Chapter Ten of the Heavenly Tribulation of the Sun: Holding Hands, Emerging Together

Upon hearing this, the brothers Jie Zhen and Jie Zhao, who arrived shortly after, both paled. Jie Jun, slammed into the inner room by his palms, was further injured. After struggling for a long time, he could only prop himself up halfway, sitting cross-legged against the wall, biting his mouth full of blood. His tiger-like eyes under his fiery eyebrows stared at Jie Jinglei, as if he wanted to spit fire.

Jie Zhen remained seated, casually taking a flat wooden box from a drawer and tossing it to Jie Jun. It was the box of the sacred medicine "Storage and Renewal Pill" sent by Jiuyi Mountain.

"Take it immediately, and don't get angry for three hours, lest it cause serious harm." Jie Zhen stroked his beard, not even glancing at Jie Jun, and said slowly, "The affairs of the clan are not for you children to concern yourselves with. All of you, step back.

Second brother, if you have something to say, we can talk it out between the two of us. Why make such a big fuss?"

Jie Jinglei put his hands behind his back, looked up at the roof, and sneered, "What? It concerns something you can't tell anyone, so you're afraid to let anyone hear it?" Jie Zhen's expression was blank, and his face was very unpleasant.

Jie Zhen's lips moved slightly, and he was about to step forward, but Jie Ping gently pulled him back.

She tiptoed close to Jie Zhen's ear, and a faint fragrance of a young girl brushed against his nose from her bangs.

"Third Brother, don't worry, my father knows what he's doing." Suddenly realizing she was still being held in her third brother's arms, her round face flushed. She gently pushed him away, but for some reason, her body felt weak, and her heart pounded. However, she didn't dare to be too presumptuous, so she moved aside slightly and leaned softly against his shoulder. Fortunately, her skin was dark, glossy, and dense like amber, so her blush wasn't easily noticed.

Jie Zhen remained seated in his chair, stroking the smooth armrest while lowering his eyelids, as if muttering to himself: "You want to be the head of the family, I have no objection. But over the years, I've fought in the south and north, upholding justice for the martial world, and established unparalleled achievements. That's why Zhao Ri Manor and Sui Ping Prefecture have their current reputation and glory. Second Brother, what do you rely on to sit in this position? Is it martial arts, popularity, status in the martial world, or just a love of fighting?" As he spoke, his voice became stern, and he suddenly looked up, his eyes flashing with cold lightning.

Jie Jinglei remained unmoved, seemingly confident, hands behind his back, coldly chuckling as he said, word by word,

"Just because you're already a cripple who has lost all your martial arts."

Jie Zhen's face darkened, his right hand clenching tightly on the armrest, and he sneered, "Do you want to try?"

Jie Jinglei's martial arts were from the same lineage as his brother's, both being the ancestral Great Sun Divine Skill and Blazing Sun Sword Technique. In his youth, he had also gone to Tiancheng Mountain to study under a master, but due to the inherent limitation of the Great Sun Divine Skill, he could not improve further after reaching the second level at the age of twenty. In terms of the age at which he broke through the threshold, he was even a year younger than Jie Zhen. As for the "Eight Formations of Pacifying the Rong," it was the supreme skill of the Yunyang family's old residence, and the eldest branch of the family naturally had no way to learn it.

The martial arts path of young Jie Jinglei seemed to have reached a dead end, but his innate perseverance and unwillingness to be inferior to others were exactly the same as his brother's, so he went back to Tiancheng Mountain to seek instruction. That day, when the patriarch Huangting was in high spirits, he used a broom to write a huge character in the courtyard filled with fallen paulownia leaves. The wind blew the leaves, leaving behind the withered and crisscrossing characters on the bluestone slabs of the courtyard, like dragons and phoenixes soaring. Each stroke penetrated the texture of the bluestone bricks, yet there were no traces of carving; instead, it seemed as if it had grown out of the bluestone bricks, perfectly natural.

At that time, besides Jie Jinglei, Xuanhe, Xuanhong, and the other "Five Xuan of Tiancheng" were also present. The Five Xuan, who had been serving at his seat for more than fifteen years, knew that the patriarch had not pursued martial arts for over fifteen years. If it weren't for the chill of autumn and the feeling of looking up at the vast sky and earth, he would never have acted so passionately. If he hadn't unintentionally revealed his martial arts, he would have been holding his breath and concentrating, fearing the slightest mistake.

The old ancestor finished writing casually, threw down the broom, and sighed, "I am approaching a hundred years old, yet I still cannot reach the state of no-mind. The mysteries of creation are beyond human resistance!" He turned his back to the crowd, his gaze finally settling on Jie Jinglei's face, and asked with a smile, "Gongwei! Tell me, what did I write?"

Jie Jinglei stared intently, and saw that the large characters were five zhang in diameter, almost occupying the entire small inner courtyard. The strokes were vigorous and varied, resembling both "martial arts" and "conquest," and could be described as halberds, weapons, and slaughter. Each stroke felt like a great army was mobilized, containing the magnificent momentum of ten thousand horses galloping and golden spears clashing. His heart stirred, and he even began to imitate the strokes. When he came to his senses, he had already finished performing a sword technique with his hands empty.

The Four Mysterious Vultures, who were most fond of martial arts and were about the same age as Jie Jinglei, couldn't help but clap and cheer loudly. Erxuan Xuanhong glared at him, and Sanxuan Xuanling seemed to have been interrupted as well, frowning and glancing sideways. Xuanjiu then reluctantly shut his mouth, his face full of displeasure.

"This disciple has been presumptuous!" Jie Jinglei blushed and bowed to apologize.

"It's alright." The ancestor waved his hand dismissively and asked with a smile, "Gongwei, what character do you think I wrote?"

Jie Jinglei closed his eyes and concentrated, reviewing the rough and simple routine he had unintentionally used earlier. Although it was swordsmanship, it contained the energy of knives, spears, halberds, and staffs, wide and sweeping, as if facing a thousand armies. He had no more doubts and opened his eyes, clasped his hands, and said, "In this disciple's eyes, the ancestor wrote the character 'war'!"

This understanding was completely different from what the five Xuans had thought. The five of them immediately fell into deep thought, and the small courtyard was desolate, with only the bleak autumn wind. Jie Jinglei was feeling guilty when he heard the ancestor chuckle and say, "That's good, that's good!" He then went into the room with his hands behind his back and did not ask any more questions.

Jie Jinglei spent three months at Tiancheng Mountain, gazing daily at the "War" character he envisioned, until he could not forget it even in his final moments.

He spent ten years honing his skills, encountering countless masters, finally refining the "Great War Sword" into its sharpest edge, perfecting its creation. It shone brightly in the Battle of Xiangshan, assisting Fa Tianxing in leading the four-family coalition to attack Miwu Palace, killing three of the five guardians of Miwu Palace, its fame shaking the world, making it arguably the greatest achievement of the four families.

How much effort and insight does it take to create a martial art? This is the level of skill and insight only a grandmaster possesses; although inspired by the Yellow Court Ancestor, it is still a rare feat. After the battle, Jie Zhen, showing no favoritism, appointed Jie Jinglei to command the Xiangshan garrison, and the other three families accepted without complaint; the "Great War Sword" can be said to have played a crucial role. When

the Great War Sword encounters the legendary sixth level of the Great Sun Divine Skill, who will prevail?

The atmosphere in the study was tense, with brothers fighting amongst themselves for the throne. Jie Zhen and Jie Jinglei stared at each other coldly. After a long while, Jie Zhen finally lowered his shoulders, sighed dejectedly, and looked as if he had aged more than ten years in the blink of an eye. He lowered his eyes and said, "This matter is known to no more than four people in the world, including myself. I have kept it a secret to the best of my ability. Where did you hear this from?"

Jie Zhao, Jie Jun, and the others were shocked by his words and looked at each other in astonishment.

Jie Jun still refused to believe it. He raised his thick, red eyebrows and said in a hoarse voice, "Father! Your martial arts..."

