming into an endless Milky Way, turning and flowing joyfully in the void. Sometimes soaring into the sky, sometimes landing on the ground, sometimes transforming into flowing silver light, sometimes scattering into a sky full of stars.

What appeared to be a graceful fairy's sword dance could only be truly appreciated by the nine people directly involved, who could experience the sheer power and ferocity of Yun Yuzhen's swordplay.

Because of the close proximity and the slightest pause, the swords, thrusting at unimaginable angles like celestial horses galloping through the air, struck their knees almost simultaneously, eliciting screams of agony. The grand formation's power crumbled instantly!

Yun Yuzhen withdrew her sword, revealing that the legs of the nine men below the knees had been completely severed, leaving them groaning on the ground, staggering. Even their invincible black gold armor had been sliced through like thin planks.

The outcome was decided. The three women who had been watching the spectacle rushed forward immediately, using their profound inner energy to seal the vital points around the nine men's bodies.

"Junqiang, go and inform the Bu Gang Leader and the elders in the secret chamber in the backyard. Interrogation is not our specialty,"

Shan Meixian ordered.

Fu Junqiang nodded and left. In a short while, Bu Tianzhi led the six elders into the house, which was now a mess from the fight.

"Thank you for your trouble, ladies. Please rest in the backyard. We'll take care of the rest,"

Bu Tianzhi said, glancing at the nine people still alive on the ground.

"The gang members who set up the decoys outside will need your help, uncles,"

Yun Yuzhen and the other three women nodded and walked out.

"Sister Yuzhen, you're such a good actress! You looked so pitiful. If you were a man, you wouldn't have the heart to hurt me!"

Fu Junqiang said, pulling Yun Yuzhen's hand as they walked.

"Yuzhen did a great job. At least we know they were sent by the Yuwen Clan. And judging from their appearance, it's unlikely that Elder Bu will get any more useful information from them,"

Shan Meixian added with a smile.

"Let's go back and think about it more carefully. I'll make some of my latest pastries for everyone. My husband and Sister Junyu should be back soon,"

Wei Zhenzhen said.

"Great! Great! Zhenzhen's cooking is the best!"

Fu Junqiang exclaimed.

The four women chatted and laughed as they walked towards the backyard, showing no signs of having just experienced a life-or-death battle.

After Yuan Yueze and Fu Junyu left Danyang, Fu Junyu suggested they go sightseeing in nearby Lujiang. Yuan Yueze didn't object; there was nothing to worry about now, so accompanying her around was fine.

The two walked in the countryside, chatting and laughing intimately.

Suddenly, Yuan Yueze stopped, his brows furrowing slightly as he stared into the distance. Fu Junyu, puzzled, followed his gaze.

"Husband, that thick smoke in the distance seems to be from a fire,"

Fu Junyu said.

Yuan Yueze nodded, pulled Fu Junyu along, and they sped towards the smoke.

Reaching a small hill, the two stopped. About a mile away, they saw what appeared to be a village engulfed in flames. The raging flames were several meters high.

Fearing for lives, the two hurried towards the fire.

En route, they encountered a troop of over two hundred men, soldiers of unknown origin, their uniforms disheveled and their banners askew. Yuan Yueze and Fu Junyu sighed inwardly: even the Sui army looked like this; how could they possibly defeat the local rebel armies?

Then Yuan Yueze wondered: judging from the direction this Sui army was heading, they had clearly passed the burning village half a mile away; why weren't they helping to extinguish the fire and rescue the people?

Their thoughts raced in an instant; without time for further contemplation, Yuan Yueze pulled Fu Junyu along and continued towards the burning village.

A short while later, the two finally arrived at the village, still engulfed in flames. The village, with about a hundred households, was eerily silent, devoid of any cries for help.

Filled with curiosity, Yuan Yueze and his companion entered the village where the fire had subsided.

A scene that Yuan Yueze would never forget unfolded before his eyes.

