[Wuxia] Embroidered Robes and Cloud-like Hair (Complete) - 3

Chapter Four: Jin Fu, the blind nun,

arrived at the edge of the pine and bamboo grove. Turning her head, she saw a semi-circular stone doorway on the cliff face she had just seen. The stone doorway was wide open, the entrance clean, and above it were four large golden characters: "Worry-Free Cave," the calligraphy powerful and vigorous. Seeing that the cave was quiet and empty, Jiang Tiantao's courage grew, and he secretly rejoiced. Holding his breath, he crept up behind Zhu Caidie.

At this moment, he noticed Zhu Caidie's graceful figure, her voluptuous body, slender waist, and flowing hair. A green-skinned sword was slung across her back, and two bright red stockings fluttered in the wind. Her exquisite figure was completely different from the fourteen or fifteen-year-old Zhu Caidie of two years ago. As he looked her over, he was already behind Zhu Caidie, and a faint, elegant fragrance immediately wafted on the wind. This familiar, elegant fragrance, upon entering Jiang Tiantao's nostrils, immediately reminded him of Zhu Caidie's prank of stealing the sword and leaving a poem. His right hand instinctively rose quietly.

Just as his right hand moved towards the hilt of his sword, Zhu Caidie suddenly let out a plaintive and anxious sigh, shaking her head sadly. Jiang Tiantao was startled and immediately stopped, holding his breath and gathering his strength. At that moment, a loud, gruff shout suddenly erupted from behind: "Where did this wild brat come from, looking so arrogant? Take my punch first, Zhang Shitou..." The shout was accompanied by a powerful gust of wind from a punch.

Jiang Tiantao was startled and quickly turned around. Before he could even see who it was, a dark figure, a fist already at his feet, was already upon him. In a flash, he stepped aside, his right arm rising with all his might, swinging horizontally. Jiang Tiantao possessed immense power at this moment; such a swing carried no less than a thousand pounds. With a loud thud and a deafening howl, Zhang Shitou, whose fist had struck, rolled towards the cave entrance like a balloon blown by the wind.

Startled awake, Zhu Caidie leaped up, turned around, and let out a soft cry. When she discovered that the person standing behind her was none other than Jiang Tiantao, whom she had been longing for day and night, she was both surprised and delighted. However, seeing Zhang Shitou rolling straight towards the cave entrance, she was stunned by Jiang Tiantao's astonishing strength. Jiang Tiantao had not expected that his arm strike would be so powerful; it was several times stronger than his usual strength, and he was immediately dumbfounded.

Zhang Shitou, who had been rolling rapidly, immediately sprang to his feet as soon as his momentum subsided. His face was flushed red, and he roared and cursed, "You wild brat, how dare you hit me, Zhang Shitou! You've got a death wish!"

Only then did Jiang Tiantao realize that the person he had sent flying by his arm strike was Zhang Shitou, Zhu Caidie's senior brother, the blind nun's foolish disciple, who possessed the Iron Shirt and Golden Bell Shield techniques. Zhang Shitou was short and stocky, with a thick back, a large waist, a belly like a drum, thick eyebrows, round eyes, and a square mouth. He wore a black satin outfit and tiger-skin boots. His skin was tough and his flesh was thick, and he had practiced martial arts that made him invulnerable to swords and spears. Fortunately, it was Zhang Shitou

he had just encountered. Otherwise, Jiang Tiantao's powerful swing would have already broken his arm and waist, and he would have been dead. Jiang Tiantao felt very guilty when he saw that it was Zhang Shitou. Although they had never met before, he had to go over and apologize. Just as he took a step, a dark shadow flashed at the cave entrance, and there stood an old nun in black robes, her face full of anger, and her eyes blind. The old nun stopped, immediately looked up at the sky with her blind eyes, and asked sharply, "Who hit my Shitou?"

Jiang Tiantao saw that it was the blind nun Jin Fu and quickly bowed to greet her. Zhang Shitou, enraged and shouting, pointed at Jiang Tiantao and yelled, "Master, it's a pretty boy who harassed my junior sister and even hit me!"

Jiang Tiantao was startled and was about to speak up when Zhu Caidie, who was behind him, smiled and said, "Master, it's Brother Tao from Mufu Mountain."

Upon hearing this, the blind nun Jin Fu's angry face immediately softened into a smile. Jiang Tiantao dared not be negligent, quickly stepped forward, bowed deeply, and said respectfully in a loud voice, "Junior Jiang Tiantao humbly requests the Venerable Master's greetings." After speaking, he knelt down and kowtowed.

Jin Fu, the blind nun, chuckled peacefully and said, "Good child, get up!" She then extended her withered right hand, making a gesture of slapping him back, and asked with a smile, "Did you just hit your brother Stone?"

Jiang Tiantao kowtowed and stood up, glancing at Zhang Shitou, who was still glaring angrily with his mouth agape. He said apologetically, "This junior didn't know it was Brother Stone who threw a punch from behind. In the heat of the moment, I just casually blocked it with my arm."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Shitou immediately retorted angrily, "Master, Brother Tao is talking nonsense! He used all his strength, otherwise how could he have beaten my Stone more than ten feet tall?"

Jin Fu, the blind nun, was always protective of her own, and upon hearing this, the smile on her face vanished instantly. Zhu Caidie, seeing this, knew things were going badly. She deliberately covered her cherry lips and giggled happily. Her voice was like a silver bell, as clear as a nightingale's, extremely melodious, seemingly laughing at Zhang Shitou's amusing words, yet also trying to ease the suddenly tense atmosphere. Jiang Tiantao was utterly puzzled, wondering why Zhu Caidie was laughing. Turning around, his eyes lit up, and he was immediately stunned.

There stood Zhu Caiyuan, who was covering her mouth and laughing. Her skin was like jade, her face like a delicate flower, with large, bright eyes, arched willow-leaf eyebrows, a delicate nose, cherry lips, and dimples on her cheeks. A tuft of bangs covered her forehead; she was incredibly beautiful. In Jiang Tiantao's memory, Zhu Caidie was still a spoiled, willful, and mischievous little girl. He never expected that in two years, she would blossom into such a graceful and stunningly beautiful young woman.

Just as he was still in a daze, he heard the blind nun ask in a deep voice, "Die'er, with you here, why did they attack?"

Zhu Caidie still smiled and said, "It was Brother Shitou who was wrong. He didn't ask any questions, just started cursing and hitting me.

" Upon hearing this, Zhang Shitou's dark face turned purple with anger. He loudly protested, "No, it was Brother Tao who was secretly touching Sister Die's face behind my back, that's why I cursed!" Upon hearing this

, Zhu Caidie's face flushed red, and the blind nun's old face darkened again, his expression extremely unpleasant. Jiang Tiantao, upon hearing this, was immediately enraged and said in a deep voice, "This time, when Sister Die went to Mufu Mountain, she stole the long sword from my back while I was distracted. I have come here specifically to retrieve the sword from you, senior..."

Before Jiang Tiantao could finish speaking, the blind nun, seemingly having grasped the whole story, immediately asked in a deep voice, "Are you saying that Sister Die lacks experience, doesn't understand reason, and has no sense of propriety?"

Jiang Tiantao said in a deep voice, "That's not what I meant, but at least she seemed to be showing off her skills."

The blind nun rolled his eyes at the sky, as if he wanted to say something in anger, but his lips twitched, and he finally didn't say it, changing his words instead, "Did you manage to steal Jiang Die'er's precious sword just now?"

Jiang Tiantao said in a deep voice, "If Brother Shitou hadn't come out in time, I would have already succeeded."

The blind nun chuckled coldly and said, "I believe you were able to get close to Butterfly without being noticed, because she's been waiting for you these past few days, almost to the point of being distracted. But to say you could withdraw your sword and strike successfully, I absolutely do not believe your lightness skill surpasses hers." Zhu

Caidie blushed deeply and lowered her head in embarrassment. Jiang Tiantao's heart skipped a beat, and he was startled: Could it be that Zhu Caidie had feelings for him? But then, unwilling to diminish his master's reputation, he said in a deep voice, "Since you are so confident, senior, I dare not say anything more."

The blind nun's face turned red, and she asked angrily, "Judging from your tone, are you somewhat unconvinced?"

Jiang Tiantao immediately said in a deep voice, "How could I dare to be unconvinced? However, if Brother Stone and Sister Phoenix Butterfly are willing to compete with me in lightness skill, internal strength, and swordsmanship in front of you, senior, I will not refuse." "

The blind nun, who had always possessed a strangely competitive temperament, could no longer contain herself upon hearing Jiang Tiantao's open challenge. She snorted angrily and said in a deep voice, 'If you are not to your liking in any aspect of the competition…'

Jiang Tiantao knew the blind nun meant she feared he would be inferior to Zhu Caidie and Zhang Shitou in all three aspects, thus losing face to face his master, Fairy Haitang. However, he also feared that if he were superior in all three aspects, he would anger the blind nun. Therefore, a thought struck him, and he immediately said respectfully, 'It is common for us, fellow disciples, to spar and compete. The victor should not be arrogant, and the loser should not be discouraged. We should constantly encourage and inspire each other to achieve great things. If, in a moment, I am slightly inferior, the senior will generously offer guidance, pointing out my mistakes and areas for improvement. Fortunately, I am slightly ahead, thanks to the senior's earnest guidance and teachings two years ago. Not only is my master grateful to the senior, but I will also remember it for the rest of my life.'"

Hearing Jiang Tiantao's flattering words, the blind nun was overjoyed. Her gloomy old face immediately broke into a cheerful smile, and she sincerely praised, "Good, good, good! You are indeed a good child. No wonder Die'er praises you tirelessly in front of me." She paused, rolled her blind eyes, and asked cheerfully, "Die'er, where is your brother Tao's sword?"

Zhu Caidie, secretly pleased by her master's praise of Jiang Tiantao, immediately smiled and respectfully replied, "On an ancient tree in the giant forest."

The blind nun nodded and immediately said cheerfully, "That area is bigger, let's go there!" With that, she flicked her sleeve and leaped forward, speeding along the narrow path as if she were still blind.

Jiang Tiantao, Zhu Caidie, and the short, stout Zhang Shitou started running simultaneously, closely following behind the blind nun. The four of them sped along the path, arriving at the giant forest in the blink of an eye. Jiang Tiantao looked around and saw ancient trees, some over a thousand years old, towering into the sky. Suddenly, Zhu Caidie exclaimed cheerfully, "Master, we've arrived!" The four stopped simultaneously, and the blind nun sat down on a blue stone.

Zhu Caidie faced Jiang Tiantao and pointed to a bare, ancient tree about three zhang away, so large it would take six people to encircle it. She said, "Brother Tao, the sword is on the top of this ancient tree."