Jie Jinglei interrupted him, sneering, "The Great Sun Divine Skill has an innate restriction; it's difficult to advance beyond the third level. Yet he insisted on going against the heavens, using some unknown method to forcefully cultivate this technique to the sixth level. As a result, he suffered a qi deviation, and can only use his internal energy for one hour out of twelve hours a day. Moreover, he has no control over when he can use it, making him no different from a cripple!"

Jie Jun suddenly looked back at his father, only to see Jie Zhen slumped in his chair, his shoulders slumped and his head bowed, having already tacitly admitted it.

Jie Jinglei said in a deep voice, "He has hidden this secret for ten years. In these ten years, where has he placed the reputation and safety of my Zhaori Manor! If anything goes wrong, the Jie family's reputation will be ruined, the ancestral temple will be destroyed, and how will we face our ancestors in the afterlife! Jie Zhen, even now, do you still cling to power and cling to the title of family head?"

"Leading a family is not solely about force! The Demonic Sect is about to make its move, yet you... only think about seizing power!"

"I regard fame and position as nothing! It is precisely because the Demonic Sect is about to make its move that I would never want to see you again in this life!" Jie Jinglei laughed angrily, "Jie Zhen! Today, if the Demonic Sect really launches a full-scale attack, can you defeat Xiao Yupo again, and defeat Weiyun Mountain again? Ask yourself, who is it that can't let go of fame, fortune, and power!"

Jie Zhen's face was ashen. He rested his head on his hand. Once the illusion of his invincible legend was shattered, this once-dominant number one among the Six Masters looked like a frail old man bedridden on his deathbed, his life hanging by a thread. His thin body, wrapped in a brocade robe, trembled, his pale skin radiating a sickly helplessness. Apart from a remnant of stubborn arrogance between his brows, he was nothing more than an ordinary sick old man.

Jie Ping, unable to bear the sight, stepped forward and gracefully curtsied, saying softly, "Uncle, it's me, A-Ping. We haven't seen each other for many years! A-Ping has always thought of you." Jie Zhen slowly raised his head, glanced at her wearily, and forced a smile, but did not reply.

Jie Ping stepped forward, unconsciously bypassing her father, and came to the desk.

Jie Jinglei gripped the sword hilt with a backhand, his whole body tensing. He said in a deep voice, "Aping, come back! Stop fooling around!" According to the intelligence he possessed, although Jie Zhen had no internal energy for eleven hours a day, he possessed the astonishing power of the sixth level of the Great Sun Divine Art during the remaining hour. This was a supreme cultivation level capable of subduing contemporary masters such as Yuwen Xiaoxiao, Sheng Huayan, and Fu Fengzhi. No one knew when

it happened. Jie Zhen was cunning and scheming; his current decline might just be a feigned weakness. Jie Ping smiled, brushing her hair aside, and turned back, saying, "Father, it's alright. Uncle has always doted on me since I was little." She took a cloak from the shelf beside the table, half-squatting and half-kneeling beside Jie Zhen's chair, carefully draping the cloak over him to keep him warm.

This action not only surprised everyone present, but even Jie Zhen was taken aback, blurting out in a low voice, "You... why aren't you afraid of me?" He was a seasoned veteran of the martial world, certain that Jie Jinglei still harbored some apprehension, fearing he'd fallen for his feigned weakness. He hadn't expected his little niece to disrupt their plans.

"We're all family, what's there to be afraid of?"

Jie Ping smiled lightly, seemingly finding her uncle's words amusing. Seeing Jie Zhen choking back a breath and slightly shrinking back, she casually patted his back, as naturally as a daughter serving her father. "Uncle, my father, like you, is cold on the outside but warm on the inside. The men of the Jie family! None of them can say anything nice. But family is family after all. Even if there's a quarrel within the family, our hearts won't side with outsiders."

Jie Zhen listened silently, tightening his cloak.

"The Demonic Sect is stirring, and the three great families each harbor their own ulterior motives. My uncle is unwell, and I cannot bear to see him fight alone. My father is in his prime, with profound martial arts skills, and has no legitimate son. Even though he temporarily assumes the position of family head today, he will eventually return it to my second and third brothers. This is to cope with the current difficulties, not for personal gain."

Jie Jinglei snorted coldly, neither agreeing nor disagreeing. Jie Zhen, however, lowered his head, his expression thoughtful.

Jie Ping bent down without moving, picked up the teapot on the table, added some hot water to the cup, carefully skimmed off the tea leaves and foam, and presented it to Jie Zhen with both hands, saying softly, "Uncle, my father has three thousand iron cavalry under his command, but he only brought his trusted 'Flying Tiger Eighteen Riders' to the capital. If he had malicious intentions, would he have done this? Please do not doubt me, Uncle."

Jie Zhen took the covered cup, his hands trembling slightly. After a long while, he took out a small black iron token from his sleeve and handed it to Jie Ping. The front of the iron plaque was cast with a sun wheel pattern, while the back featured a small sword. On either side were engraved eight small seal characters: "The red sun begins its cycle, its light shines without end." This was the "Red Sun Talisman," a token symbolizing the supreme authority of Zhaori Manor.

Jie Ping accepted it with both hands, stood up, straightened her clothes, and bowed, presenting the Red Sun Talisman to her father. Jie Zhen hissed, "Second brother!

Your daughter is beautiful, and everything she says makes sense. I have nothing more to say. Now that the 'Red Sun Talisman' is yours, you are in charge of Zhaori Manor from now on. Do as you please, kill or torture as you see fit."

Jie Jinglei hadn't expected him to be so decisive. He slowly tucked the Red Sun Talisman into his pocket. Seeing his brother, with whom he had fought for so many years, suddenly seem to have aged more than ten years, all traces of his former arrogance gone, he suddenly felt a pang of sympathy. The sarcastic words were on the tip of his tongue, but he lost his enthusiasm. After a moment's thought, he said in a deep voice, "Eldest brother, I won't make things difficult for you. Tomorrow we'll set off together for Tiancheng Mountain. After things are settled at this mountain, you can stay there to retire. If your sons are still willing to serve Zhaori Manor, let them stay in the capital. I will treat them as my own sons and raise them to inherit the Jie family's legacy." As he spoke, he glanced at Jie Zhao with an unfriendly look.

"Only this fourth son, I won't allow him to stay in the manor any longer, embarrassing the family and ruining its reputation! Whether you send him to the old residence in Yunyang to reflect on his mistakes, or take him to Tiancheng Mountain for proper discipline, it's all up to you. As for the marriage between Xiao Jieying and the Three Immortals Sect, I will do my best to facilitate it for you. On the eve of the wedding, I will send someone to Tiancheng Mountain to bring you back for a drink. Do you have any objections to this arrangement?"

Jie Zhen shook his head dejectedly, speechless for a moment, before saying, "Let Zhao'er come with me to Tiancheng Mountain! Going back to the old residence in Yunyang will only mean more suffering." Jie Jinglei nodded, "As you wish." His gaze swept across Jie Jun and Jie Zhen's faces. Jie

Zhen was still hesitant, but then heard Jie Jun grit his teeth and say, "I'll go with Father." Everyone was surprised. Jie Zhen avoided the eager gazes of his cousin and second uncle, and after a long while, he said in a hoarse voice, "I... I'll also go up the mountain with Father." Jie Ping couldn't hide her disappointment, but didn't say anything more.

Jie Jinglei, expressionless, abruptly turned around and coldly tossed out, "I will meet with the envoys of the three families in the main hall later to announce the abdication of the manor lord. You lot, get ready, don't be late!" His burly figure disappeared out the door, like a dark, imposing mountain.

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Jie Zhao stood there dumbfounded, motionless.

His fate had been decided just like that, without anyone even asking if he was willing. Jie Zhao suddenly found it utterly absurd and laughable, and couldn't help but laugh. Jie Jun, his anger blazing, turned and roared, "Damn it! What time is it, and you're still causing trouble!" He raised his fist to strike. Jie Zhen grabbed him, angrily saying, "Second brother! Do you have any sense of reason?"