Bloodstained corpses littered the roadside, clearly murdered, not burned to death. Further on, the disheveled bodies of young women lay scattered about, their genitals mangled, indicating they had been raped and murdered. Continuing on, the corpses of the elderly, women, and children came into view. Especially disturbing were the bodies of several children, perhaps only four or five years old, covered in blood, their deaths gruesome and shocking!

Seeing all this, Yuan Yueze clenched his fists, his body trembling violently, tears welling in his eyes.

With each step forward, the surrounding stench of blood and corpses relentlessly pounded at his soul.

His heart had never ached so much!

This wasn't the first time Yuan Yueze had witnessed bloodshed and death. But the previous times, it was either his enemies or people connected to him. This time, however, he was merely an observer, watching the hellish scenes unfold around him.

Fu Junyu couldn't bear to look any longer. She turned her head away, grasped Yuan Yueze's trembling right hand, and said, "It must have been the work of that Sui army. What's so special about such a small village? They seem to only enjoy burning, killing, and looting. Such cruelty towards the common people is utterly unforgivable."

"Junyu, please help bury these people's bodies,"

Yuan Yueze said, his voice trembling. His gaze remained fixed on the corpses of the children not far away.

After speaking, Yuan Yueze turned and left.

Fu Junyu knew what he was going to do and grabbed his large hand to comfort him, "Go ahead and do it, my husband."

Yuan Yueze's body was still trembling. He didn't reply, but turned back and gently kissed Fu Junyu's forehead before leaping away and galloping off.

Watching Yuan Yueze's figure gradually disappear into the distance, Fu Junyu sighed, formed a sword with his fingers, and unleashed a powerful sword aura that blasted a large crater in the ground. He

then turned to gather the surrounding corpses. "Hey, that village wasn't big, but it had a lot of beautiful women. Brothers, you really got your fill this time!"

The soldiers in the group reminisced indiscriminately as they walked.

"That's right, even though we were defeated, we can't let our brothers down!"

"Boss, are there any other villages nearby? I'm getting irritated again!"

"You son of a bitch, you'll die on a woman's belly sooner or later!"

The leading soldiers continued to hurl insults, intending to continue searching for a 'target'.

"Boom!"

A figure flew out of nowhere from the front of the group, landing squarely in front of them, blasting a large crater several feet in diameter into the ground.

"Damn it! Pretty boy, blocking my way, you want to die?"

Upon seeing someone standing alone in front of the group, the leading soldier immediately drew his long sword and cursed angrily.

"Beast!"

Yuan Yueze's eyes were bloodshot, his clothes and long hair fluttering without wind, an eerie sight! He roared, his furious rage igniting a surge of true energy, his killing intent exploding violently!

The purple figure moved like a tiger among sheep, using no fancy moves, simply smashing the bodies of each soldier before him with his fists, one blow after another.

"Spare us! Spare us!"

In just ten breaths, Yuan Yueze had reduced the group of over two hundred men to only a few dozen.

Overwhelmed by the aura of this killing god, the remaining men hastily dropped their weapons, kneeling and begging for mercy.

Yuan Yueze, covered in blood, stood before the kneeling men, coldly staring at them like a grim reaper descending from the heavens.

He took a few steps forward, reaching the foremost soldier. Yuan Yueze's left hand formed a claw, grabbing the soldier's head and lifting him up.

"Spare you? Why did you humiliate and kill innocent civilians?"

Yuan Yueze's eyes flashed with murderous intent as he stared into the soldier's eyes and asked coldly.

The soldier, terrified by Yuan Yueze's cold gaze, couldn't utter a word.

Yuan Yueze's killing intent intensified. He shoved the soldier to the ground with his left hand and slammed his right fist into the soldier's chest.

"Answer me!"

With this roar, Yuan Yueze's right fist rained down on the soldier's body. The soldier didn't even have time to utter a word of begging for mercy before Yuan Yueze's powerful fist pierced through his chest!

Among the dozens of survivors around, many had already lost control of their bladders in fear. Watching Yuan Yueze's fists relentlessly pound on the soldier's upper body, now a bloody mess, the remaining dozens, led by someone, picked up their weapons and ended their own sinful lives!