Jiang Tiantao craned his neck to look, his brows immediately furrowing. The ancient tree stood straight, its trunk mottled, about thirty zhang tall. A thin cloud drifted past its peak, soaring straight into the sky, making one feel dizzy at first glance. On the tip, a bright shadow shone, like a cold star in the azure sky. Jiang Tiantao knew that was his sword. Jiang Tiantao's face showed difficulty, and fear arose in his heart. He was confident he could ascend, but he had no chance of getting the sword before Zhu Caidie.

As they were observing, the blind nun

suddenly asked with a laugh, "What skills do you three want to compete in first?" Zhang Shitou, whose anger had been spurred on by Jiang Tiantao's horizontal arm strike and sent tumbling over a dozen times, immediately shouted, "Master, let me, Shitou, compete with him in internal strength first!" Without waiting for the blind nun's reply, he immediately wrapped his arms around himself and headed towards a large rock weighing several hundred pounds.

Zhu Caidie had already noticed Jiang Tiantao's hesitant expression and was secretly anxious. She would secretly concede in a contest of lightness skills or swordsmanship, but the simple-minded Zhang Shitou would undoubtedly go all out. Seeing that the nearby rocks were all large bluestones weighing over a thousand pounds, only the one Zhang Shitou was heading towards was relatively small, she deliberately said in a coquettish voice, "Brother Shitou, why are you taking the initiative? You should let Brother Tao try first. If he can't break it, then you can try!"

Jiang Tiantao, seeing the situation, understood the implication in Zhu Caidie's words and was secretly grateful. He couldn't help but look up. Their eyes met, and Zhu Caidie blushed, lowering her head. Jiang Tiantao was reluctant to take advantage of her, but unwilling to disobey her wishes, he said, "Alright, then I'll try first..." Before he could finish the word "try," he was already seven steps in front of the stone, unleashing a powerful thrust with his right palm.

A deafening roar erupted, sending stones flying in all directions, billowing smoke, and whistling debris flying everywhere, the booming sound lingering long afterward. Although the blind nun was blind, her hearing and senses were still incredibly sharp. Hearing the piercing whistling of the flying stones, her face changed drastically, and she froze. Zhu Caidie, her delicate, bright red lips slightly parted, stared wide-eyed at Jiang Tiantao, her beautiful face filled with surprise and excitement. She almost couldn't resist flying over and embracing her brother.

Zhang Shitou, who had been somewhat dazed, now gaped, blinking rapidly, his face pale, sweat beading on his forehead—he was truly terrified. Jiang Tiantao was particularly shocked, staring at the pile of broken stones outside the Seventh Gate, wondering if he was dreaming. The blind nun sitting on the bluestone, her face ashen, trembling, her thin lips downturned, her teeth clenched, and beads of sweat glistening on her wrinkled face.

Suddenly, the blind nun rolled her eyes and said in a deep, low voice, "Jiang Tiantao, come here!" Jiang Tiantao regained his composure and immediately turned to walk towards the blind nun.

Zhu Caidie, knowing her master's eccentricities, was terrified at the sight, her face paling. She blurted out urgently, "Master, what are you doing?" Her voice filled with panic, she followed closely behind Jiang Tiantao, hurrying towards the blind nun.

Although Zhang Shitou was simple-minded, he could still see that his master, the blind nun Jin Fu, looked strange. Seeing his junior sister, Zhu Caidie, anxiously approaching his master, he couldn't help but ask in his simple voice, "Master, what are you doing? I, Shitou, am already very impressed."

Jin Fu, the blind nun, suddenly realized her lapse in composure. No wonder her three youngest daughters seemed uneasy. She couldn't help but laugh heartily, saying, "Not only are you, Shitou, impressed, but I, your master, must also give you a thumbs up and say 'Good!'"

Seeing her master laugh, Zhu Caidie's uneasy heart finally calmed down. At the same time, she secretly patted her breasts and gave the handsome Jiang Tiantao a deep, affectionate look. Jiang Tiantao, still dazed from shattering a large rock with a single palm strike, only snapped back to reality upon hearing the blind nun's laughter. Seeing the radiant Zhu Caidie's affectionate expression, he knew she cared deeply for him and was about to nod in gratitude.

Suddenly, the blind nun continued with a smile, "Child, stretch out your hand, let me test the extent of your skill." As she spoke, she first extended her withered right hand, palm down, fingers together, slowly.

Jiang Tiantao's brows furrowed slightly, his expression hesitant. Intimidated by the blind nun's decades-long reputation and his deep friendship with his master, he dared not challenge her to a contest of internal strength. So, he hurriedly cupped his hands and bowed, saying in a trembling voice, "This junior dares not."

Upon hearing this, the blind nun's old face immediately showed a hint of approval, and she laughed again, saying kindly, "Silly child, don't be afraid. I just wanted to confirm why my sister Haitang had been keeping it from me all this time, and why she had been asking for a Vermilion Immortal

Fruit on your behalf." Jiang Tiantao's heart stirred, and he immediately said respectfully, "My master would never deceive you, senior. When I came, my master repeatedly instructed me to respectfully ask you to examine my bones and bestow a Vermilion Immortal Fruit upon me."

The blind nun Jin Fu smiled kindly, hummed in agreement, and nodded peacefully, saying, "That's right, I have indeed promised your master. Now I will test your skills and then I will know whether I should give you a Vermilion Immortal Fruit."

Jiang Tiantao still seemed a little hesitant, and couldn't help but glance at Zhu Caidie, who was beside him, her phoenix eyes filled with affection, her cherry lips smiling as she nodded at him. Without further hesitation, he immediately gathered his strength in his right arm, channeling it into his palm, and placed his right hand upside down beneath the blind nun's palm.

The blind nun smiled serenely and asked, "Child, are you ready?"

Jiang Tiantao immediately replied respectfully, "This junior is ready as instructed."

The blind nun nodded approvingly, her expression kind and gentle, a smile playing on her lips. She sat upright on the large rock, seemingly gathering her inner strength. A series of soft cracking sounds followed, and the blind nun's five fingers, slightly bent, together swelled to twice their normal size. Zhu Caidie and Zhang Shitou stood on either side, both intently watching the space between the two joined palms.

At this moment, Jiang Tiantao had closed his eyes, his sword-like eyebrows slightly raised, a faint smile playing on his lips, his expression calm yet revealing a thirst for knowledge. Suddenly, a faint white wisp slowly emerged between the blind nun's and Jiang Tiantao's palms. Then, the white vapor gradually thickened, instantly forming a swirling white mist. Jin Fu, the blind nun, frowned slightly, her expression gradually becoming solemn. Jiang Tiantao, with his handsome face flushed,

remained calm and composed, seemingly lost in thought. Seeing this, Zhu Caidie's heart grew anxious again; she could tell that her brother Tao seemed to have a slight advantage in skill. Zhang Shitou, though not understanding, also stared intently. With a soft "plop," the white mist dissipated, and the two clasped hands immediately separated.

Jin Fu, the blind nun, changed drastically, sweat beading on her forehead. She immediately turned to Zhu Caidie and asked in a deep voice, "Cai'er, was your precious sword truly withdrawn from your brother Tao's back?"

Zhu Caidie knew something was amiss, but still answered respectfully without hesitation, "Yes." Jin Fu, the blind nun, was certain that Zhu Caidie would never lie, but she was still somewhat skeptical. So she muttered to herself in confusion, "Even if one's mind is distracted, one shouldn't be unaware that the sword has been taken away..."

Jiang Tiantao withdrew his power and had already opened his eyes. He immediately explained on Zhu Caidie's behalf, "Reporting to the senior, it is true that the sword was taken from behind my shoulder by Sister Die. At that time, I was lying in the shadows of the stone building, listening to my father and cousin Ling discussing important matters concerning me."

Jin Fu, the blind nun, shook her head dismissively and solemnly said, "With your current skill, you have far surpassed your master and me. Not to mention someone withdrawing a sword behind you, you can clearly hear even flying stones and falling leaves within ten feet. Otherwise, it means you are intentionally indulging your sister Die, letting her show off in everything." Upon

hearing this, Jiang Tiantao hurriedly bowed and said in a trembling voice, "This junior would not dare to indulge Die and fool the senior."

Zhu Caidie was secretly delighted to hear Jiang Tiantao calling her "Die Mei" repeatedly, feeling as if she were intoxicated. However, upon hearing her master's solemn rebuke, she felt deeply apprehensive. Because she had observed Jiang Tiantao's actions several times, and indeed felt he was deliberately concealing his abilities and indulging him, she said in a flustered voice, "Die'er's sword was indeed drawn from the scabbard behind Brother Tao's shoulder. As for whether Brother Tao was pretending not to know, Die'er doesn't know..."

Before Zhu Caidie could finish speaking, the blind nun immediately made a gesture to stop her, then turned to Jiang Tiantao with a peaceful expression and asked kindly, "After your master returned to the mountain, did he teach you any new skills?"

Jiang Tiantao replied respectfully without hesitation, "This junior only received my master's instructions outside the cave before rushing down the mountain overnight."

The blind nun Jin Fu and Zhu Caidie looked at him with suspicion. The blind nun Jin Fu said, "It seems you don't need to compete in any other martial arts."

Unexpectedly, Zhu Caidie pouted and suddenly said stubbornly, "No, Die'er must try!" "Brother Tao's lightness skill is impressive; his internal strength is considerable, but it doesn't necessarily mean he's

unparalleled in lightness." Jiang Tiantao was delighted to hear this. He too wanted to test his own lightness skill and also wanted to see just how amazing Zhu Caidie's lightness skill was. Therefore, he hurriedly bowed and said, "This junior has long heard of Sister Die's exquisite lightness skill, soaring like a swallow. I have always regretted not having the chance to witness it. This time, stealing the sword has made me see even more of Sister Die's extraordinary skills. Today is a rare opportunity, and this junior must not miss it."

Upon hearing this, the blind nun Jin Fo immediately laughed heartily and then said cheerfully, "One wants to compete, and the other wants to test. If I were to stop them, it would be against my principles." After saying this, she turned to Zhu Caidie and said with a humorous smile, "Little Die, let me make this clear first: you are not allowed to cry if you lose."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Shitou immediately grinned widely and laughed. Jiang Tiantao, of course, couldn't help but laugh as well. Zhu Caidie never expected her master to say she would cry if she lost in front of her beloved Tao-gege. She blushed crimson, her face turning bright red. With a flushed face and a stomp of her little boots, she pleaded coquettishly, "If I lose, Master, give me another Zhu Xian Fruit!"

The blind nun frowned, feigning ignorance, and asked, "There are only three Zhu Xian Fruits. Didn't you tell me you were determined to give your one to Tao-gege on Mufu Mountain?"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Caidie stamped her feet repeatedly in embarrassment, cried out "Master!" and threw herself into the blind nun's arms, wriggling and resisting. But her heart was filled with sweetness, because Jiang Tiantao should at least know her love for him. Zhang Shitou clapped and stomped his feet, laughing so hard he could barely breathe. Jiang Tiantao secretly appreciated Zhu Caidie's concern for him. Meanwhile, the blind nun, Jin Fu, who was being pestered, continued to laugh heartily, her withered right hand constantly stroking Zhu Caidie's hair and shoulders, looking extremely pleased.