"Shut up, both of you!" Jie Zhen waved his hand, and the two immediately dared not cause any more trouble.

“Go down. I’m tired, my mind is in turmoil, I want to be alone for a while.”

Jie Ping said softly, “Uncle, I’ll have someone stew some nourishing soup for you. I have a few recipes, and I prepare them for my father every day; they’re very effective.” Jie Zhen’s expression relaxed slightly, but there was an indescribable weariness in his smile: “Good child. If my daughter were half as thoughtful as you, I wouldn’t care about the struggles of the martial world or the rise and fall of good and evil. I’d rather retire to the countryside and enjoy my old age.” Jie Ping smiled slightly and nodded: “Uncle has worked hard all his life and achieved great success, which has worn him out. He should rest and recuperate properly. Once he’s fully recovered, he can once again lead the righteous path of the martial world and sweep away evil.” She curtsied and left the study with Jie Zhen and the others.

Upon entering the courtyard, Jie Jun glared at Jie Ping with a fierce look, shouting, "Bah! Who asked you to come and sell things?" Jie Ping had anticipated his response and wasn't surprised at all. She gently advised, "Second Brother, your injuries haven't healed yet. Don't get angry easily. Whether my father is good or bad, you'll understand in the future. Don't get angry with your younger sister now, lest you harm your health." Jie

Jun flung his hand away and turned his attention to Jie Zhen. "Father said that only three people in the world know about his demonic possession, and you, who are always by his side, must be one of those three. Speak! Did you sell the secret to someone else?"

Jie Zhen raised an eyebrow, his handsome face flushed, and he angrily said, "Hou Sheng also knows about this, why don't you say it's him! I went to live in seclusion with Father in Tiancheng Mountain, what benefit would it bring me to leak the secret? The other day, when Father heard the news of the ancestor's death, he fainted on the spot, and you were the one who insisted on finding a doctor, which I strongly stopped... If we're talking about leaking secrets, you can't escape responsibility either!"

Jie Jun sneered, "I will go and find Hou Sheng to find out the truth. Don't think that just because you've latched onto your sister, you can sit on the throne of the family head!" He left the two of them and angrily strode out of the courtyard. Though he didn't mean anything by it, Jie Zhen and Jie Ping both felt a flush on their faces. Turning around and not seeing Jie Zhao anywhere, the large courtyard was left with only the brother and sister, making the awkwardness even greater.

In Zhongchen Prefecture, the customs prohibit marriage between cousins. According to the folk custom of "no marriage between people of the same surname," cousins cannot marry. However, the Jie family originally came from the western borderlands. It is said that among the barbarian tribes of Xihe Prefecture, not only could cousins marry, but also cousins from the same paternal clan could. Back when Zhaori Manor was still in Yunyang County, due to the barbarian customs, there were many examples of cousin marriages; even now, such cases occasionally still occur in the old Yunyang residence. However, with the spread of civilization during the Tiansheng Dynasty, the people have gradually come to regard it as shameful and incestuous.

Jie Jun's biological parents were both from the same clan, thus his western border bloodline was particularly distinct. He was naturally brave and didn't feel there was anything wrong with saying such things. Jie Zhen and Jie Ping, both raised with aristocratic educations from Zhongjing, found Jie Jun's words tantamount to accusing them of incest and adultery. Despite the extreme slander, Jie Ping felt not only shame but also a strange flush and palpitations, her body becoming hot and weak.

Seeing Jie Zhen trembling with anger, she composed herself and said softly, "It all happened so suddenly, no wonder Second Brother is so angry. Third Brother… Third Brother, please don't be upset." Jie Zhen shook his head and said softly, "Sister, you've come a long way and must be tired. Rest for a while."

He then led her to the back of the house.

Jie Ping had lived in Suiping Prefecture for a long time during her childhood. There was a small courtyard in the prefecture where she could rest. Although she hadn't been to the capital for a long time, she still knew the way well. The two walked side by side without saying a word. Jie Zhen accompanied her into the room, called the maid to prepare clothes, bedding and dressing table, and personally tied the curtain and opened the window for his sister.

He bowed and said, "Sister, please rest well. I won't disturb you." "Third Brother!" Jie Ping called softly. When she saw his handsome eyes welcoming her, her heart stirred. She twirled her handkerchief to compose herself and smiled comfortingly, "Although my father has taken over the position of head of the family, I know he has no desire for power. And I am a woman, so I cannot inherit the foundation of Zhaori Manor. Third Brother, going up the mountain with Uncle is to fulfill your filial duty, which is only natural. However, a fine man cannot be confined to his parents' knees. He must transfer his filial piety to loyalty and do his part for the Jie family and the martial arts world. Only then can he live up to the expectations of Uncle and my father."

“Third Brother, don’t be discouraged. At the latest, within three months, my father will definitely send someone to bring you back and entrust you with important responsibilities.”

Jie Zhen was taken aback, then shook his head with a wry smile.

“Sister, you’re overthinking it! I’m not worried about this.”

Now it was Jie Ping’s turn to be slightly surprised.

In recent years, Jie Zhen had been plagued by illness, and Suiping Prefecture was actually managed by Jie Zhen. She originally thought that her third brother, having suddenly lost his power and been forced to go into seclusion in the mountains with his father, would be filled with resentment, but she didn’t expect him to be troubled by something else. Seeing Jie Zhen frown, shake his head, and turn to leave, Jie Ping suddenly felt uneasy. She got up and gently tugged at her third brother’s sleeve, saying softly, “Third Brother, if you don’t mind my clumsiness, I’m willing to share your worries.”

Jie Zhen lowered his head and remained silent for a moment before sighing.

“I often wonder, if one day I were to abandon everything in this manor, what would I do? Now I understand!

I don’t want to go to Tiancheng Mountain; I’d rather return to Yunyang.”

Jie Ping, being exceptionally intelligent, immediately understood the meaning behind Jie Jun’s words, corresponding to his earlier statement. Her delicate little head buzzed with excitement, and a blush rose to her light brown cheeks. She was momentarily at a loss for words.

Jie Zhen sighed again, still not turning around: “My sister has grown up! She has become so beautiful, and soon she will be married. I am happy for you, but at the same time, I am worried and afraid. I… I fear that on your wedding day, I will not be able to drink a cup of congratulatory wine for you. I, Jie Zhen, consider myself upright, but I do not have the heart to bear this.”

Jie Ping had loved her third brother since childhood, but bound by the status of brother and sister, she never dared to have any improper thoughts. She secretly resolved to remain unmarried for life, only hoping to occasionally come to Zhongjing Suiping Prefecture to see her third brother’s figure from afar, and that would be enough for her.

Jie Zhen's words touched upon a foolish thought she had long dared not consider: "Third Brother is handsome and skilled in both literature and martial arts; his future sister-in-law must be the best woman in the world. On Third Brother's wedding day, I... I can't bear to watch them exchange vows and drink the nuptial wine together. Will my heart truly bleed?"

For that day, Jie Ping had gritted her teeth and practiced for many years, but now her mind went blank: "Third... Third Brother has me in his heart! Third Brother has me in his heart!" She felt a little dizzy and unconsciously clutched his clothes, whispering, "I... I will never marry. My father is all alone, so pitiful. I... I want to stay with him and never marry."

Jie Zhen suddenly turned around and pulled her into his arms; by the time Jie Ping came to her senses, their lips were already pressed tightly together, their kiss hot and wet.

Jie Ping was intoxicated by the kiss, her shoulders hunched and her neck turned to the side. Her delicate fingers pinched her palms, and her small hands helplessly rested on her shoulder blades. Her body felt weak and powerless, and she closed her eyes, tears streaming down her face.

Jie Zhen deeply sucked on her full, small lips, and after a moment, he reluctantly tilted his head back and breathed a hot breath into her ear: "Without you, I'll be all alone in this life. A-Ping! Let's escape from the capital together, to a place where no one knows us. I... I want you to be my wife." His arms tightened, but unlike the previous passionate embrace, his right palm pressed against her plump buttocks, squeezing her slightly through her lower garment; his left hand slid along her shoulder blade to her right armpit, filled with intense desire and teasing.