"Devil, stop!"

A woman's delicate shout drew Yuan Yueze's attention, who was still venting his anger on the soldier's mangled body.

Yuan Yueze turned his head and saw a tangible yet intangible sword aura rushing towards him!

Extending his blood-red left hand, he grasped the tangible yet intangible sword energy in his claw. With a slight exertion, the sword energy shattered.

The woman who had launched the sneak attack was startled. Just as she was about to retaliate, a flash of red light appeared, and a hand as strong as an iron claw gripped her throat! The woman's eyes were filled with horror, yet she remained calm under pressure. Gathering all her strength in her right hand, she cleaved her sword straight at Yuan Yueze's ribs!

"Clang!"

A spark flew, and the woman's eyes widened in even greater terror. Her sword, when it struck Yuan Yueze's ribs, failed to penetrate at all, and the impact left her right hand numb and tingling.

"You're courting death!"

Yuan Yueze's anger had not yet subsided. Seeing the woman's sneak attack followed by resistance, and feeling the pain in his ribs, he instantly transformed his right hand into a palm, unleashing a powerful, skin-slicing gust of wind, aiming straight for the woman's crown!

"Husband, stop!"

Fu Junyu's voice came from behind, and Yuan Yueze's mind immediately calmed down. His palm strike stopped an inch from the head of the trembling woman.

He withdrew his right palm and then his left claw, which was stuck in the woman's throat. Yuan Yueze withdrew his energy and turned to walk towards Fu Junyu, who was rushing towards him.

The woman, overwhelmed by Yuan Yueze's aura, suddenly knelt on the ground as if she had lost all support.

Fu Junyu rushed over, glanced at the woman not far away, then squeezed Yuan Yueze a few times and breathed a sigh of relief. She glanced at the woman again, then pulled Yuan Yueze up and was about to leave.

"Wait...wait, why did you kill the soldiers?"

The woman kneeling on the ground was still shaken, but for some reason, she asked.

"Get out!"

Yuan Yueze was in a terrible mood and roared without turning his head, startling the woman again.

“Young lady, this group of soldiers just murdered over a hundred people in the village a mile ahead, sparing neither the old nor the young, women and children, and even wantonly humiliating young women…”

Fu Junyu pulled Yuan Yueze back, helping him calm his anger, and turned to the woman.

Fu Junyu then carefully examined the woman. She was dressed in a white, fitted outfit, revealing her graceful figure. Her skin was fair and smooth, her eyebrows delicate, and her eyes sparkling. Her face was pale from shock, but it didn't diminish her youthful charm; she was truly a stunning beauty.

The woman was speechless after hearing this, silently nodding. Seeing that Yuan Yueze and Fu Junyu were about to leave, she quickly asked, “May I ask your names?”

"No need to ask my name, see you again someday!"

Yuan Yueze was too lazy to say another word. Fu Junyu replied.

Then, under the woman's dazed gaze, Yuan Yueze and Fu Junyu walked away hand in hand.

After this incident, Yuan Yueze and Fu Junyu lost all interest in sightseeing and headed straight for Yuhang in silence.

Using their vast inner energy, they flew all the way, and a day later, they returned to the courtyard where Yun Yuzhen and the other women lived.

Fu Junyu looked at Yuan Yueze with worry, unsure how to comfort him. She hoped the other sisters would have a solution.

As soon as they entered the courtyard, they heard the lively laughter of Shan Ruyin and Shan Wanjing coming from the main house.

Sensing Yuan Yueze and Fu Junyu's presence, Shan Meixian hurriedly led the other women out to greet them.

Yuan Yueze glanced at the women and saw that Shang Xiuxun, Song Yuzhi, and the others who had gone out to communicate were there, knowing that they had completed their respective tasks. Fu Junzhuo hadn't returned yet, seemingly because Goryeo was too far from Yuhang, and it couldn't be a round trip in just over ten days. Glancing at Yun Yuzhen and Shan Meixian, both women smiled sweetly at him, and Yuan Yueze understood that they hadn't encountered any major trouble while guarding the place.