Suddenly, the blind nun patted Zhu Caidie's fragrant shoulder, laughing and saying, "Girl, don't compete with your brother Tao! You're no match for him."

A flash of red, and Zhu Caidie stood up straight, immediately declaring defiantly, "No, I must compete!" As she spoke, her mind raced. She realized that her master's repeated objections must have a precise reason; what if she couldn't beat Brother Tao? Wouldn't that be embarrassing? Therefore, a thought struck her, and she said loudly, "Master, if Brother Tao's skills are indeed far superior to mine, then he's deliberately hiding his abilities and intentionally trying to fool you." As she spoke, she raised her delicate nose, pouted her cherry lips, and glared angrily at Jiang Tiantao.

Jiang Tiantao was startled and exclaimed, "Ah!" He was stunned. He hadn't expected the unruly and difficult Zhu Caidie to preemptively accuse him before the competition. Unexpectedly, the blind nun burst into laughter, nodding repeatedly and saying, "Excellent, just what I wanted! Go quickly!"

Jiang Tiantao was taken aback again, thinking, "Like master, like disciple." In that instant, a red shadow flashed, and Zhu Caidie had already leaped to the ancient tree several feet away, her agility truly rare. Zhang Shitou, without any guile, assumed that his junior sister's advance meant he was confident, so he shook his head, chuckled twice, and looked at the hesitant Jiang Tiantao.

He grinned broadly and said smugly, "Go, it's your turn!"

Jiang Tiantao didn't reply, leaping forward, his figure disappearing without a sound. Reaching the foot of the ancient tree, he immediately stood upside down beside Zhu Caidie, looking up. The pointed top pierced the clouds, and the glint of the sword from before was no longer visible, causing him to frown slightly. Zhu Caidie smiled, her almond-shaped eyes glancing affectionately at Jiang Tiantao. Seeing him frown, she couldn't help but smile smugly. Jiang Tiantao's handsome face flushed slightly. Just as he was about to ask a question in a deep voice, the blind nun Jin Fu, several feet away, cheerfully announced, "You two are ready!"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Tiantao lost interest in asking Zhu Caidie any further questions and immediately focused his inner energy. He knew that Zhu Caidie was not only renowned for her lightness skill but also extremely familiar with the ancient tree. Therefore, he dared not be careless, especially since he was determined to prove himself. Before he finished thinking, the blind nun Jin Fu, several feet away, shouted, "Rise!"

Jiang Tiantao dared not delay. Gathering his strength, he soared into the air, heading straight for the tip of the ancient tree, as if ascending to heaven. His movements were as swift as a wisp of blue smoke. He was anxious, his eyes fixed straight ahead on the point of light at the tip, having no time to see whether Zhu Caidie was lagging behind or had already taken the lead. The towering spire of the ancient tree seemed to fly towards him. The hazy light expanded rapidly, and in the blink of an eye, he could see that it was his three-foot-long sword, with its
sky-blue hilt and blue silk

tassel, planted diagonally on the spire. He dared not relax for a moment, lest a snow-white, jade-like hand suddenly emerge from the other side of the spire. With a soft thud, his feet had already leaped over the spire. Jiang Tiantao flicked his sleeve slightly, gracefully twirling down. The spire was flat and round like a saw, more than three feet in diameter. As soon as his feet touched the ground, he hurriedly pulled away his sword. Looking down, he saw the petite and beautiful Zhu Caidie, a red shadow, still several feet below, seemingly flying upwards.

Looking at the ground, his legs went weak, and he felt dizzy. He saw the blind nun and Zhang Shitou, as small as balls, with Zhang Shitou seemingly looking up. A flash of red shadow, a whistling sound, and Zhu Caidie had flown to the top. Jiang Tiantao was startled. He sheathed his sword, secretly gathered his inner energy, and his figure floated down. Zhu Caidie, seeing Jiang Tiantao already above, was initially startled. Then, seeing him frantically leaping down, she cried out in alarm, her shoulders swaying as she followed...

Jiang Tiantao, unaware of his astonishing progress, still used the method of concentrating his mind and gathering his energy for descent. However, despite his best efforts, his body floated and slowly descended. Just then, a gust of wind swept over him. Jiang Tiantao was startled and instinctively flicked his sleeve, slightly shifting his body as he descended. A red blur, accompanied by a gust of wind, whooshed past him.

Looking down, he saw Zhu Caidie, dressed in bright red with long, flowing hair, already on the ground as fast as a shooting star, while he himself was still swirling down, only halfway down. In a moment of urgency, Jiang Tiantao focused his energy in his dantian and sprinted down, his longsword whistling through the air, creating a dazzling streak of light that resembled a rainbow piercing the sky.

Upon reaching the ground, Jiang Tiantao saw Zhu Caidie, her eyes red-rimmed and lips pouting, standing angrily beside the smiling, benevolent blind nun. He composed himself, leaped over, faced the blind nun, and bowed deeply with his sword in hand, saying respectfully, "This junior has come down. I humbly request your guidance, senior." Just then,

Zhang Shitou, standing nearby, exclaimed in a simple voice, "Reporting to Master, Sister Die is going up slowly, and Brother Tao is going down slowly. What should we do?"

The blind nun, Jin Fu, laughed heartily, saying with extreme delight, "One goes up slowly, one goes down slowly; they're evenly matched, each winning half. This result couldn't be better!" She then let out another hearty laugh.

Zhu Caidie knew perfectly well that Jiang Tiantao was as light as a feather, twirling and soaring through the air, his lightness skill reaching a level of consummate mastery far surpassing her own. Yet, upon hearing her master's assessment, she still smiled broadly. Her smile was filled with happiness, coquettishness, delight, and sweetness, because her beloved Tao-gege possessed such astonishing lightness skill. Zhang Shitou, simple-minded and honest, still believed it was truly a draw, standing to the side clapping vigorously.

Jiang Tiantao didn't quite understand that the difficulty of lightness skill wasn't in speed, but in the slow, graceful flight; the difficulty of leaping wasn't in speed, but in the gentle descent. Hearing Jin Fu the Blind Nun's judgment, he felt it suited him perfectly. Therefore, he once again tapped his sword and respectfully said: "This junior came in haste. If there are urgent matters to attend to, this junior cannot stay any longer and must take his leave." "Having said that, he bowed deeply to the ground.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Caidie's beautiful face changed instantly, her smile vanished, and she blurted out in a flustered voice, "Brother Tao, didn't you want Master to give you a Zhu Xian Fruit?"

Jiang Tiantao immediately replied humbly, "A rare treasure, hard to come by. I feel I am not fortunate enough to have such a request."

Jin Fu, the blind nun, laughed heartily and said, "With your current skill, you are already beyond the reach of even first-rate masters. Given more time, it will not be difficult for you to reach the pinnacle and shock the martial arts world. You may no longer need to borrow rare treasures to enhance your inner strength. However, I have already promised Sister Haitang a Zhu Xian Fruit, how can I let you return empty-handed and be seen as breaking my promise!" After pausing, she instructed Zhu Caidie, "Caidie, lead the way, we'll go now." "

Zhu Caidie excitedly and respectfully agreed, giving Jiang Tiantao a deep glance before turning and galloping out of the giant forest. Jiang Tiantao and Zhang Shitou followed side by side behind the blind nun Jin Fu, feeling extremely excited and that the trip had been worthwhile. Not only had the old gluttonous Jin Feifei secretly given him three golden-red fragrant fruits, greatly improving his skills and avenging his pent-up anger, but the senior blind nun was also going to bestow upon him a rare and precious Zhu Xian Fruit. He wondered how astonishing his future progress in skill would be! Just

as he was feeling smug, suddenly... " Seeing the crimson butterfly ahead, its form swift as it flew towards the Cold Water Heavenly Pool atop the sloping peak, followed by a cheerful gurgling sound, it seemed that the old gluttonous Jin Feifei, who was guarding near the Heavenly Pool, had spotted the four of them and was scrambling and tumbling towards them like a whirlwind. Jiang Tiantao was secretly startled, thinking: Could those three golden-red fragrant fruits that the old glutton had secretly given me be the Crimson Immortal Fruit?

Just then, he heard the fluttering sleeves of the blind nun Jin Fu, who flew in front of him and asked in a gentle voice, "What time is it now?"

Jiang Tiantao looked up and saw the sun shining brightly in the sky: a gentle mountain breeze, and an endless expanse of blue sky. Suddenly, he heard Zhang Shitou reply in a simple voice, "Reporting to Master, the sun is just at its zenith."

The blind nun Jin Fu gave a cheerful "hmm," as if to say to Jiang Tiantao, "It's the perfect time. If you can wait until noon on the first day of next month to eat the Crimson Immortal Fruit, it will be even more effective." Jiang Tiantao hurriedly and respectfully replied, "Yes ."

Then, upon reflection, his heart skipped a beat. He remembered that the day he climbed the mountain seemed to be the first day of the new moon. As he thought about it, he heard the blind nun Jin Fu say with emotion, "You, Dieyatou, and Zhang Shitou are arguably the most fortunate people of your generation. You should know that the Zhuxian Fruit takes ten years to flower, a hundred years to bear fruit, and a thousand years to mature and become edible. After five months, it withers and falls off, becoming useless. You three have caught up with this once-in-a-millennium opportunity." Jiang

Tiantao was filled with trepidation and anxiety, deeply fearing that the three fragrant fruits the old glutton had fed him were the rare and coveted Zhu Xian Fruit, coveted by martial arts masters. Therefore, he paid no attention to what the blind nun Jin Fu was saying, only respectfully responding with "Yes, yes." They had now ascended the slope, and the roaring waterfall, less than a hundred feet from the Heavenly Pool

, was deafening. A chilling wind blew, carrying wisps of mist that clung to his hands and face, adding to the cold. Zhu Caidie, pulling the old glutton, had already flown to the summit and disappeared from sight. The closer they got to the Heavenly Pool, the more anxious Jiang Tiantao became, especially remembering Jin Fu's words to Zhu Caidie that there were only three Zhu Xian Fruits. A bead of cold sweat appeared on his forehead. Just as

they were about to reach the edge of the cliff, a red shadow flashed on the cliff. Zhu Caidie, her face pale and terrified, waved her jade-like hand and cried out in a frantic voice, "Master, something terrible has happened! The Zhu Xian Fruit is gone!" Upon hearing this

, Jiang Tiantao's mind went blank, and he nearly collapsed to the ground. Jin Fu, the blind nun, cried out in shock, then leaped into the air like a giant bat, arms outstretched, swooping down towards the cliff. Jiang Tiantao felt his senses blur and his legs go weak, but he still managed to reach the top of Tianchi Lake.