Jie Ping had trained with her father in the Flying Tiger Cavalry for many years, making her skilled in archery and horsemanship. Her waist was strong and sturdy, and her buttocks, accustomed to riding and swaying in the saddle, weren't exactly perky, but they possessed a plump elasticity unique to young girls. The curves of her lower body were beautiful like a pear, with firm, fleshy thigh muscles.

Jie Zhen pinched and pressed a few times, immediately feeling the tightness and elasticity, reluctant to let go; his left fingertips had just slipped under her right armpit when he touched a warm, beautiful mound of flesh, squeezed out by her tightly pressed elbow and armpit. Besides being plump, it also had a firm elasticity, and he could clearly feel the large, rounded shape. He was surprised: "What a large breast! She... actually has such a beautiful figure!" Compared to his sister's delicate and quiet demeanor, it aroused his desire to wantonly ravage her. He couldn't help but lower his head, but not to kiss her pink lips. Instead, he used the tip of his nose to rub against the side of her neck, and licked the plumpness at the base of Jie Ping's neck with his tongue. With moist saliva, he peeled open her collar and gently nibbled on the ties of her pink satin undergarment.

Jie Ping trembled all over, panting helplessly. Her tightly pressed legs were forced together by her third brother's thighs, their roots rubbing together, wet and hot. She could clearly feel the intense desire about to violate her. She had imagined this alluring and shameful scene countless times in her midnight chambers and on her brocade bed, but now that she was experiencing it in person, she was powerless to resist. She could only vaguely think, "Third brother wants me, third brother... he wants me!"

Jie Zhen grabbed her buttocks and lifted her off the ground, slowly bringing her to the bedside.

Jie Ping was pressed against the carved bedposts, her delicate embroidered boots barely touching the ground. She couldn't muster any strength, and her legs were slowly forced apart. Her struggles became increasingly weak. Jie Zhen couldn't bear to part with her round, plump buttocks. His demonic hand slid down the deep, tight crevice of her thighs, only to find a damp, sticky, and silky smooth piece of fabric covering her breasts, which protruded like a ripe peach. Even through the fabric, his palm could feel their fullness and plumpness, no less impressive than her buttocks.

"A-Ping! You...you will be my wife. I'll give up everything to give you a title!" Jie Zhen's lower body was aching with erection. He was afraid that she would slip away from his grasp, so he dared not let go. He waited for his dazed, flushed sister to nod before laying her down on the brocade couch and beginning to undress her.

Jie Ping had no strength left to resist. Upon hearing this, she suddenly stiffened: "If I run away with Third Brother, who will take care of Father? Third Brother is a dragon among men, how can... how can he be buried in obscurity for a mediocre woman like me, giving up his promising future?" Seeing her lover leaning down to kiss her, fearing that the last shred of clarity in her mind would be kissed away, she used her small hands to support herself against his lean and muscular chest, closed her eyes and lowered her head, saying:

"Brother! You... you let me go first, please."

Jie Zhen paused slightly, seeing her pitiful expression, the burning passion of their love gradually faded, and he released her hands as she asked.

Jie Ping felt his burning hand suddenly leave her body, the heat still lingering. She didn't know whether it was pain or bitterness, but it felt like a thousand needles piercing her, her blood surging, bursting as if about to explode from her large, full breasts. She composed herself, quietly wiping away her tears. Though her face was pale, she managed a forced smile: "With Third Brother's words, A-Ping's life has been worthwhile! If Third Brother marries another girl someday, I'll be happy to drink his wedding wine."

Jie Zhen shook his head. "If you never marry, I'm determined never to marry anyone else."

Jie Ping was about to speak when she saw his disappointment turn to cheerfulness, as if he had suddenly realized something, his expression gradually returning to its usual carefree and resolute state. “Wait for me, A-Ping. I will definitely return to Zhongjing to help Second Uncle carry on the family name and one day become the master of Zhaori Manor and take over Suiping Prefecture! When Second Uncle no longer needs anyone to accompany him, you…you come to accompany me.”

Jie Ping was taken aback, smiled and nodded, her eyes glistening with tears.

She wanted to shyly take his hand, but saw Jie Zhen looking at her deeply with a radiant expression before turning and striding away, his back view heroic and extraordinary.

Jie Ping had admired her father’s tall and handsome figure since childhood, and she especially admired the heroic spirit of men. Seeing this, her heart pounded, and she unconsciously reached out to touch her cheek: “I…I have fallen in love with such a man of great ambition!” She considered herself mediocre in talent and appearance, just average, yet she had been so favored by her third brother, but she hadn’t given herself to him just now; thinking of his slightly disappointed handsome face, she felt a mixture of shame and joy, and a sense of guilt towards him, as well as a disappointment at not being able to fulfill her dream, and suddenly felt a chill in her heart.

"What's wrong with me? Third Brother is upright and honest, as clear as snow. How could I... how could I have such licentious thoughts?

It's... it's so shameful!"

Just like the guilt that arises after each secret masturbation, mixed with pleasure, the brown-skinned girl's legs went weak as she thought about it. Her heart was filled with bitterness and sweetness, and she trembled as she sat down on the brocade couch, her hand on the carved door, gazing blankly at the sunset outside the window.

◇ ◇ ◇

That night, Suiping Prefecture held a grand banquet and invited many fellow Daoists from Zhongjing. Chang Zaifeng, Dao Chuyang, and others thought it was a welcome feast for Jie Jinglei, but unexpectedly, Jie Zhen suddenly announced that he would take this opportunity of the imperial decree to retire to Tiancheng Mountain. The "Red Sun Talisman," the symbol of the Zhaori Manor's leadership, had been given to Jie Jinglei, who would take over the manor and succeed him as the leader of the four alliances.

He finished speaking briefly and then fell silent, leaving the entire hall in astonishment.

Jie Jinglei rose, cupped his hands in greeting, surveyed the crowd, and declared loudly, "My elder brother has been unwell, and I cannot bear to leave him to shoulder the burden alone. Upon our return from Tiancheng Mountain, I will send invitations to the three families and all martial arts practitioners to formally convene the succession ceremony. For now, the imperial decree takes precedence, so please convey my regards to the family heads."

The crowd was stunned for a moment, then understood, and raised their cups, saying, "Master Jie, you are too kind!"

Jie Jinglei, brimming with confidence, laughed heartily and drank a thousand cups with the crowd without changing his expression, impressing everyone in the hall.

Wen Qiongyu, however, had a very low alcohol tolerance, stopping after just a sip. In front of his daughter, Jie Jinglei never lingered on a woman's face for even a moment, but upon seeing her, he couldn't help but frown and tease, "I've heard that Emperor Xuan is exceptionally ambitious, possessing the spirit to swallow the heavens and earth. Miss Wen, representing Emperor Xuan in the capital, how can you drink so carelessly?" Shang Jiuqing's eyes turned cold, and she reached for a cup of wine.

Wen Qiongyu, however, poured herself a small cup first, laughing, "Master, you are mistaken! Scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants are all subjects under the emperor's rule. But do you know if His Majesty's ability in farming, studying, and calculating is the best in the world? If not, how can he lead all the people?"

Jie Jinglei was speechless, realizing his own rudeness. He wanted to laugh it off, but suddenly someone clapped and laughed from the corner:

"Excellent, excellent! Miss Wen is right. Second Uncle should be punished with a cup!" Upon closer inspection, it was Jie Zhao. Jie Jinglei's face darkened, but Jie Ping gently tugged at her father's sleeve. Jie Jinglei, obedient to his daughter, patiently sat down.

Jie Ping came to Jie Zhao's side and saw that he was red-faced and swollen from drinking, his shirt open and drenched in sweat, looking quite ugly. She felt both disgust and pity: "He wasn't like this before. He was quite dashing when he was dressed with a sword and in his clothes. How did he become such a different person?" She ordered the servants to help the Fourth Master back to the courtyard to rest.