The group entered the house, and after Wei Zhenzhen brewed tea, Yuan Yueze put his arm around her slender waist. He asked

each of the women about their experiences over the past few days. The women had communicated smoothly without any obstacles. Upon hearing that the assassins had been captured, Yuan Yueze nodded.

"But it's such a pity. The uncles tried everything to torture them, but they wouldn't speak even under torture. Alas..."

Yun Yuzhen said regretfully.

"Was the torture not harsh enough?"

Fu Junyu asked.

"We didn't see it ourselves, but after hearing Uncle Bu talk about it, we were all a little scared. Uncle Bu said that they cut those men's arms down to the bone, but they still gritted their teeth and wouldn't speak, and then... then..."

Yun Yuzhen started to speak with some lingering fear, but her face turned red towards the end.

"What happened now?"

Yuan Yueze pressed, seeing her stammering.

"They...they cut off all their men's 'things' again, but they still wouldn't talk. In the end, Uncle Bu had no choice but to kill them."

Yun Yuzhen stammered, her face flushed, and hid behind Shan Ruyin beside her.

Yuan Yueze and the other women laughed when they saw Yun Yuzhen so embarrassed, making her blush and act coquettishly.

The women then asked about Yuan Yueze and Fu Junyu's situation. Yuan Yueze's expression changed immediately, and he didn't say anything, only turning to look out the window. The women thought Yuan Yueze had encountered something terrible, so they quickly asked Fu Junyu. Fu Junyu then recounted what had happened along the way, and when she talked about killing Ren Shaoming, the women all nodded in agreement. When she talked about what she saw and encountered in the burned village, the women all looked somber.

"Alright, don't think about it too much. I'm taking a break today. Zhenzhen, go cook something."

Yuan Yueze forced a smile and said to Wei Zhenzhen.

"My husband and all the sisters are tired. Zhenzhen will go prepare the meal right away."

Wei Zhenzhen could sense the sadness in Yuan Yueze's heart. For the first time ever, she gave him a kiss in front of all the women, then blushed and ran away.

Dinner wasn't lively, because all the women could sense Yuan Yueze's gloomy mood. No matter how hard he tried to smile, he couldn't hide it from these observant women.

After dinner, Yuan Yueze went alone to the hills of western Zhejiang near Yuhang to gaze into the distance.

The scene he had witnessed today was deeply imprinted in his mind. In the past, the lives of the poor people he had seen in Goryeo were merely a matter of accumulating wealth, but what he had encountered today became a trigger for a qualitative change in his perspective.

In the two years he had been in this time and space, he had only known how to live a free and carefree life. Back in Goryeo, he had questioned his own approach to life several times, but today, that doubt was heavier than ever before. His benevolent heart seemed to urge him on: it was time to do something!

He could conquer the world, but his governing skills were all from books—theoretical knowledge that couldn't be put to practical use! He firmly believed that even with power, he wouldn't become corrupt, but how could he manage his officials? How could he strategize? His heart was too soft, destined to prevent him from ever becoming a competent ruler.

Yet, he felt deep sorrow for the poor people of this era. Upon reflection, his current predicament was merely a small scene; in this chaotic age, such scenes could occur every day.

The more he thought about it, the more conflicted he became, the more he sank into a dead end. Yuan Yueze wanted to roar to the heavens!

"My husband is perplexed,"

came Shan Meixian's ethereal voice from behind.

Yuan Yueze turned, forcing a bitter smile at the beauty, but didn't answer.

“Actually, what you and Junyu saw today is nothing in this era. It’s the first time you’ve seen someone bully the weak, and your heart of benevolence is inevitably wounded,”

Shan Meixian said, taking Yuan Yueze’s hand.

“You’re conflicted

, my husband,” Shan Meixian added when Yuan Yueze didn’t answer.

“I know what I’m made of, but I genuinely want to do something practical for the people,”

Yuan Yueze said, gazing into the distance.

“Meixian has a method, but I don’t know if it’s feasible,”

Shan Meixian said.