He saw the lake's surface shimmering with emerald green light, the roar of the waterfall deafening, and the glossy, green, broad-leaved herb still flourishing at the opening of the lake. The Golden Baboon Glutton sat dumbfounded near the Heavenly Lake, his golden eyes blinking as he stared at the pale-faced blind nun, completely bewildered. Zhang Shitou was most concerned about the Vermilion Immortal Fruit, because the Golden Blind Nun had told him that if he ate it, his mind would instantly become sharp, and he would never be foolish again. Now, noticing that the three fragrant, golden-red Vermilion Immortal Fruits were gone from the strange grass at the gap, he was filled with remorse. Pointing at the glutton, he roared furiously, "Glutton, where are my Vermilion Immortal Fruits? Did you steal them?"

The Golden Baboon Glutton, his golden eyes still blinking, sat there dumbfounded, realizing he had committed a grave offense, seemingly terrified and bewildered. Suddenly, the Golden Blind Nun sighed sadly, "Since the glutton didn't leave the Heavenly Lake and there were no signs of theft, it proves the Vermilion Immortal Fruits withered and fell naturally. It's not that the glutton failed in his duty; it's just that the three of you are unlucky enough to have them." Jiang

Tiantao looked ashamed. He had eaten the Vermilion Immortal Fruit, and he should have the courage to admit it; that was what a true man should do. So, he quickly took two steps forward, faced Jin Fu, the blind nun, clasped his hands, and bowed, saying, "Reporting to the senior, I ate the three Vermilion Immortal Fruits."

As soon as he said this, the three women, including Jin Fu, the blind nun, and the others, all changed their expressions and exclaimed in surprise. They were all stunned, and their expressions seemed to show disbelief. Jiang Tiantao then recounted in detail how he had climbed the peak that day, encountered the glutton, and eaten the Vermilion Immortal Fruits.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Shitou was immediately enraged. He leaped at the glutton, cursing loudly, "You greedy beast! How dare you exchange one of my Vermilion Immortal Fruits for chicken legs and braised eggs!" "

The Golden Baboon, seemingly aware of its wrongdoing, let out a strange howl, tucked its tail between its legs, and leaped away to the slippery cliff edge. Zhang Shitou was dumbfounded; not only did he not chase after it, but even his legs felt weak just watching it, fearing the glutton would fall!

After listening to Jiang Tiantao's account, the Blind Nun Jin Fu's mood had already returned to normal. Her expression remained kind, and she said with a gentle smile, 'As the saying goes, rare treasures belong to virtuous people. It seems this saying is indeed true. Consider this: the Vermilion Immortal Fruit, which is only found once in a thousand years, I, this old nun, have guarded here for decades, and Zhang Shitou has also longed for it for more than ten years, yet neither of us has the fortune to taste it. But you, child, ate it all at the very beginning of your ascent. It can be said that you are exceptionally fortunate.'" Jiang

Tiantao, trembling with fear, stood respectfully, only nodding in agreement. He was especially uneasy upon hearing that the blind nun Jin Fu had guarded the fruit for decades, and Zhang Shitou had waited for over ten years, while he himself had eaten them all. Zhu Caidie, upon hearing that her brother Tao had eaten all three Zhu Xian fruits, was not angry at all; instead, she was secretly delighted. This was the subtlety of love, and the contradictory psychology of young girls. She hoped that Jiang Tiantao's skill in eating the three Zhu Xian fruits would become unparalleled, his technique unmatched throughout the martial arts world. As the saying goes, "A wife's worth is determined by her husband," and as long as her brother Tao became famous, she, Zhu Caidie, wouldn't be unknown in the martial arts world. Because, in her heart, Jiang Tiantao was already her future husband.

Zhang Shitou, however, remained sullen and angry, but he didn't hate Jiang Tiantao; he hated the gluttonous old man. Then the blind nun Jinfo continued to say to Jiang Tiantao, "There were originally four Vermilion Immortal Fruits here, all discovered by the Old Glutton thirty years ago. He gave one of the fruits from another tree to Butterfly Girl, and now he's given you these three. To be honest, the Old Glutton is the true owner of the Vermilion Immortal Fruits. He has the right to give them to those who are fortunate enough to eat them. You could say it's entirely by divine will."

Zhang Shitou was simple-minded and honest. Upon hearing that the Old Glutton was the true owner of the Vermilion Immortal Fruits, his resentment vanished. He frowned and said in a simple voice, "Everyone says I, Zhang Shitou, am unlucky. It seems they're right. I've got the Vermilion Immortal Fruits right in front of me, but I'm not fortunate enough to eat them."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Caidie quickly covered her mouth and chuckled. Jiang Tiantao felt even more ashamed and uneasy. Facing the blind nun Jin Fu, he bowed deeply and said in a trembling voice, "This junior was ignorant and mistakenly ate the Zhu Xian Fruit. Although my power has greatly increased, I feel deeply ashamed. All my achievements from now on are thanks to you, senior. I don't know how I

can ever repay you even a fraction of your kindness." The blind nun Jin Fu immediately laughed heartily, her smile carrying a profound meaning, and said, "Silly child, this old nun has no worries in my life. As long as you treat Caidie well in the future, I will be happy, and that will be enough to repay me."

Jiang Tiantao was no longer the clueless fool he once was. He naturally understood the implication in the nun's words. Although he already had Wang Yanling and Xue Danfeng, judging from the current situation, Zhu Caidie was not going to escape either. Anyway, "when soldiers come, generals will block them; when water comes, earth will dam it." As long as he handled it properly and prevented any quarrels in the boudoir, what did it matter? Therefore, he respectfully said, "Senior, you are overthinking it. I am two years older than Butterfly Girl, so I should naturally give her some leeway. There is no need for you to remind me. Therefore, please rest assured, Senior, I will definitely treat Butterfly Girl well and make her happy."

Upon hearing this, the blind nun Jin Fu could no longer help but laugh heartily, looking up at the sky. Judging from her joyful expression, it seemed as if a long-cherished matter had been resolved. Zhu Caidie's face was already flushed, her head was lowered, her cherry lips bloomed with a happy smile, and her almond eyes were filled with infinite affection. She shyly glanced at Jiang Tiantao.

Zhang Shitou did not understand the meaning of his master's words, nor did he know why his master was laughing, but seeing the blind nun laugh, he also grinned broadly beside her. Although Jiang Tiantao was in Fanjing Mountain, his heart was still with Wang Yanling, and he was constantly thinking about her martial arts contest for marriage and her safety. At this moment, as soon as the blind nun stopped laughing, she immediately clasped her hands and bowed, saying, "Senior, take care. This junior bids farewell and will return to pay my respects another day." Having said this, she bowed deeply, prostrated herself on the ground, and respectfully kowtowed.

Since returning to the mountain, Zhu Caidie had longed for Jiang Tiantao's visit day and night. She never expected that their meeting would be so brief, and that he would leave so hastily without even exchanging a single heartfelt word. Thinking of her two years of longing and the many days of agonizing waiting, only to be rewarded with a fleeting glimpse of him, her heart ached, and she almost couldn't hold back her tears.

Seeing this, Zhang Shitou immediately said indignantly in a deep voice, "No, you can't leave. Sister Die has been sitting outside the cave for days, waiting for you. She finally got to see you. How can you leave after just one day?"

Upon hearing that she had waited for several days, Jiang Tiantao was shocked and his face changed drastically. He suddenly jumped up from the ground, his starry eyes fixed on Zhu Caidie. He immediately asked anxiously, "Has Sister Die really been back in the mountain for several days?"

Zhu Caidie's almond-shaped eyes were moist, but seeing Jiang Tiantao's anxious state, she nodded softly. Upon seeing this, Jiang Tiantao's expression changed again.

He immediately turned to the blind nun Jin Fu and said anxiously, "I have been away from the mountain for more than ten days, and I'm afraid I've already missed important matters..." Jin Fu, knowing Jiang Tiantao's troubled past, didn't wait for him to finish speaking before saying with concern, "Since you have important matters to attend to, it's inconvenient to keep you here. Please come again when you have time!"

Jiang Tiantao respectfully agreed, quickly bowed, and turned to Zhang Shitou, cupping his hands and saying loudly, "Brother Shitou, please come to Mufu Mountain when you have time." He then turned to Zhu Caidie and said, "Brother, I really have urgent business to attend to. Sister Die, if you have time..." "You can find me at 'Nine Palaces Fortress,' take care."

Zhu Caidie's eyes were already blurred with tears as she nodded. Jiang Tiantao felt a pang of pain in his heart, but he had no time to dwell on it. So, he ruthlessly turned around, waved to the old glutton again, and sped down the slope. Jiang Tiantao's skill at this moment was vastly different from what it had been ten days ago. Once he unleashed his lightness skill, his figure was as fast as a wisp of smoke, heading straight down the slope along the route he had come from. Leaping and cascading, his figure was like the wind, and in a moment he reached the bottom of the peak, heading straight for the large green valley a hundred feet away.

Jiang Tiantao's heart... He was in a frenzy, as if being fried in oil, wishing he could sprout wings and return to Mount Mufu. He was certain that something major had happened in the past few days. Because Wang Yanling couldn't feign illness, and hadn't been discovered by the clever Poisonous Woman these past few days, her situation would be extremely dangerous if she were found out. In a flash, he reached the edge of the bamboo forest where the horses grazed in the Great Green Valley. He quickly stopped, looked around, but there was no sign of Xiaoqing. Jiang Tiantao's heart tightened, and he immediately let out a clear, long howl, like a dragon's roar, echoing through the sky and lingering for a long time. The howl had barely faded when... The faint neighing of spirited horses echoed from the foot of a mountain hundreds of feet away.

Jiang Tiantao's eyes lit up, and he let out a joyful shout, leaping towards the source of the sound. Just then, the rapid clatter of hooves, like a sudden downpour, became clearly audible. Jiang Tiantao looked up, his heart filled with delight. In the distance, a gray figure appeared and disappeared, galloping towards them—it was Xiao Qing, whom he cherished like his own life. He leaped onto a large rock, waving his right hand and repeatedly calling out, "Xiao Qing! Xiao Qing!" Amidst the shouts

, Xiao Qing raised its head, its beard bristling, its eyes gleaming, as if it too had spotted Jiang Tiantao. Xiao Qing was indeed a rare and fine horse; in the blink of an eye, it galloped to the rock with a rapid, thunderous thud, creating a whirlwind and raising countless withered leaves and dust. Upon seeing Xiao Qing, Jiang Tiantao had already fallen to the ground, leaping forward to grab the saddle, his expression excited, constantly stroking Xiao Qing's neck.

Xiao Qing hadn't seen Jiang Tiantao return for half a month, though it had been grazing and drinking from mountain springs… It was quite carefree, but it also seemed somewhat uneasy. Upon seeing Jiang Tiantao, it excitedly wagged its tail and hissed softly, displaying extreme affection. Jiang Tiantao stroked Xiaoqing, noticing that the saddle was covered in dust, with one or two dried bamboo leaves embedded in the seams of the saddlebags.