Jie Zhao, his eyes still blurry with drunkenness, saw her and waved wildly, shouting, "Why...why are you paying attention to me? Go find your good third brother!" Jie Ping, both angry and embarrassed, still directed her servants with composure and grace, displaying the demeanor of a wealthy heiress.

Jie Jinglei slammed his fist on the table and stood up, but Wen Qiongyu cleverly concealed her face with her sleeve, raised her cup, and said with a smile, "Qiongyu has heard that drinking capacity and courage are similar, both innate and acquired. Master Jie is naturally bold and has a great capacity for drinking, which I, a humble woman, can never match. If Master Jie doesn't mind, please allow Qiongyu to travel north with you tomorrow, and I can learn a thing or two from you along the way." Tiancheng Mountain is north of Zhongjing, and if the two ladies, Wen and Shang, were to return north, they could travel the same route as the Jie family.

Jie Jinglei's expression softened slightly, and he waved his hand, saying, "There's no inconvenience at all, let's do as Miss Wen wishes."

The next morning, everyone was ready and set off. Jie Jinglei left Jie Ping to manage the affairs of Suiping Prefecture, along with his personal "Flying Tiger Eighteen Riders." He only selected thirty men from the five hundred elite cavalry stationed outside the city to accompany him, along with the servants and coachmen serving the Jie family father and son—a total of no more than fifty people, a lightly armed entourage.

Since yesterday, Suiping Prefecture had been permeated with an eerie atmosphere of "change of master." Everyone in the prefecture understood the arrival of a new master and was extremely cautious. Jie Ping was renowned for managing the deployment and preparation of three thousand iron cavalry when she was in Xiangshan. The supplies for the garrisons of the other three major families were also under Jie Jinglei's control, and since Jie Jinglei was not literate, he naturally entrusted these matters to Jie Ping. The prefecture's accountants and treasurers, having long heard of this young lady's formidable abilities, were all trembling with fear, each preparing their books and keys, which were then handed over for inspection by Hou Sheng.

To everyone's surprise, Jie Ping was very friendly, showing no airs of a young lady. She casually flipped through the pages, leaving them on the table without looking at them closely. Instead, she earnestly inquired about her family members and any difficulties they might be facing, which relieved everyone. Only Hou Sheng remained expressionless, showing no emotion whatsoever, as if he didn't care at all.

Before Jie Jinglei and his group set off, Yao Wuyi came to see them off, but Jie Ying was still nowhere to be seen. The old woman overheard that Jie Jinglei had succeeded as the head of the family and that Jie Zhen had taken his three sons to live in seclusion on Tiancheng Mountain. Her expression remained indifferent, as if she wasn't surprised. Jie Zhen said he had caught a slight chill that morning and was hiding in the carriage, so the two hadn't even exchanged a word.

Dao Chuyang and his wife, along with Chang Zaifeng, bid farewell to Jie Jinglei. Chang Zaifeng, carrying his staff bag, came to a corner of the caravan before leaving, clasped his hands in a fist salute, and said, “Brother Jie, I haven’t found the answer to the question of ‘yin-yang balance’ and ‘yin waning and yang waxing.’ I’ve thought about it roughly, and perhaps the balance of the former and the waxing and waning of the latter are not the same thing, just as the weight and length of this carriage cannot be generalized. Although they are both carriages, they refer to different things.”

Inside the carriage, a limp, worm-like figure lay sprawled out, reeking of alcohol—this was Jie Zhao.

Those around him, seeing his disheveled appearance, frowned and moved away. Chang Zaifeng, however, disregarded the filth, bent down, patted the back of his hand, and laughed, “My master is the most intelligent man in the world. This question is so interesting; I think he will surely find some inspiration. If I gain new insights, I will discuss it further with Brother Jie.” He handed him a small, exquisitely crafted, butter gourd, about the size of his palm.

"The Six Yin Meridians cannot be treated with excessive medication. If the medicine is too strong and difficult to control, it is no different from poison. Brother Jie, as long as you keep a cheerful heart and keep the Qi of your five internal organs, six viscera, four limbs and bones flowing gently, the Six Yin Meridians may not be harmful. This bottle of 'Lantian Jade Refining Pills' is a secret medicine made by my sect. Although it cannot detoxify or save lives, it has the miraculous effect of harmonizing Yin and Yang, warming a cold body and cooling a dry body. Even if you eat it like melon seeds or candy, taking too much will not be harmful. I will ask my master for a method to cure the Six Yin Meridians, and then I will come to find you."

Jie Zhao squinted at him for a moment, then suddenly smiled.

"Offering unsolicited favors is either a trick or a theft. I made Brother Chang look bad in public, why do you care about my life or death?"

Chang Zaifeng was taken aback by these words, then burst into laughter. "Brother Jie, just consider me petty. You defeated me in public; if I didn't have a chance to avenge myself, wouldn't I be resentful for life? Does Brother Jie think this reason is acceptable?" Jie Zhao was stunned for a moment, then also burst into laughter: "Yes, yes!"

Amidst their hearty laughter, Chang Zaifeng clasped his hands in a fist salute, picked up his staff and shoulder bag, and vanished without a trace in a moment.

The caravan set off, with Jie Jinglei riding his tall and majestic Benyun Cong at the very front, followed closely by Jie Jun and Jie Zhen, surrounded by iron cavalry, like an iron barrel; then came Jie Zhen's carriage, with Jie Zhao thrown into the luggage compartment, since he was half-drunk and half-awake, almost like cargo; finally came the grand envoy caravan from Jiuyou Hanting.

When Jie Zhao didn't sleep, he was usually so drunk he was completely out of it. In his daze, he realized his wine flask was missing. Just as he was about to get up and grope for it, the side curtain of the carriage was suddenly lifted, the blinding sunlight making it hard for him to open his eyes. A string of clear, silvery laughter drifted in on the breeze: "Drinking like that, are you trying to turn yourself into a mushy, drunken shrimp?"

Thinking it was Yingying returning, he struggled to sit up, enduring his headache, only to see a small, fair, oval face outside the window, radiant and beautiful. A delicate gold pendant swayed gently in the wind. It turned out Wen Qiongyu's carriage was traveling alongside his, the curtain of her carriage lifted, allowing them to communicate.

"What's it to you? You're so nosy!" He glared at her irritably, then turned back to grope for his wine flask.

Wen Qiongyu shook her head and sighed: "Look at you, such a smart person, yet you keep talking nonsense! You've made Miss Yue run away, haven't you?"

Jie Zhao's body trembled, his fingertips froze, and after a long while, he turned his strange eyes with a gleaming light and gritted his teeth: "Mind your own business!" His voice was low and hoarse, like a wounded beast. Wen Qiongyu seemed completely unafraid, her eyes filled with concern as she said solemnly, "Although I know nothing about martial arts, I can see that you are practicing a wondrous art of communication, a technique that allows for the understanding of one's mind and will. The study of the mind is the purest and clearest, allowing no impurities whatsoever. It is precisely because it is difficult to practice that it requires sincerity. Do you know that you are already showing signs of demonic possession? Your face is in disarray, and your five senses are all lost. If this continues, at best, your heart meridian will be damaged, and you will become a mentally challenged cripple; at worst, your mind will be lost, and you will be capable of any beastly act, living in a daze, like a living corpse! Is this what you want?"

If it weren't for her beautiful and delicate appearance, Jie Zhao would almost have thought that an old man from a dream had appeared to him. Hearing her words, he was shocked, and his drunkenness was sobered up by eight or nine parts.

Wen Qiongyu continued, “The path of martial arts is not much different from reading and painting. Besides talent, one must also diligently hone one’s skills. Heaven has been unfair to you, not giving you a good body for martial arts, but also a flawed and damaged mind. You’re not even willing to put in the effort in your heart, so who can you blame?” Her words were reproachful, but her tone was just like an older sister nagging her mischievous younger brother. Even though Jie Zhao was used to being arrogant, he didn’t feel particularly disgusted. He listened calmly and didn’t say anything back for a while.