“Since you don’t want to be an emperor, and you don’t have the ability to be one, why don’t we assist an emperor to end the chaos quickly?”

Shan Meixian’s beautiful eyes sparkled with wisdom.

“Assist an emperor?”

Yuan Yueze scoffed. “Are there any emperors in this world worth assisting?”

“Why not?”

Song Yuzhi’s voice came from behind.

Yuan Yueze turned around and saw that the women had all come out of the city to find him.

Seeing how worried the women were about him, Yuan Yueze felt a little guilty and gestured for them to sit down and talk.

"Zhizhi said, who in this world is worth our help to quickly end the chaos?"

Yuan Yueze asked.

"Li Shimin of the Li clan, what do you think?"

Song Yuzhi replied.

"Yes!"

Fu Junyu chimed in, "The historical materials from later generations that my husband showed me record Li Shimin as the emperor who unified the Central Plains after becoming Yang Guang, and the book even says that Li Shimin was a wise ruler rarely seen

throughout history!" Fu Junyu and Yuan Yueze often looked through the various books from later generations that Yuan Yueze showed them, along with Shan Meixian, Wei Zhenzhen, and Song Yuzhi, so they could be considered half-time travelers.

"Meixian, you should have also seen the historical materials I showed you, why don't you speak up? What do you think of Li Shimin?"

Yuan Yueze didn't answer Song Yuzhi's question, but instead asked Shan Meixian.

Shan Meixian simply shook her head mysteriously: "Li Shimin may be seen as a good emperor by later generations, but only compared to emperors throughout history! Historical records show that Li Shimin became corrupt in the later years of his reign."

"Li Shimin possessed the talent and qualifications to become emperor because he was among the best of his time."

"However, if my husband were to assist an emperor, Li Shimin would not be qualified, because the emperor we are to help will be given elixirs to extend his lifespan and will rely on his governance methods to change various outdated systems that have been passed down for thousands of years, such as why there is a hierarchy among people."

Yuan Yueze nodded and said, "It is indeed as Meixian said. If there really is an emperor who can implement the system of later generations within a few hundred years, we can definitely help him!"

"But unfortunately! There is no such person in the world! Because no matter how talented or outstanding he is, he still cannot escape the framework of this era. And although I know all the principles, I am simply not cut out for it. Alas..."

Yuan Yueze sighed.

"That's right!"

After a long silence, Wei Zhenzhen suddenly called out. Everyone's eyes turned to her.

"Husband, do you remember what Master told us before returning to the God Realm? There are five people in the world who possess the aura of an emperor! This means that these five people are the most outstanding people of this era. Why do you only think of Li Shimin?"

"Yes! I remember too! Master said that the five people were in Yangzhou, Taiyuan, Luoyang, Lingnan, and Baipu respectively."

Shang Xiuxun also spoke up.

"What? There are also people with the aura of an emperor in Lingnan?"

Song Yuzhi asked curiously.

Yuan Yueze and Shan Meixian remained silent and deep in thought after hearing this.

“Taiyuan is definitely Li Shimin, Yangzhou is definitely Kou Zhong, and the others in the other three places are still hard to determine,”

Yuan Yueze said.

“In that case, let’s visit the other cities and see who has the aura of an emperor. But I wonder who in Lingnan has that aura? Is it Father or Second Brother?”

Song Yuzhi asked curiously.

Thinking of Song Que and Song Shidao, Yuan Yueze shook his head. Song Que was indeed formidable on the battlefield, but his vision was too short-sighted. If Song Shidao were to become emperor, he would definitely be a good emperor, but like Yuan Yueze, he simply didn’t have the ambition, and it was hard to say whether he even had the ability to control his ministers!

“Let’s not worry about that for now. Let’s do as Zhizhi says and visit a few cities first. But if we really find an emperor worth supporting, our lives might not be so carefree,”

Yuan Yueze sighed.

"It will indeed affect our lives, but it shouldn't be too big. We're not going to fight on the battlefield! We just need to lend a hand at crucial moments, and use the information from later generations in the books to help us, right?"