He truly hadn't expected that consuming three Vermilion Immortal Fruits would result in him sitting cross-legged and sleeping for several days by the Heavenly Pool. Although his power had increased, he was unsure whether significant changes had occurred within the Nine Palaces Fortress. Unpredictable. Thinking of Jiugongbao, Jiang Tiantao immediately and impatiently sheathed his sword in the empty scabbard beside his saddle, brushed the dust off the saddle, leaped onto his horse, and galloped straight out of the valley. Xiaoqing, at this moment, was full of energy and vitality, and galloped away like the wind.

Jiang Tiantao, eager to return home, arrived at the large town at the foot of the mountain, quickly ate a simple meal, had his saddle and horse cleaned, bought some dry rations and supplies, and continued his eastward gallop.

Chapter Five: Encountering the Three Beauties Gang,

Hiding in the West As dusk deepened on the mountain, the palace road was deserted. Jiang Tiantao, alone on horseback with only a sword, dressed in a blue robe, galloped against the night wind. Having passed Songtao City, it was already the time for the first watch of the night. A bright moon broke through the dark clouds on the eastern horizon, slowly rising and casting a hazy glow over the dark earth, gradually illuminating it. Jiang Tiantao sat steadily on the back of his galloping blue horse, his gaze blankly fixed on the rapidly passing villages and towns, his mind preoccupied with how to return to Jiugongbao as quickly as possible. He knew... The vast garden located beneath the cliffs outside the fortress, though rarely visited, had been overgrown with weeds and neglected for days, suggesting his presence had likely been discovered by the fortress. Therefore, he decided to return to the Begonia Cave first, to see his master and Sister Xue, before contacting his cousin Ling.

Suddenly, a deep, booming shout, barely audible, reached his ears. Jiang Tiantao was startled and quickly focused his attention. Before the large town lying across the official road, a broad, dark figure had just emerged from within the town, moving with incredible speed. Judging from the figure's flowing robes and agile movements, it was clear he was no ordinary fighter. At that moment, three more figures, swift as arrows, rushed out of the town in pursuit. Jiang Tiantao could tell that while these three figures were not uncommon, they seemed inferior to the broad, dark figure.

At this time, the sky was filled with stars, the night sky vast and clear, and the moonlight illuminated the surrounding area, making everything within a few miles clearly visible . "See!" A figure galloped towards them. Jiang Tiantao's horse spurred its horse forward, and in the blink of an eye, he could see the broad, dark figure holding a gleaming three-foot-long sword. At the same time, he could see three figures behind him: one wielding a thick-backed broadsword, one a gleaming silver whip, and the other seemingly carrying a pair of gleaming steel saws. The three were positioned with one in the center and two on either side, clearly attempting to encircle and intercept them. The broad, dark figure in front could easily use his light-footed skills to escape, but he deliberately turned back frequently, intentionally slowing his pace.

Jiang Tiantao, born with a chivalrous spirit, couldn't ignore such injustice. However, he was preoccupied with his cousin Ling's safety and eager to return to Mufu Mountain, fearing any delays. Furthermore, the broad, dark figure's deliberate slowing was clearly intended to allow the three behind to catch up and punish him; unless the opponent was confident of victory, they wouldn't dare take the risk.

In the blink of an eye, the large, dark figure was only a few dozen feet away. Looking up again, the figure had automatically stopped on the road, sword drawn, constantly turning its head to look at Jiang Tiantao. Jiang Tiantao then realized that the figure wasn't very tall, but wore a loose black robe and a large black silk veil covering its head and face, leaving only a pair of bright, intelligent eyes visible. Jiang Tiantao

frowned, realizing this was similar to when he entered Jiugongbao. In that instant, the one wielding the thick-backed broadsword had already caught up with the hooded man. The one wielding the broadsword was an elderly man in his fifties, dressed in blue, with thick eyebrows, fierce eyes, and gray hair and beard. He shouted, "Trying to leave without your life?"

With that shout, he leaped forward, his broadsword wielding a powerful "Mount Hua Cleave" strike, creating a gust of wind as he fiercely slashed at the man with the black silk veil and the black sword. The man with the black veil seemed to completely disregard the old man wielding the knife. As soon as the blade struck, he shifted slightly, his shoulders swaying, and with a swift movement, his dark sword flashed, striking the blade with a deft touch. Then came a follow-up move, "The Angry Serpent Spits Its Tongue," the sword light as fast as lightning, already at the old man's right wrist.

The old man's expression changed drastically; he cried out in alarm, quickly lowering his right wrist and retreating two zhang (approximately 6.6 meters). The man chasing him from the left was a short, stout middle-aged man with angry eyebrows and leopard-like eyes, dressed in black, carrying a pair of diamond-cut steel saws, already sweating slightly. The man chasing him from the right was a young man in his late twenties, with striking eyebrows, bright eyes, and a fair complexion; he wielded a gleaming silver whip. The two men caught up simultaneously, but also froze.

The veiled man stopped, sword in hand, without pursuing, merely glancing disdainfully at the other two, then looking at Jiang Tiantao with apparent wariness. Seeing the hooded man's swift and clean swordplay, Jiang Tiantao couldn't help but admire him. He realized he was already close to the four men, so he turned his horse and rode along the roadside, seemingly determined to pass unscathed. Just as he was about to turn his horse, the other three pursuers, realizing Jiang Tiantao had no intention of interfering, roared and charged forward, their weapons flashing as they frantically attacked the hooded man.

Jiang Tiantao frowned slightly and slowed his horse, but continued along the roadside. The hooded man glanced coldly at Jiang Tiantao, still nonchalantly facing his opponent, his swordplay skillful and his movements agile—truly rare. The three attackers were indeed skilled, but against someone of the hooded man's ability, they seemed somewhat outmatched, their skills rendered useless.

The hooded man wielded a longsword, its movements unpredictable and ever-changing, sometimes dancing in the air, sometimes flitting like a black butterfly among flowers, its blade flashing like lightning, a forest of sword shadows in the blink of an eye. The three attackers, though using all their strength, were forced into a chaotic frenzy, unable to defend themselves, parrying left and right, retreating but unable to advance. Jiang Tiantao felt the hooded man's swordsmanship was in no way inferior to his own, and was convinced the three attackers would gain no advantage. So, with a flick of his wrist, he spurred his horse forward.

Just as he released his horse, he heard the old man with the knife shout urgently, "Young hero on horseback, why won't you lend this old man a hand?"

Jiang Tiantao only glanced back, then continued galloping, thinking: Three against one, you've already violated the rules of the martial world, yet you have the audacity to ask for help? Before he could finish his thought, a powerful, angry shout suddenly came from the fields to his right: "Master Sun, Chief Lin is dead! We must not let this brat escape!"

Jiang Tiantao turned his head at the sound and saw two figures rushing towards him from the right front. Their movements were as swift as arrows, and in the blink of an eye, they were not far from the roadside. The one in front was a seventy-year-old man with frosty eyebrows, a ruddy complexion, wearing a brown robe, and carrying an iron rod that reached his eyebrows. The old man with the rod had piercing eyes, a tuft of silver hair flowing down his chest, and the iron rod in his hand was extremely heavy, at least a hundred pounds. It was clear at a glance that the old man was an extraordinary master with profound skills.

Closely following behind the old man with the rod was a middle-aged, burly man with a thick beard, dressed in purple and carrying a pair of double-edged hand hooks. The middle-aged man had a purplish face, a tall and broad-shouldered body, and a pair of blue-glowing hand hooks that were clearly poisoned.

As Jiang Tiantao surveyed the scene, he realized he was already twenty paces away. The arrival of the old man and the burly man suddenly made him worry about the hooded man's safety. Based on the old man's angry shouts, they wouldn't let the hooded man go easily tonight; three were already attacking, and soon all five would be joining the fray.

He slowed his horse, feeling he couldn't stand idly by in this injustice. Looking back, he saw figures darting about on the road dozens of paces behind him, flashing with cold light, shouts rang out—five men had already begun their attack.

Enraged, Jiang Tiantao spurred his horse and galloped back. Looking again, he saw the situation had indeed changed. The hooded man was now completely surrounded, his long sword still capable of both offense and defense, but no longer as natural as before. The five attackers, however, were all brimming with energy, charging forward with fierce determination. The gray-haired old man wielding a knife slashed, hacked, swept, and stabbed with rapid, fierce force. The burly man wielding a hook, his blue blade gleaming, hooked, coiled, locked, and slashed, his movements swirling and twisting. A bright silver whip flicked left and right, thrusting, stabbing, sweeping, and twisting like a whip in action. Two sturdy saws, their surfaces gleaming, pounded, stabbed, knocked, and struck, each move more intense than the last.

In particular, the brown-clad old man's iron staff spun and flew like a dragon, sometimes forming dark clouds that forced the hooded man to fall, sometimes twisting like withered tree roots that forced him to leap into the air. Trapped in the center, the hooded man wielded a dark sword, its movements swirling and dancing like a dragon, parrying hooks, blocking knives, deflecting staffs, and pressing down on whips with agility, skill, and sharp eyes. Even amidst such fierce fighting, the hooded man's gleaming eyes would occasionally follow the sound of hooves, glancing towards Jiang Tiantao, who was galloping back.

Jiang Tiantao had already discerned that the hooded man's swordsmanship seemed far superior to his own. Despite being surrounded by five skilled fighters of varying ages, he showed no signs of defeat. His unnatural movements were entirely due to the ill-fitting, oversized black robe. Jiang thought to himself: "If he's not that tall, why force himself to wear such baggy clothes?"

Lost in thought, he unconsciously slowed his horse, wondering whether he should intervene in this injustice. Just as he slowed his horse, his expression slightly hesitant, the situation suddenly changed. The hooded man's whirling figure suddenly stumbled, then slowed down. His longsword, used for parrying and blocking, became more defensive than offensive, and his attacks became chaotic. Seeing this, the five attackers were greatly encouraged. With a shout, they unleashed a fierce thrust with their hooked knives and whips, their momentum unstoppable.

Although Jiang Tiantao was somewhat confused, he couldn't stand idly by in danger. So he braced his legs against the horse's flanks, and Xiao Qing let out a long neigh, charging forward. Jiang Tiantao reached her, quickly reined in his horse, and roared, "Stop right now..."

With that roar, Xiao Qing neighed angrily, her front hooves suddenly rearing up. Jiang Tiantao turned, sheathed his sword, and leaped up, landing gracefully in front of the horse in a flash of cold light. This roar, like a spring thunder, startled the five attackers, causing them to retreat hastily. The seventy-year-old man, wielding a mirror-shaped iron rod, fanned his frosty eyebrows, his eyes blazing with anger as he scrutinized Jiang Tiantao. The other four, each guarding a side, also looked at Jiang Tiantao with astonishment. The hooded man, holding a sword horizontally, stood in the center, his clear black and white eyes gleaming, constantly scanning Jiang Tiantao's handsome face, neither speaking nor uttering a sound, seemingly without a trace of gratitude.