Wen Qiongyu smiled gently, reaching out through the two windows to smooth his disheveled hair behind his ear, her voice tinged with a hint of reproach: "Such a grown man, still acting like a child! If Miss Yue saw this, I wonder how heartbroken she would be?"

Jie Zhao felt a surge of warmth in his heart, a sudden awkwardness akin to the trepidation of returning home, followed by a sense of bewilderment: "How come this woman is so familiar with me?" To conceal his feelings, he casually pulled down the curtain, feigning madness and tantrums: "Hmph! My reputation is infamous, it's best if you stay away from me!" Outside the curtain, carriages and horses passed by, and a faint sigh drifted over, carrying with it that same helpless tolerance and intimacy.

Jie Zhao leaned back against his trunk, casually picked up a wine flask, paused for a moment, then tossed it out the other window.

He had intended to enter a dream to read scriptures and practice swordsmanship, but Wen Qiongyu's words still echoed in his ears. He thought, "I can't just keep indulging in the fun of dreams, wasting time like this." He silently recited the Cloud Dream Mantra taught by the old man, sat cross-legged against the box, and pondered it deeply. He didn't know how long he had been thinking when suddenly the wind blew the curtains, and he saw low-hanging clouds outside the window, with a pair of eagles circling and howling, sometimes soaring high and sometimes swooping down. He was mesmerized by the sight.

The servants of the Jie family accompanying him couldn't help but shake their heads, revealing sorrow. The master had been exiled to Tiancheng Mountain, and the fourth master, formerly a lecher, had recently become a drunkard; now, he was gazing at the sky, a complete sullen-eyed ghost, staring silently out the carriage window all day, like an idiot.

Just as the old servants of the Jie family were lamenting the blindness of heaven, the caravan completed the first day's journey. 　　The wagons, laden with heavy loads, moved slowly, covering only thirty or forty li a day. Jie Jinglei remained calm and collected, never stopping for food or lodging along the way. At dusk, they would choose a field to set up camp and rest. His elite Flying Tiger cavalry were all skilled in camping and hunting, and for two days in a row, they were well-prepared. When Shang Jiu inquired, Jie Jinglei simply said, "We're pressed on, we can't afford to stop at inns," leaving her with nothing to say.

On 　　the evening of the third day, the caravan arrived at a dilapidated mountain temple. This place was far from the main road, and although the road itself wasn't difficult to travel, it became hard to discern at night, making it exceptionally secluded. 　　The attendants arranged the carriages in a fan shape in front of the dilapidated temple. The Flying Tiger Cavalry and the Cold Court Iron Guards set up their tents outside the carriages, clearing the temple to serve as a resting place for Jie Jinglei and the others. A bonfire was lit inside the temple, and after everyone had eaten dinner, they sat around the fire. Wen and Shang sat together, Jie Jinglei sat alone, Jie Zhen and Jie Jun sat with their father and servants, while Jie Zhao huddled alone in a corner, staring blankly at the flickering flames. 　　Therefore, he was the first to notice something was wrong. 　　Jie Zhen and Jie Jun were arguing again over a trivial matter. Jie Jun flicked his cloak and turned to leave, but he staggered a few steps, turned around, and fell to the ground. Jie Zhao initially thought he had drunk too much, but Jie Jun had a high tolerance for alcohol and there was no way he would be drunk. He looked around and realized that everyone was too weak to get up, looking at each other blankly. The flames reflected the shadows of their suspicious and fearful faces, but there was an uncontrollable glint in their eyes. 　　This was not the first time Jie Zhao had encountered this kind of drug. 　　Jie Jinglei tried several times to circulate his internal energy, but to no avail. He said in a deep voice, "Someone has put a sleeping potion on me!" Wen Qiongyu, having no internal energy left, was already limp and unable to move in Shang Jiuqing's arms. She squinted her beautiful eyes, frowned, and shook her head, seemingly in great distress. Shang Jiuqing kept his eyes and nose focused, not daring to speak, as if trying to expel the drug's aroma through his internal energy. 　　The windows on all four walls were drafty, so the sleeping potion was definitely not introduced by blowing smoke; it was obvious that the food and water had been poisoned. 　　"This... what kind of drug is this! It's... so powerful!" Jie Jun struggled a few times, but it was all in vain. Jie 　　Zhao was almost certain who the culprit was. He swept away his dejection and stared fiercely at Jie Jun, sneering, "You bastard, you really know how to act! That 'Five Luo Light Smoke Powder' killed me back then, and today you're using the same trick again!" Jie Jun's fiery eyes narrowed, and he coldly returned the gaze, as if Jie Jun had uttered some absurd and pointless words again. 　　Suddenly, a burst of laughter erupted outside the temple: "Fourth Master, what a keen nose! He sniffs the sweetness of flowers and immediately sets off! Truly a master of seeking out beauty!" Entering the temple were two figures, one tall and one thin, both dressed in elegant Confucian robes, yet embroidered with crude and vulgar gold thread patterns. The tall one was muscular and taut, the thin one withered and emaciated, and both possessed only one right hand. They were none other than "Fleeting White Horse" Sikong Du and "Monkey in Crown" Ping Baiyi, two members of the Six Beasts of Evil Fire! 　　Sikong Du surveyed the temple, his gaze catching the two beauties, Wen and Shang, and he couldn't help but click his tongue in amazement: "Fourth Master, how come every time I see you, you're always accompanied by these charming young women?" Jie Zhao's scalp tingled, but he didn't mince words: "You useless things! I left you a few fingers to eat and defecate, not for you to gossip and make a fool of yourselves!" 　　He had severely injured "A Multitude of Books" Gu Buhua, crippling him, and killed "Fenghe Violent Tiger" He Yanyong, thus forging a bond with the two beasts. With a deep-seated hatred, Sikong Du chuckled, his eyes filled with venomous resentment. "We brothers all remember Fourth Master's kindness, that's why we came here today." 　　Jie Zhao rambled on, trying to stall for time, forcing a smile. "Sikong Du, you still have the guts to come here! Don't you even know where you are?" Sikong Du gritted his teeth and laughed viciously. "I've looked at this place thousands and hundreds of times. The plaque here says 'Shangqing Daocheng,' not Huangting Guan! Do you think that old monster will come to save you?"

Jie Zhao was startled by this: "So, every time I dream of you, senior, it's in the Huangting Temple!?" He turned and glared at Jie Jun: "You sent your accomplices to hunt me down, and today you sent them to poison me! Jie Jun, what exactly do you want?" Jie Jun frowned: "Are you out of your mind? I don't know these guys, and I've never sent anyone to assassinate you! Is it worth it for someone like you?"

Jie Zhao was both ashamed and angry, and was about to retort when he suddenly heard someone say from the other side: "It's not easy for you to carry this burden for so long, Second Brother. I can testify for you that Mr. Sikong and the others are indeed not your people, they are my people." He looked up and smiled; it was Jie Zhen.

He stood up casually, looking relaxed and at ease. Suddenly, he moved his fingers like the wind, sealing twelve major acupoints around Jie Zhen's body. Then he clapped his hands and laughed: "Father, don't be angry. I've always been wary that the number one of the Six Absolutes still has a trick up his sleeve. If I can't subdue you myself, I really can't rest easy." Jie Zhen's face was expressionless, and he didn't speak.

Although the game meat served for dinner was hunted and roasted by the Flying Tiger Cavalry, the servants of the Jie Mansion who served everyone were commanded and coordinated by Jie Zhen. From this, it can be inferred that the "Five Luo Light Smoke Powder" was administered by him, and Sikong Du and the others were merely providing support from the outside.

Sikong Du and Ping Baiyi's lightness skills were superb, and they arrived silently, without the Flying Tiger Cavalry and Han Ting Iron Guards guarding outside the temple not even noticing.