Shan Meixian laughed.

"That's right! How could I forget that! It seems that even if there is an emperor worth assisting, it won't have much of an impact on us! I finally understand why Master told us about those with the aura of a king before he left. Maybe he foresaw the path we would take in the future, so he gave us a shortcut in advance."

Yuan Yueze pulled Shan Meixian close, kissed her, and laughed.

"Tch! My sisters are watching, why aren't you letting go!"

Shan Meixian said, blushing.

"What's wrong with my family watching? I'm going to give them a demonstration here!"

Yuan Yueze's worries disappeared, and when his absurdity kicked in, he was capable of anything!

Shan Meixian was held tightly by Yuan Yueze, trying to break free but unable to. When Yuan Yueze's big mouth pressed against hers, she immediately lost all her strength and gasped for breath.

"Alright, alright, husband, quickly show us with Sister Meixian!"

Shan Ruyin exclaimed.

The more composed women all spat in unison.

After a while of playful banter, Yuan Yueze, as if noticing something, looked up and scanned the women, asking, "Where is Miss Susu?"

"Husband, you just realized? Sister Susu was sent back to Xingyang a long time ago. She rushed back and only arrived in Yuhang the day before yesterday!"

Fu Junqiang said coquettishly.

Upon hearing this, Yuan Yueze's heart sank immediately: "Why didn't she wait for me to come back? Did she insist on leaving?"

Fu Junqiang nodded, puzzled: "Although Sister Susu is gentle, she is very strong-willed and stubborn. On the day you left, after hearing Sister Yuzhen talk about Li Mi of Wagang Village wanting to harm the leader Zhai Rang, she became very worried and insisted on going back to report the news. She wouldn't listen to anything we said."

Susu's personality was indeed as Fu Junqiang described. If she insisted on doing something, even if Yuan Yueze were present, he probably couldn't stop her.

Seeing Yuan Yueze's strange reaction upon hearing of Su Su's departure, Wei Zhenzhen, who had already read the Complete Book of the Tang Dynasty, naturally understood his concerns. She then recounted Su Su's experiences in Xingyang as recorded in the book, and the women immediately sensed something was amiss.

Shan Meixian laughed, "I've already left a wisp of extraordinary power within Su Su's body; it will ensure her safety!"

"Meixian, you've been confused this time. Extraordinary power requires concentration to draw out from the sea of consciousness. What if Su Su panics and forgets?"

Yuan Yueze said.

Shan Meixian was immediately speechless, but then looked aggrieved and said, "I spent two days recovering just to draw out this extraordinary power!"

Yuan Yueze hurriedly comforted her.

"Sister Su Su is a good girl. We can't know what happened to her and not help her. Let's go to Xingyang tomorrow. Anyway, there's nothing to worry about within the Giant Kun Gang right now,"

Yun Yuzhen said.

"Great, off to play somewhere else again! Sister Susu actually has a crush on our husband! She always asks people to talk about him, and her eyes light up whenever she hears about him,"

Song Yuzhi laughed.

The group giggled again.

The next day, after bidding farewell to Bu Tianzhi and the elders and reminding them to be careful of enemies, the women retreated into their bracelets to enjoy life, while Yuan Yueze and Fu Junqiang, who was still clinging to him, headed towards Xingyang alone.

Although the Yuan family members had diverse martial arts backgrounds, they shared a common physical advantage. Before Yuan Yueze went into seclusion in Goryeo, the women were all extremely interested in his Qi cultivation methods, so the women who practiced diligently now had abundant Qi. If a top-tier master used all their Qi to perform light-body techniques, they could only travel a hundred miles at most. But Yuan Yueze and Fu Junqiang could travel at least four hundred miles before running out of Qi. Their Qi replenishment speed was also astonishingly fast.

Fu Junqiang, running at breakneck speed, even had time to show off her swordsmanship. Two figures, almost indistinguishable to the naked eye, raced across the plain, Fu Junqiang's sword dancing incessantly around her, a truly beautiful sight.