The old man with the staff had just seen Jiang Tiantao gallop away. Seeing his scholar's cap and blue robe, with a sword hanging by his side, he knew he was no ordinary person. Now, seeing him standing there with his sword across his face, his bright eyes shining, his elegance revealing a heroic spirit, he was even more certain that this handsome young man in blue robe was no ordinary person. So, his expression hardened, but he still asked in a deep voice, "Are you here to help someone in need?"

Jiang Tiantao slightly raised his sword-like eyebrows and coldly replied, "That's right!"

The old man in blue, holding a knife, raised his eyebrows and suddenly stepped forward, asking sharply, "Judging from your tone, are you determined to interfere in this matter?"

Jiang Tiantao immediately shook his head and said, "I have no such intention. I only hope that you fight one-on-one and not try to win by numbers, thus breaking the rules of the martial arts world." As

soon as he finished speaking, the burly man holding double hooks suddenly glared and shouted, "Our gang arrests traitors to bring them back to the headquarters for punishment according to the law. This is our gang's business. What does it have to do with the bad rules of the martial arts world?"

Jiang Tiantao's heart trembled upon hearing this. Currently, the most powerful and largest gang, almost on par with the major sects, was the Three Hairpins Gang. The Three Beauties Gang established its headquarters at Dongliang Mountain, controlling the Yangtze River pass. Its branches were spread across various provinces, and its seventy-two lakes along the river were all controlled by masters. The gang was full of heroes, all of whom were outstanding figures renowned in the martial arts world.

The leader of the gang, Jinchai Fu Gaoli, holds overall power; Yinchai Huangfu Xiang manages the inner and outer halls; and Yuchai Fu Xiangzhen oversees the entire gang. Although the three women are not of the same surname, they are as close as sisters, sworn to live and die together. Yuchai is the youngest, but also possesses the highest martial arts skills. Yuchai spends most of her time on patrol, her whereabouts mysterious and elusive, hence the nickname "Rainbow Dragon Girl," implying that she is as fleeting as a rainbow, and as elusive as a dragon. Yuchai is extremely strict in punishing gang members who break the law, thus everyone in the gang fears her. Even members of other sects are wary of her.

Although Jiang Tiantao wasn't afraid of the Three Beauties, he didn't want to provoke these tigresses. To confirm which gang the five people present belonged to, he asked, puzzled, "Which gang do you five belong to?"

The gray-haired old man with the knife laughed arrogantly and said with utter contempt, "Judging from your words, you're clearly a newbie. You don't even know the Three Beauties Gang, the most prestigious and largest organization in the martial world, a gathering of heroes from all over the land. That shows how ignorant you are."

Jiang Tiantao didn't want to cause trouble and was too lazy to argue with Jiang... The sects and gangs on the lake were entangled in conflict, and the old man with the knife's sarcastic words were truly infuriating. Therefore, he shook his head and deliberately said coldly, "I've never heard of any Three Beauties Gang in the martial world."

The old man with the knife already resented Jiang Tiantao for not helping him earlier and instead meddling in his affairs. Upon hearing this, he was instantly enraged and blurted out, "Tonight I'll teach you a lesson!" With a fierce shout, he leaped forward, his thick-backed broadsword still wielding the force of a mountain-splitting blow, carrying a gust of wind as he thrust it fiercely towards Jiang Tiantao's head.

Jiang Tiantao smiled coldly and said contemptuously, "I bet you only know this one move." As he spoke, without dodging or shifting his feet, he channeled all his power into his right arm, his longsword flashing out like lightning.

A cold glint flashed, a clang rang out, sparks flew, and a piercing howl erupted. The gray-haired old man's thick-backed broadsword flew from his hand, illuminating the sky with a cold light. The gray-haired old man was so terrified he nearly fainted. His fierce scream sent him staggering back two zhang (approximately 6.6 meters), his left hand gripping his right wrist, his brow furrowed in pain, cold sweat beading on his skin, his eyes fixed on Jiang Tiantao with alarm. The brown-clad old man with the staff paled at the sight, and the other three were all stunned. The hooded man standing in the center, sword in hand, flashed a cold light in his eyes, seemingly surprised as well.

The brown-clad old man's brows furrowed, and he asked sharply, "Do you intend to be an enemy of our gang?"

Jiang Tiantao stood coldly in place, still saying indifferently, "I only speak of justice and righteousness, regardless of sect or gang!"

Upon hearing this, the brown-clad old man's face instantly turned murderous, and he roared, "Master Sun, kill..." The word "kill" was barely out of his mouth when the five men shouted in unison, each brandishing their weapons and charging at Jiang Tiantao. The green-clad old man, who had already retrieved his knife from the field, also fought desperately, seizing the initiative.

Upon seeing this, Jiang Tiantao was instantly enraged, letting out a disdainful laugh. He said, "Jianghu gangs are ultimately not as disciplined as orthodox sects..." As he spoke, he quickly gathered his strength, his movements filled with energy, and with a swing of his longsword, countless cold stars appeared, accompanied by a faint whistling sound.

The hooded man standing to the side trembled at the sight, his eyes flashing with cold light. The old man in brown clothes changed his expression drastically, exclaiming in alarm, "Indeed, he is no ordinary person! Everyone be careful!" With a shout, he brandished his iron rod. The momentum was unstoppable. The other four, each displaying their skills, attacked one another, seizing every opportunity to strike.

Jiang Tiantao, having drawn his longsword, realized that his swordsmanship was now far superior to what it had been ten days ago. He gripped his sword tightly, swinging it with lightning speed. The continuous sword energy rolled like waves, scattering cold stars and creating a sky full of silver rainbows. His figure swirled, his energy generating wind, and in the blink of an eye, he had enveloped the five attackers in sword light. The five attackers were terrified. They felt a blinding light and a chilling aura, unable to discern the sword's power or the attackers' location. They cried out in alarm, finding themselves with nowhere to advance or retreat.

The masked man, observing from the sidelines with his sword drawn, looked anxious and eager to help Jiang Tiantao, unsure whether he intended to aid him or rescue those trapped in the sword light. Jiang Tiantao, who had intervened to help the masked men, was now surprised that the masked man had stood by while the five attacked him. Enraged, Jiang Tiantao intensified his swordplay, shouting, "If you keep pestering me, don't blame me for hurting you!" As he finished speaking, a burst of light erupted from his sword. A terrified cry escaped as the cold light slashed across the old man's left shoulder, drawing blood.

The old man, no longer daring to fight, rolled away in a "Lazy Donkey Roll." Just as the old man with the knife rolled on the ground, another scream erupted from the surging sword light. A beam of blue light shot straight to the roadside, where a poisoned hand hook clattered into the ground. The bearded burly man's right arm was also slashed by the cold blade, and he screamed as he leaped back. Immediately afterward, the old man in brown, the middle-aged fat man, and the young man all jumped out of the circle.

Jiang Tiantao stopped, sword in hand, and glared resentfully at the hooded man who was staring at him with a strange look. The old man in brown robes, pale-faced and sweating, his breath coming in short gasps, glared at Jiang Tiantao with anger and alarm. He said in a low, furious voice, "Your swordsmanship is truly exceptional. I greatly admire it. May I ask your esteemed name, your master, and your hometown, so that I

may send a carrier pigeon to inform our gang leader..." Jiang Tiantao, his anger blazing, was too lazy to argue with them. He coldly replied, "I am reluctant to

reveal my master's name due to taboo. As for who I am, there is no need to tell you." The gray-haired old man with the knife assumed Jiang Tiantao feared the power of the Three Hairpins Gang and dared not reveal his master, name, or residence. His arrogance flared, and he snorted angrily, waving his hand at the old man in brown robes. He said hatefully, "Chief Su, let's go! Unless he runs to the Kingdom of Liuli, we'll find out his background. I, Sun Beizhan, will make him kowtow to Dongliang Mountain one day!" With that, he leaped off the official road and hurriedly drove away.

The old man in brown, the burly man with the hook, and the two men wielding whips and steel saws, seemingly fearing

that Jiang Tiantao might kill in anger after hearing the old man's words, all hastily got up and followed closely behind him. Jiang Tiantao was most angered by the black-clad, hooded man's unreasonable behavior, and completely disregarded the old man's angry words. Seeing the hooded man still standing there with his sword drawn, his bright eyes flashing across his handsome face without a trace of gratitude, he snorted angrily, glanced at the hooded man disdainfully, and leaped forward on his horse. Just as he leaped forward, a clear, melodious, and startled cry rang out behind him: "Hey, don't go!"

With the cry, Jiang Tiantao had already dismounted. Although he was startled, not expecting the hooded man to be a woman, he could hear the command in her clear voice. Still angry, he didn't even look back, turned his horse, and galloped straight east. Upon seeing her, the veiled woman panicked and cried out in a delicate voice, "Hey, stop! Look who I am!"

With a flick of her jade-like hand, the black silk covering her head fell away, revealing a beautiful, ethereal face—a stunningly beautiful young woman in her prime. Her eyebrows were as dark as day, her phoenix eyes as bright as stars, her nose and lips as delicate as cherry blossoms, her skin as smooth as jade, and her long, black hair cascaded like clouds, adorned with a purple phoenix hairpin, further enhancing her unparalleled beauty and charm. She waved the black silk in her hand and cried out again anxiously, "Hey, look who I am!"

Jiang Tiantao, eager to get back, paid no heed and continued galloping, thinking: Even if you were the Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden, I wouldn't care. I'm in a super urgent hurry to get back to "Nine Palaces Fortress," I don't have time to waste with you.

The veiled girl, originally proud and arrogant, was filled with anxiety and anger upon seeing this, and two crystal tears welled up in her phoenix eyes. Thinking of how she had always been treated with utmost respect and deference, like a deity, she couldn't bear such humiliation. She cried out in a tearful voice, "Hmph, even if you run to the ninth heaven, I'll chase you to the Lingxiao Palace!"

Jiang Tiantao, sitting on his galloping horse, shook his head inwardly, feeling extremely annoyed. It was better to avoid trouble; why bother, making things difficult for both sides? In the blink of an eye, they reached the town. He deduced that there must be a branch of the Three Hairpins Gang in this large town, and to avoid any unforeseen complications, he turned his horse and rode around it.

Jiang Tiantao, as he galloped away, was still thinking about what had just happened, growing angrier with each passing thought. But he couldn't help but regret not glancing back at the hooded woman earlier. Judging from her tone, she seemed extremely angry, and he worried that if they encountered each other again, he might be able to guard against a sneak attack. Now, he didn't know if she was a young woman, a girl, or even her age. Lost in thought, he unconsciously glanced back at the large town behind him.