Jie Jinglei had been on guard for the past few days, suspecting that Jie Zhen might be hiding a trick, but he was only feigning weakness. However, respecting his status, and having won a decisive victory in the struggle for family headship, he was determined not to impose any further restrictions on Jie Zhen. Seeing Jie Zhen use a double restraint of drugging and sealing acupoints, he was surprised but also relieved. After a moment's thought, he said in a deep voice, "Zhen'er, you are being too cautious. To guard against him having a trick up his sleeve, there's no need to drug everyone. Quickly get the antidote for Miss Wen and Miss Shang, lest it damage the harmony between the two families."

Jie Zhen smiled and said, "Second Uncle is joking. Lord Shang's 'Iron Barrier Connecting Heaven' and your 'Great Battle Sword' are both unparalleled in the martial arts world, nephew..." "My son finally succeeded, how can you easily hand over the antidote and let the tiger return to the mountain?"

Jie Jinglei's prediction was correct. He glanced coldly and said sternly, "This is an act of insubordination and rebellion! If this gets out in the martial world, will you still want to be a human being?"

Jie Zhen clapped his hands and laughed, "Second Uncle is wrong! Jie Zhen is the master of Zhaori Manor and Suiping Prefecture. Second Uncle now possesses the 'Red Sun Talisman' and intends to command the four families and dominate the martial world. This is precisely because of your insubordination back then! Second Uncle has set a good example. I am just following the example of the virtuous. How can I not be a human being?" Jie Jinglei was stunned when he heard this. His iron face suddenly darkened and was covered with a layer of pale blue, like the green of copper.

Jie Zhao was terrified. Recalling the days of Sikong Du's pursuit and the four-line poem on the fan, he slowly pieced together the events, his voice hoarse as he said, "Third Brother... so you were the one who plotted against me?"

Jie Zhen laughed, "Yes! I'm so sorry to have wronged you, Fourth Brother. To disrupt the old ghost's plans, I had no choice but to target you. The old ghost never expected me to use you as a scapegoat, which is why he obediently took the bait. Over the past three years, I've devised countless schemes, all of which the old ghost has seen through. This time, I owe you a great debt; I haven't even had a chance to thank you yet!" Jie

Zhao's mind went blank, and he felt dizzy, almost fainting.

"So... you also killed Zheng Ya in Jin Chun Courtyard?"

Jie Zhen put his hands behind his back, smiling without speaking, the answer self-evident.

"Sister... was sister the one who conspired with you?"

Jie Zhao opened his mouth only to find his voice hoarse, tinged with tears.

"That girl is clever and mischievous, but I never expected her to be so devoted to you. After her scheme succeeded, she was determined to send you back to the Ministry of Justice prison. If it weren't for Old Ghost setting up a fake bead back at Jin Chun Courtyard in time, she would have succeeded."

Jie Zhen smiled at him, his tone relaxed, but his eyes held an unspeakable ruthlessness and resentment. Jie Zhao felt a chill run down his spine from his glare, his heart turning icy cold: it was a gaze mixed with jealousy, covetousness, and a powerful possessiveness, the kind of gaze only seen in the eyes of male beasts vying for females, suppressed for years, now a nightmare.

Jie Zhao trembled violently, the fear and shock uncontrollable, destroying the last small corner of his heart where he could find refuge. He was speechless for a long time, his fist clenched and his voice trembling as he said, "Why...why?

Third Brother, Father, Second Uncle...they all consider you the future heir of the Jie family. No matter who's in charge, this position will be yours sooner or later. Why did you do these things?"

Jie Zhen's eyebrows twitched, his handsome face twisted into a ferocious grin, and he suddenly laughed cruelly, "Only a muddle-headed, useless fool like you can't see through Old Ghost's schemes! Your sister is so clever, she already knew everything. Even Second Brother, that crude and stupid ox, saw it. Only you are so oblivious, completely unaware!"

He saw Jie Zhaoshen His expression was blank. Pointing to Jie Zhen in the corner, he said bitterly, "From childhood to adulthood, he outwardly trusted me completely, entrusting me with money and important responsibilities, but in reality, he was always wary of me and hindered me at every turn! Jie Jun and I went to Tiancheng Mountain together. He studied for three whole years, but I was summoned back in less than a year. If it weren't for Master Yuan Chang's compassion and his coming to the capital to teach me martial arts, how could I have the foundation I have today? The emperor summoned us, praising my literary and martial skills, and granting my brothers hereditary military positions, but that old ghost recommended Jie Jun for the position of Deputy Commandant of Zhaowu! And back in Yunyang..." He casually listed twenty or thirty things, his eyes growing increasingly resentful.

"...From beginning to end, the only successor in his heart was Jie Jun!"

Jie Zhao thought about it carefully and realized that they were indeed unreasonable decisions. However, in the past, Jie Zhen was often praised by his father, and he was lauded to the skies in front of everyone, so he didn't feel any suspicion or manipulation. Now, however, he suddenly understood.

He felt the world peeling away piece by piece, as if everything had changed. Turning his head, he saw his father sitting with his head down, his expression cold, offering no rebuttal or denial. His heart turned cold, and he trembled as he said, "Third Brother! What... what is this all for? We... we are all Father's flesh and blood, yet... what is this struggle all for?"

Jie Zhen stared at him for a moment, then suddenly revealed a hint of pity.

"I should have killed you with one sword, before today. That way, you wouldn't have had to hear such a shameful truth until your death, and you could have only believed what you believed, and died cleanly." He sighed, his sinister smile intensifying again: "What for? Such a simple truth, and you still can't understand it? Because among the four of us siblings, only Jie Jun can barely be considered a member of the Jie family!"

"What?"

Jie Zhao was dumbfounded, unable to react for a moment.

Jie Zhen sneered: "The 'Great Sun Divine Skill' of Zhaori Manor is rumored to be divine and profound, but it is actually a demonic book that harms people and destroys families! After ordinary people reach the second level, they can hardly make any progress due to the excessive yang energy in their bodies. Without an extremely yin object to guide and harmonize their breath, continuing to practice will lead to irreparable consequences. As the saying goes, 'things reach their extreme and then reverse,' forcing oneself to practice the third level will cause the yang energy to reverse, and one will lose the basis for being a man!"

Not only Jie Zhao, but everyone present except for the brothers Jie Zhen and Jie Jinglei showed a look of astonishment.

Jie Zhao stammered, "You...you're talking nonsense!"

Jie Zhen sneered and said contemptuously, "If you don't believe me, just pull down Old Ghost's pants and you'll see! See if he's like that old eunuch Yao Wuyi, his penis withered and he's become an old monster who's neither male nor female!" Jie Junhuo's eyebrows furrowed in anger, and he roared, "You dare! Third brother, don't go too far!"

Jie Zhen kept sneering and turned to say, "Second Uncle, you and Old Ghost are different. When he was young, he was lecherous and depraved, harming countless women; since Second Aunt died, Second Uncle has never been involved with women again. It's true that Second Uncle is deeply affectionate and can't tolerate anyone else in his heart, but Second Uncle forcefully practiced the third level of the Great Sun Divine Skill. Although he pulled back from the brink, he has already suffered damage to his body from the skill, and since then, his interest in matters of men and women has faded. I wonder if what I'm saying is true?" Jie Jinglei snorted but did not deny it.

In fact, the Great Sun Divine Art's erosion of a man's yang energy is gradual. First, sexual desire weakens, then semen becomes thin and watery, making conception impossible, and finally, the penis withers. Only by forcibly breaking through without the aid of a yin substance will the ability to achieve an erection be directly lost. When Jie Jinglei attempted to break through the third level, he sensed something was wrong and stopped in time. His masculine vigor remained, but he had no desire for intercourse with women. He was preoccupied with missing his deceased wife and raising his daughter, so he didn't mind.

Seeing Jie Zhao's stunned and pained expression, Jie Zhen felt a strange sense of pleasure and continued, "Old Ghost had already reached the fourth level before he was thirty. Since the existence of the martial arts manual 'Great Sun Divine Skill,' it was an unprecedented and magnificent realm! But because of this, he was unable to have children. That's why his confidantes turned against him and why he took many concubines to cover his tracks."