When they reached a grove of trees near Huaiyang, Yuan Yueze suddenly felt his heart pound. Curious, he pulled the intrigued Fu Junqiang to a stop. It

turned out to be a small lake in the grove. Yuan Yueze's eyes fell on a woman standing on the shore not far ahead. The woman's figure seemed familiar, but Yuan Yueze couldn't quite place where he had seen her before. He and Fu Junqiang walked towards the woman, who was staring at him with a surprised expression.

The closer they got, the faster their hearts raced.

As they approached, a scene from the past flashed through Yuan Yueze's mind.

"It's you!"

they both exclaimed almost simultaneously.

Yuan Yueze scratched his head awkwardly and said, "It truly is 'A drifting duckweed returns to the vast sea, where in life do we not meet again'! Miss, we meet again."

Hearing Yuan Yueze's two exquisite lines of poetry, the woman also spoke up, "Young master, your writing is excellent, especially the line 'Where in life do we not meet again'."

Her voice was ethereal, as melodious as fairy music.

Then, when her gaze turned to Fu Junqiang, a look of surprise flashed across her face, not only because of Fu Junqiang's beauty, but also because of her swordsmanship, which seemed more pleasing than any acrobatic performance.

Yuan Yueze was taken aback, his face slightly flushed, "Miss, you flatter me. Those lines were not my own. I merely borrowed someone else's."

The woman exclaimed "Oh," clearly disbelieving, for despite her extensive reading, she had never heard of such lines.

Curious, Fu Junqiang looked the woman up and down. Realizing Yuan Yueze seemed to know her, she giggled, "Husband, talk to this lady. I'll wait for you a mile ahead."

Fu Junqiang skipped and hopped away. Yuan Yueze and Fu Junqiang, unsure what to say, stood there, gazing at the distant lake and meadow.

Yuan Yueze, by his heartbeat and the woman's eyes, recognized her as the woman he had met on the streets of Chengdu that day. Though her face had changed, and she was still ugly, Yuan Yueze instantly understood: she must have disguised herself.

The woman, of course, also recognized Yuan Yueze from his figure and eyes. Especially his eyes, so vast and clear as a starry sky—she hadn't forgotten them in the past six months.

"Why did you disguise yourself, young master?"

After a long silence, the woman finally asked, clearly finding Yuan Yueze the most pleasing sight at that moment.

"It was to avoid attracting attention. You must have disguised yourself too, young lady,"

Yuan Yueze replied with a faint smile.

"Hehe, you saw through me!"

The woman giggled, her voice full of coquettish charm and cuteness.

With that, she removed her ugly disguise, revealing a face that could only be described as "heavenly."

This woman possessed a pure and refined air, a serene and dignified beauty, seemingly untouched by worldly concerns. Her beauty was beyond compare, a face that could shame the moon and flowers, a beauty that could make fish sink and geese fall from

the sky. Her figure was perfect, exuding a captivating charm, yet somehow, one dared not entertain any romantic thoughts, lest one defile her sacred elegance. For an ordinary person to possess such beauty was truly rare, one of the most beautiful in the world. The moment Yuan Yueze saw her true face, he couldn't help but think of the former Shang Xiuxun.

What set this woman apart was her unique气质 (

qi zhi, a kind of refined elegance or aloofness) , which could only

be described in four words: a rare and beautiful orchid in a secluded valley. Yuan Yueze was not one to be easily swayed by beauty; he merely glanced at the woman before continuing to gaze into the distance, smiling as he asked, "Why do you wear such a mask, young lady?" "I wear this mask so that I can understand people's hearts more deeply, "

the woman replied softly.

"Though people in this world may not wear masks on their faces, they do in their hearts, making it impossible to know whether someone is truly good or evil. Wearing this mask allows one to see many things more clearly." "I agree with you," Yuan Yueze sighed. "For example, when your family hurts you, when someone you considered a friend betrays you, when your lover, who was all lovey-dovey with you yesterday, becomes a stranger, you

feel pain and helplessness. When you finally realize it's too late to salvage the situation, and then lament, 'Why am I always the one who gets hurt? What did I do wrong?' you have no choice but to put on a mask. This kind of mask is a mask of the soul." He had read countless books, pursuing a carefree and unfettered life, wanting to avoid too much connection with the world.