What he saw startled him. Several small, grayish-white dots shot from the town into the sky, then dispersed, scattering in all directions. Two of them flew exceptionally fast, like shooting stars in the slightly western moonlight, flying directly towards him along the main road. Jiang Tiantao was utterly puzzled. Looking closer, he realized they were two plump, grayish-white pigeons. The pigeons were indeed incredibly fast; in an instant, they were already above Jiang Tiantao's head, reaching an altitude of several tens of feet.

Jiang Tiantao's heart skipped a beat, and he suddenly realized that this must be a message from the Three Hairpins Gang. Perhaps it was reporting that their leader, Lin, had been killed by the hooded woman, or perhaps it was notifying the branch ahead to intercept him. Thinking of this, a surge of anxiety and anger rose within him. Although he wasn't afraid of the Three Hairpins Gang's obstruction along the way, he was extremely worried that it would delay his return to Mufu Mountain.

The bright moon, following Xiaoqing's swift gallop, gradually sank in the west. By four in the morning, they had reached the river crossing east of Gancheng. Since it was still early and the ferry hadn't yet started operating, Jiang Tiantao had to stop at a small inn to give Xiaoqing two hours to rest and eat.

After crossing the river, the sky was already ablaze with the colors of dawn. Jiang Tiantao mounted his horse and continued galloping eastward along the official road. Before ten li had passed, a hilly pass appeared ahead, covered in lush green forest. The official road led directly to a depression in the middle of the hill. Jiang Tiantao had traversed the hilly region on his way here and knew that within the rolling hills lay two main roads, several large towns, and bustling markets. Although the main roads were mostly filled with travelers and merchants crossing the river, they all moved along the path, so it didn't hinder Jiang Tiantao's galloping horse.

As Jiang Tiantao advanced, he gradually noticed that many travelers coming from the hill pass looked at him with suspicion and worry. At the same time, many travelers gave him warning glances before looking back at the hill pass. Jiang Tiantao sensed something was amiss and looked up. He saw many figures and horses scattered at the hill pass; those going forward hesitated, while those coming were hurrying.

Gradually, he could make out that the scattered figures were all burly men in tight-fitting clothes carrying single swords, and among them stood a monk, an old man, and a young woman. The monk was on the left, the old man on the right, and the young woman stood prominently in the center.

A young woman, dressed in black, with a long sword slung across her back, possessed delicate features, almond-shaped eyes, and a graceful figure. Her cherry-red lips parted slightly, revealing a sliver of pearly white teeth. Judging from her expression, she seemed to be questioning a young man in a blue robe riding a blue-and-white horse. To her right, a monk in grey robes, carrying a crescent-shaped shovel, appeared to be in his forties and showed no signs of ferocity. An old man, dressed in homespun linen, was unarmed, carrying only a three-foot-long pipe, presumably his weapon. On one side of the road, a young scholar in a blue robe riding a dappled horse waited tremblingly for questioning, surrounded by a dozen burly men carrying swords.

Jiang Tiantao, observing the surroundings, realized they were not far from the pass. Seeing the people blocking her way, Xiao Qing let out a long howl and accelerated towards the pass.

The young woman, the old monk, and dozens of burly men carrying knives, who were standing at the pass, all looked up at the sound. The instant they looked up, many of them exclaimed, "The idea has come!"

The graceful young woman, seeing this, waved to her left and right, and the dozens of men scattered. At the same time, she shouted orders to two men in blue robes on horseback to hurry up and get going. The two young men in blue robes, as if granted a pardon, hastily mounted their horses, grabbed their bellies, and galloped into the pass. Jiang Tiantao had already discerned the origin and purpose of the young woman and her group. Upon approaching, he automatically reined in his horse. Only then did he notice that the graceful young woman was even more beautiful than he had seen from a distance.

Based on her position, he deduced that she was a leader of the hilly mountain region. Before Xiao Qing could even steady himself on his four hooves, the beautiful young woman clasped her hands in a respectful greeting and said sweetly, "You've come so quickly, sir. May I dismount and have a talk?"

Seeing the woman's gentle demeanor, Jiang Tiantao, though slightly angered, refrained from showing it and immediately cupped his hands in return, saying calmly, "I'm in a hurry to get on my way and have no time to stop. If you have something to say, please speak quickly."

Suddenly, the beautiful young woman blushed, her eyebrows furrowing slightly as she looked at Jiang Tiantao with a hint of reproach, seemingly annoyed that he had used the wrong form of address. Jiang Tiantao, judging her to be at least twenty-six or twenty-seven years old, was confident he hadn't mispronounced her name. However, seeing her slightly displeased expression, he quickly changed his address, saying, "Miss, please refrain from speaking. I truly have no intention of lingering."

Upon hearing Jiang Tiantao address her as "Miss," the beautiful young woman blushed even more and hurriedly replied with a smile, "My name is Luo Yanzhu, the ninety-ninth branch leader of the Three Hairpins Gang. I recently received a message from our gang that you once single-handedly defeated five of our gang's masters in Gongliang Town, east of Songtao. I am deeply impressed..."

Jiang Tiantao then... After Zhu finished speaking, she immediately interjected, "Your gang of five men attacked a hooded woman. I saw injustice and thus fought against your gang of five."

Luo Yanzhu smiled mysteriously, her meaning profound, and said, "You saved that hooded woman, and she will repay you in the future..."

Jiang Tiantao felt a surge of anger at the thought of that unreasonable hooded woman. Therefore, he raised his eyebrows and said in a deep voice, "Chief Luo, if this is all just trivial matters, please forgive me for leaving." With that, he was about to shake the reins and urge his horse on.

Upon seeing this, the old man in plain clothes hurriedly raised his hand and said loudly, "Please convey my words, sir."

Seeing the old man's gentle expression, Jiang Tiantao also humbly replied, "Please speak, sir."

The old man quickly and modestly said, "I dare not, I dare not. Our leader has been waiting here for you for some time now.

He has no intention of obstructing you. He only has a few words to discuss with you, which will absolutely not delay your arrival at Mufu Mountain." Upon hearing this, Jiang Tiantao's heart skipped a beat, and his expression changed instantly. He had not expected the Three Hairpins Gang's spies to be so capable, discovering his destination as Mufu Mountain in just one night. Startled, he hurriedly said, "What advice do you have, sir? Please speak it to me in person. I am ready to..." "To the best of my ability, I will obey your command."

Upon hearing this, the old man in plain clothes immediately showed a gleam of excitement on his kind face. He happily agreed and then solemnly said, "The founding principle of our gang is to unite all the heroes of the world into one, to work together to uphold justice and defend the righteous path. The gang leader sincerely invites you to join us..."

Before the old man in plain clothes could finish speaking, Jiang Tiantao immediately said with a smile, "Everyone has their own ambitions. Please forgive me for failing to live up to your kind intentions and for being unable to accept

your offer." The beautiful young woman, Luo Yanzhu, hurriedly added, "If you join us as you wish, you can choose any golden chair in the Hall of Heroes at the headquarters."

Jiang Tiantao found this amusing and couldn't help but laugh loudly, his voice like the resounding clang of gold, echoing through the forest and lingering for a long time. The beautiful young woman, Luo Yanzhu, and the monk and old man all changed their expressions upon hearing this. Based on this long and clear laughter, the message sent by the carrier pigeon was indeed true. The blue-robed youth's internal strength cultivation was indeed far beyond that of an ordinary first-rate master.

Jiang Tiantao, still childlike at heart, intended to tease the three women, so he suppressed his laughter and asked loudly, "May I ask if the golden chair in your esteemed sect's Cuiying Hall includes the throne of your sect leader?"

Upon hearing this question, the expressions of the beautiful young woman and the old man changed simultaneously. The monk holding the shovel immediately clasped his hands together, loudly proclaimed "Amitabha," and then said in a deep voice, "Young benefactor, your words are arrogant and contemptuous. Although our sect is ordered not to spar with you, it is my duty, and I must ask you for a few of my most exquisite techniques." As soon as he finished speaking, he leaped two zhang into the air, his crescent shovel in hand unleashing a "Vajra Mountain-Splitting" strike, accompanied by a gust of wind, aimed directly at Jiang Tiantao's head.

Jiang Tiantao smiled coldly, spurring his horse more than ten zhang away, and with a long leap, he landed on top of the monk. A flash of cold light, and his longsword was simultaneously drawn from its sheath. While in mid-air, she straightened her waist, instantly changing position headfirst and feet first. With her long sword, she swiftly performed the "Dividing the Ground" technique, creating an arc-shaped streak that slashed straight at the monk's shoulder and neck. The monk, who had just struck the wrong spot, felt a gust of wind behind his head. Realizing something was wrong, he quickly plummeted back, his toes barely touching the ground as he flew back two zhang (approximately 6.6 meters).

Jiang Tiantao slashed through the air with his sword, then swiftly executed a somersault, leaping over the monk's head. With a roar, he brought his sword down in a fierce strike. The monk wielding the shovel was startled, shouting and parrying with his shovel.

The young woman and the old man in plain clothes paled at the sight, simultaneously crying out, "Young hero, please spare Qian..."

Jiang Tiantao's sword still struck with lightning speed, but he had reduced his power by forty percent. With a clang, sparks flew as the monk with the shovel was thrown backward. In a flash, the old man in plain clothes leaped forward and caught the monk. Using the force of the recoil, Jiang Tiantao sprang up again, landing gracefully on his horse. He spurred the horse, and Xiao Qing neighed angrily, galloping towards the pass.

Although the old man in plain clothes was shocked by Jiang Tiantao's agility, he still called out loudly, "Young hero, please reconsider my words."

Jiang Tiantao, still in a joking tone, said loudly, "If the three beauties are willing to come down the mountain to greet me, I would be very willing to visit Dongliang Mountain." After saying this, he laughed heartily again, full of youthful folly, and galloped straight into the hilly area.

As Jiang Tiantao galloped, he thought about how his internal strength and swordsmanship had improved rapidly, and he couldn't help but feel secretly happy. He remembered Sister Xue's advice, hoping that he would meet his master again in a new guise. Sister Xue's words had indeed come true.

He galloped out of the hilly area and headed straight for Chenzhou. At this time, the Xiangbei area was in the midst of a bountiful harvest. During the leisure time after farming, the people used this time to celebrate and feast with each other, and everywhere was a scene of peace and prosperity. Although the roadside was very lively, Jiang Tiantao had no interest in looking around and just kept riding forward. Fortunately, the journey from the hilly terrain to crossing the lake was smooth. Not only did they avoid being ambushed by the Three Hairpins Gang, but they also encountered almost no martial arts figures along the way.

Jiang Tiantao was focused on his journey, and the bustling atmosphere along the route prevented him from noticing the sudden decrease in martial arts figures. Although a joyous event had been circulating in the taverns and teahouses, Jiang Tiantao had been busy eating and resting during his breaks and hadn't heard anything. After crossing the lake, it was late afternoon, and Xiangyin City was ablaze with lights, as bright as day.

Jiang Tiantao knew that the Xiangbei Duck Restaurant in the western gate of Xiangyin was the most famous, renowned for its delicious duck meat, and his appetite was whetted. He immediately stopped his horse. He handed Xiaoqing to the waiter and hurried upstairs. Since it was dinner time, the upstairs was almost full. Fortunately, there were two empty tables in a corner, and Jiang Tiantao sat down at one of them.

He ordered a pot of fine aged wine and three kinds of duck meat that perfectly suited his taste, roasted and braised, and slowly poured himself a drink. Since he couldn't see any martial arts figures upstairs, nor hear any discussions of the martial world, even the two or three who appeared to be martial artists were all old men with white beards. Xiangyin was an important town, and its city gates remained open all night. Jiang Tiantao decided to drink until after midnight before continuing his journey. He thought that two nights of rest and fodder for Xiaoqing would be enough.

He calculated the journey; if he set off after midnight, he could reach Mufu Mountain by noon the next day. After releasing his horses and climbing Xizhou Peak before late afternoon, he could pay his respects to his master. Thinking of his master, Fairy Haitang, who had raised him since childhood, a feeling of reverence and admiration welled up within him. She was not only a master whose kindness was as high as a mountain, but also a mother whose virtue was as deep as the sea. He didn't know when or how he could repay his master's great kindness and virtue.

Then, the image of his beloved Sister Xue, with her pure, serene, and dignified beauty, and her elegant, lily-like face, immediately came to mind. Jiang Tiantao couldn't help but smile at the thought of this beautiful senior sister with whom he had grown up, whose secret feelings he had only now begun to uncover. Another girl who crossed his mind was his petite, charming, and capable cousin, Wang Yanling.

He thought that whether it was his master, his cousin, or Sister Xue, when he talked about his chance encounter with the glutton and his accidental consumption of the Vermilion Immortal Fruit, they would all burst into laughter. Especially when they heard that his lightness skill, internal strength, and swordsmanship had all improved by leaps and bounds, they would excitedly praise Jiang Tiantao for his good fortune. Thinking of this, he forgot his worries and the fatigue of his journey, and he smiled again. In the blink of an eye, he had devoured three kinds of wild meat and a pot of fine wine, leaving the bowls and plates empty and the pot emptied.

Just then, a hearty laugh echoed from downstairs, followed by a cacophony of footsteps climbing the stairs. Jiang Tiantao's heart skipped a beat; judging from the powerful laughter, he knew that martial arts masters had arrived downstairs, and more than one at that. Looking back upstairs, he saw that most of the initial guests had left, and the remaining patrons were all newcomers. Turning to look out the window, he realized it was past midnight, so he quickly got up and called the waiter to settle the bill.

Just as the waiter rushed over to collect the bill, two elderly men accompanied a middle-aged scholar upstairs. The scholar appeared to be about thirty-seven or thirty-eight years old, with a face like the ancient moon, eyebrows that reached his temples, and bright, intelligent eyes. He wore a moon-white long robe and carried a gilded folding fan, which further enhanced his elegant demeanor and refined bearing, making it clear at a glance that he was no ordinary person. Behind him were two old men, one in a blue robe and the other in a black shirt, both with frosty eyebrows and silver beards, ruddy complexions, and kind and benevolent expressions that exuded warmth and approachability.

Jiang Tiantao, while observing them and paying for his drinks, was about to leave when he noticed the middle-aged scholar stop at the entrance, staring at him with a bewildered expression, as if trying to recall something he had forgotten. The two old men behind him glanced at Jiang Tiantao indifferently, but when they noticed the scholar's sudden halt, they deliberately scrutinized him.

Jiang Tiantao didn't recognize the scholar at all and continued walking towards the entrance. Just as he took a step, he suddenly saw the middle-aged scholar, whose brows furrowed slightly. He exclaimed softly and hurried over, smiling with a puzzled look, "This young hero looks familiar. Where have I seen him before?"

Jiang Tiantao, being inexperienced and simple-minded, had not yet been tempered by the ways of the martial world. Upon hearing the question, he quickly stopped, cupped his hands, and smiled, saying, "Please forgive my poor eyesight..."

Before Jiang Tiantao could finish speaking, the middle-aged scholar hurriedly explained, "My surname is Huangfu, my given name is Yang, and I am known as the Jade Fan Scholar. I have lived in Xiangyin City for generations. May I ask your honorable name, young hero?" "Where is this immortal land?"

Jiang Tiantao, seeing that the man had sincerely stated his name and place of residence, naturally hoped that if he did, the man would confirm that he was not recognized. Therefore, he humbly said, "So you are Senior Huangfu. I have long admired you. My surname is Jiang, and my given name is Tiantao. My family has lived in Jiugongbao, Mufu Mountain for generations..." As

soon as the words "Jiugongbao" were uttered, the Jade Fan Scholar and the two old men were suddenly shocked. Their expressions changed simultaneously, and they exclaimed in a tone full of admiration, "So you are the young master of Jiugongbao, the eldest son of the old master Jiang, the Land Dragon. My apologies, my apologies."

Jiang Tiantao looked at... The three men, including Yu Shan Xiu Shi, were shocked and realized they had let slip their secret. Though inwardly regretful, they humbly smiled and said, "We dare not, we dare not.

This junior, Jiang Tiantao, humbly requests your guidance in the future." The old man in blue robes, slightly smug, said, "My good friend, Ma Yunshan, the Zhen Guai Zhen Jiuzhou, often speaks to me of your father, the Old Master Jiang, who is known for his respect for talent and thirst for knowledge. He is especially valued by the Old Master."

Jiang Tiantao, hearing Ma Yunshan mentioned, knew the three men before him were all famous figures, and thus respectfully asked: "May I ask your honorable name, venerable elder..."

The old man in blue laughed heartily and said, "

I am Chu Yibiao, also known as the Old Man of Xiangjiang..." Before he could finish speaking, the scholar with the jade fan suddenly laughed and said first, "Heroic Elder Chu is two years older than Ma Yunshan, hence I call him Brother Yibiao." As

he spoke, he turned to the old man in black and introduced him, "This is Heroic Elder Hao, also known as the Many-Armed Nezha. Now he has a silver beard reaching his chest and white hair and eyebrows, so he should also be called the Many-Armed Old Man." After saying this, he, the Many-Armed Nezha, and the Old Man of Xiangjiang all laughed heartily at the same time.

The old man in black, nicknamed "Man-armed Nezha," was the first to stop smiling and said, "It

's a rare honor for Young Master Jiang to grace Xiangyin with his presence. Tonight, I, the old man, will host a grand banquet at the Duck Restaurant, drinking until we're completely drunk." Jiang Tiantao, seeing the three men's forced smiles and the Jade Fan Scholar's unsolicited introduction, became somewhat suspicious. Although he was certain they meant no harm, he was already full and eager to continue his journey, so he wouldn't accept their invitation to drink further. He quickly cupped his hands in apology, saying, "I appreciate the kindness of the three seniors, but I have urgent business to attend to and cannot stay long. I will trouble you again another day."

Upon hearing this, Man-armed Nezha asked in surprise, "What? Even at this hour, Young Master Jiang is still on his way?"

Jiang Tiantao immediately responded respectfully, "Yes." Suddenly, the old man from Xiangjiang's eyes lit up as if he had realized something, and he smiled, saying, "If it weren't for the young master's haste, I would have forgotten the joyous occasion of your father's matchmaking event for Miss Wang tomorrow..."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Tiantao shuddered, his expression changing drastically. With a swift movement of his right arm, he seized the old man's right wrist, his brow furrowing as he demanded sharply, "Senior, what did you say?"

The Jade Fan Scholar and the Multi-Armed Nezha were both taken aback by Jiang Tiantao's sudden action. Although the old man had been caught off guard, given Chu Yibiao's skill and experience, he should have been able to dodge or counterattack. Instead, he was firmly held captive. Had Jiang Tiantao not added an old man to the mix during his angry outburst, the Jade Fan Scholar and the Multi-Armed Nezha would likely have already attacked.

Even before Jiang Tiantao revealed his name and background, the old man from Xiangjiang had been puzzled by the Jiugongbao's plan to hold a martial arts tournament to find a husband. He wondered why, with such a handsome and skilled young master, the fortress lord would need to openly hold such a contest. Suddenly, Jiang Tiantao grabbed his right wrist. Although his face flushed slightly, he didn't get angry. Instead, he asked, puzzled, "What? The young master doesn't know about this?"

Jiang Tiantao trembled, unable to explain, and could only release his wrist, anxiously asking, "Senior, do you know when it starts tomorrow?"

Seeing Jiang Tiantao's anxious expression, the old man from Xiangjiang knew something was amiss, but said calmly, "Young master, there's no need to worry too much. With Miss Wang's martial arts skills, she may find it difficult to defeat you within three to five days. Although it starts at dawn tomorrow, Miss Wang may not even appear on the first day."

Jiang Tiantao was filled with anxiety and confusion, and hurriedly... He cupped his hands and said hastily, "Take care, three venerable elders, farewell."

With that, he rushed to the entrance of the building, leaped down the stairs, and reached the bottom. He could still hear the three scholars, including Yu Shan, shouting in unison, "Young Master, please calm down! Haste makes waste..."

Jiang Tiantao was in a state of turmoil and couldn't hear them. He shouted "Thank you!" and leaped outside. Xiao Qing was already prepared, being held by a shopkeeper. "Grow your strength, mount your horse, take the reins, and head straight into the city."

It was past midnight, and there were few pedestrians on the streets. Jiang Tiantao rode like the wind, passing through the city and heading east. Xiao Qing galloped wildly. The bright moon hung in the sky, the sky was clear, and the wilderness was deathly silent. Jiang Tiantao sat on his horse, his sword-like eyebrows furrowed, his lips tightly pressed together, urging the horse on from time to time. Xiao Qing raised her head, her beard bristling, her eyes flashing. Driven almost mad by Jiang Tiantao's urging, she occasionally let out a long, resounding neigh.

Wang Yanling's feigned illness couldn't fool the cunning and ruthless Poisonous Lady, something he had long anticipated. However, he hadn't expected her to openly set up a marriage contest, and so quickly. Thinking of the countless highly skilled young talents in the martial arts world, he worried that if his cousin Wang Yanling were no match, it would be disastrous. Even if his cousin was unwilling to marry him, she would have no choice but to accept her fate for the sake of her father's reputation and status in the martial arts world. Jiang Tiantao sat blankly on the saddle, letting Xiao Qing gallop away. He knew that even if Xiao Qing worked herself to death, they wouldn't reach Mufu Mountain before Chenshi (7-9 AM).

Time didn't stop for Jiang Tiantao's anxiety and worry; the bright morning sun, as always, slowly climbed above the horizon. Jiang Tiantao eagerly looked eastward, but he couldn't even see the silhouette of Mufu Mountain, while Xiao Qing's shoulders, back, and neck were already soaked with sweat.

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