The woman listened to him, her face full of curiosity. Seeing that he only glanced at her face briefly, she secretly admired his skill.

"Does your heart also wear a mask, young master?"

the woman asked almost imperceptibly, then suddenly felt it was presumptuous, her face flushing slightly as she looked into the distance.

"No, I disguise myself simply to avoid being bothered and having my life disrupted,"

Yuan Yueze answered straightforwardly. His inner thoughts were indeed completely undisguised; everything he thought was written on his face and spoken aloud.

"Then you are truly enviable, young master!"

the woman sighed softly, as if recalling something.

"I can sense that you are very lonely, that you are in great pain, and that your eyes seem to be shedding tears of blood,"

Yuan Yueze said.

For some reason, upon hearing this, two clear tears streamed down the woman's face, and she silently continued gazing into the distance.

Yuan Yueze was a man of few words, speaking bluntly and without regard for the occasion. Seeing the woman crying again, he didn't dare to comfort her, and hurriedly said, "Miss... I was being

presumptuous, I'm sorry." Seeing Yuan Yueze's flustered state, the woman burst into laughter through her tears, her laughter as vibrant as a hundred flowers blooming. Wiping away her tears, she replied, "I was just thinking about some past events, it has nothing to do with you, sir."

"How did you sense my loneliness, sir?"

the woman asked.

"I can't quite explain it myself. In Chengdu, the moment our eyes met, my heart suddenly raced for some reason, and I looked away. It was the same today. Passing by, my heart suddenly raced, so I stopped to look, and there you were again,"

Yuan Yueze confessed.

The woman was also surprised, because her feeling was exactly the same as Yuan Yueze's!

"Are you lonely, sir?"

the woman asked, calming herself.

"Me? I'm not lonely at all, haha!"

Yuan Yueze laughed heartily, his cheerfulness inspiring a slight smile in the woman.

“However, I believe that solitude is a transparent kind of isolation. The solitary perceive everything around them with their hearts, rather than being tainted by worldly concerns. Solitude makes one pure, innocent, and calm as a virgin. Thus, the solitary are often filled with a pure romance, seemingly veiled in mystery, and thus admired. But for the solitary, being admired is to be trapped in the mundane world; it exposes solitude to the scorching gaze of the crowd, evaporating the water of life and stripping it of its meaning. But in this world, for every loss, there is a gain. Perhaps the solitary gain appreciation, but are destined to lose the warmth that ordinary people should possess!”

Yuan Yueze continued.

The woman seemed influenced by the brilliant words and nodded.

“What kind of sword-controlling technique did that young lady just use? It’s so amazing! I’ve also practiced some martial arts, but at most I can only control a sword with my qi. I can’t control it with such ease.”

The woman asked curiously, recalling Fu Junqiang’s sword-controlling technique.

Yuan Yueze chuckled, "That's a skill called 'Sword Control Divine Technique,' which involves controlling the sword using Qi, mind, and spirit. Although my wife is exceptionally talented, she has only grasped controlling the sword with her mind."

The woman's pupils contracted slightly, for the sword technique sounded terrifying even just from hearing about it. She stared at Yuan Yueze, looking him up and down with curiosity.

Yuan Yueze felt uncomfortable under her gaze, and also worried about Susu, so he said, "I have urgent business to attend to. Farewell."

"Take care, young master. Farewell."

The woman looked up and smiled gently.

Yuan Yueze cupped his hands in greeting and turned to leave.

The woman stared blankly as Yuan Yueze's figure disappeared into the distance at an incredible speed, then suddenly exclaimed, "Oh! Qingxuan doesn't even know his name!"

"I am Yuan Yueze, Miss Shi, remember this well!"

The voice came from the direction of Yuan Yueze, whose figure had already become quite blurry, and rang in Shi Qingxuan's ears.

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