"Besides Jie Sheng, you, me, Jie Jun, and even my sister are not his biological children! That's why Old Ghost would rather pass the position to Jie Jun than hand over Zhao Ri Manor to an outsider like me!" Jie

Zhao felt dizzy and, barely managing to calm himself, hissed, "Your words are contradictory and full of flaws!

If the third level is so difficult to break through, how could Father have reached the sixth level? Isn't that right, Father?" He cast a pleading glance at Jie Zhen, hoping his father would say something to refute him, even if it was just insults, but Jie Zhen remained expressionless and refused to say a word.

Jie Zhen sneered, "What's so difficult about that? As long as you get your hands on the precious Xuan Yin that harmonizes Yang energy, you can break through realms and reach the upper levels as easily as a flat plain with sails billowing in the wind! The virginal Yuan Yin of Gu Yuhan, the 'Night Queen' Xiao Yupo's extreme Yin internal force, and the Yin Female Pearl that disappeared in Xiangshan eighteen years ago... Hehe, which one isn't another realm?"

Jie Zhao was stunned and speechless. After a long while, he shook his head and said, "I... I don't believe it... You're slandering me!"

Jie Zhen pressed forward step by step, his momentum overwhelming.

"How do you think your elder brother Jie Sheng died? This old ghost, in order to cover his tracks, actually taught his own son to practice the Great Sun Divine Skill, but didn't tell him the key to replenishing Yang with Yin. My elder brother wanted to share his burdens and secretly practiced to the third level himself. Unfortunately, his Yang energy suddenly withered, and he committed suicide out of shame and indignation! The old ghost was afraid that we would discover the secret, so he didn't pass on the Great Sun Skill to the three of us." As he spoke, he gritted his teeth, a hint of sadness faintly appearing on his face.

Jie Zhao thought to himself, "He still had some backbone after all. My elder brother loved us so much, I never imagined he would die like this!"

All eyes turned to him, and Jie Zhen moved and raised his head. The name "Jie Sheng" was like a pebble, finally causing ripples on the stagnant lake of his heart. He looked desolate, his eyes weary and sorrowful, as if he had been tormented.

Just as he was about to speak, he heard Jie Jinglei from the other side of the campfire, his head bowed, and say in a deep voice, "Back then, A-Jing suffered from blood heat during her pregnancy and desperately needed a yin-nourishing substance to balance it and save the child. I risked my life for this, leading the charge to Xiangshan Miwu Palace, sustaining countless wounds. Yet you tell me the pearl has been lost, and although A-Ping gave birth safely, A-Jing died in childbirth. She respected and loved you, treating you like her own elder brother. How could you... how could you be so heartless?"

Jie Zhen's expression darkened, and he said in a low voice, "I have wronged you all."

Jie Jinglei threw his head back and laughed loudly, his voice like a wail, shaking the rafters and causing dust to fall. Everyone covered their ears. Jie Zhen and Sikong Du exchanged a glance, both their expressions changing; then they saw Jie Jinglei suddenly stand up, kicking the fireflies and scattering sparks, the tiny fireflies swirling without wind, making the entire temple seem as if a bright red blizzard had swept through!

"Jie Zhen! Today, I will make you pay for A Jing's life!"

Ping Baiyi cried out in shock, "You...you're not poisoned!"

"Just because of 'Five Luo Light Smoke Powder'?" Jie Jinglei's eyes blazed with fury. He strode forward amidst the starry sky, his cloak billowing with oppressive wind pressure, forcing Jie Zhen to turn pale and involuntarily take a half-step back: "You're not worthy to compete for the position of family head!"

Jie Zhen regained his composure, his boots clattering as he flashed behind Sikong Du.

Jie Jinglei's eyes flashed with lightning and fire. He took a step forward, and the scattered sparks of fire in the room, like snowflakes in the wind, suddenly swept towards Jie Zhen, Sikong Du, and the other two. The strong wind howled, burning their faces! Sikong Du waved his sleeve to shield his face, only to hear a hissing sound. Countless small holes were burned through the wide sleeves of his Confucian robe, scattering in the wind, and a faint smoky scent filled the air.

Ping Baiyi screamed, somersaulting backward, his only remaining right hand clutching the thin, horse-faced man, blood seeping from between his fingers, emitting scorching smoke like burning flesh. Sikong Du brushed aside the sparks, his charred, tattered sleeve flashing as he opened his eyes and laughed cruelly: "The grievances have their source, the debts have their debtors. Why doesn't Second Master Jie settle accounts with old man Jie Zhen, but instead comes to harass my brother? Have you misjudged the situation?"

Jie Jinglei coldly snorted: "Disloyal and unfilial, the first to deserve death! Whoever protects this brat Jie Zhen is guilty of the same crime!

You 'Six Evil Fire Beasts' have done too many evil deeds, don't you have any awareness of your own death?" He gripped the tiger-headed sword on his shoulder, suddenly feeling a gust of wind behind him, coming without a sound!

He was a veteran of countless battles, and in his haste, without turning around, he gripped the tiger-claw hilt of the sword with one hand and thrust it forward, the broad, heavy scabbard flying off at an angle with a dull thud, striking the attacker!

Jie Jinglei possessed immense natural strength; even without using internal energy, this strike, weighing over a hundred jin, would have been enough to shatter stone tablets. Yet, upon impacting the attacker, he made no sound whatsoever. He only heard a sinister laugh beside his ear, and a strange, icy, sticky sensation wrapped around his broadsword, tracing its length from the tiger-head hilt to his hand. Jie Jinglei's right hand seemed to be tightly bound by a cold, sticky substance, preventing him from

drawing his sword. Jie Jinglei felt a chill run down his spine and was about to unleash his power when the mud bricks beneath his feet suddenly caved in, and a pair of giant hands burst from the ground, firmly grasping his feet. A dark shadow suddenly pounced into the temple gate, moving so fast that its form was obscured, only a sharp glint of light visible within the shadow, appearing before Jie Jinglei in the blink of an eye!

In the nick of time, Jie Jinglei opened his eyes and roared, his left hand gripping the leather strap binding his sword and pulling forward, forming a straight punch. His arms were far thicker and longer than an average person's, and he managed to strike the shadowy figure before it could close in, sending it tumbling backward. The shadowy figure's blade only managed to glide past his left side, failing to even tear his clothes.

Jie Jinglei snapped the leather rope and swung the tiger-headed sword, scabbard and all, in front of him, striking the man lying in ambush on the head! The man instantly burrowed into the ground, then burst forth from the earth two zhang away; the strange man bound by the sword, however, seized the opportunity to snap the leather rope, sliding away without touching the ground, sword in hand.

The three men's ambush had failed, but they had managed to seize Jie Jinglei's sword, though they hadn't even scratched his skin, which was somewhat surprising. The situation changed again, and neither side wanted to be greedy and act rashly, carefully observing their opponents and making their own calculations.

Jie Jinglei looked up and saw that the three uninvited guests were dressed in the same style of Confucian robes and square scarves as Sikong Du and the others. The one carrying the tiger-headed sword had long, thin hair and a strange bluish aura emanating from his skin, making him look like a lush green bamboo. His eyes, however, glowed with a yellow light behind his disheveled hair. He would occasionally lick his lips, revealing a thin, grayish-white tip that seemed slightly forked.

The giant hand-shaped monster that had emerged from the ground was short and fat, resembling a huge ball of flesh. His neck was thicker than his face, and his eyes were sunken and lifeless, as if they were marked with a pair of palm-sized dark circles. The third person was short and wiry, with a wary look in his eyes. He crossed his arms over his chest, and a small part of a sharp dagger tip protruded from under his armpits.

"Let me introduce you to Master Jie. These two are Luo Bishi, 'Seeking a Fox in a Hair Salon,' and Ying Dumu, 'Peeping at a Leopard Through a Tube'..." Sikong Du smiled warmly, casually gesturing to the fat man and the burly man with his arms crossed, then tilted his chin to the side: "...As for this brother Mo Youjie, who stole Master Jie's sword, his bandit name is 'Feigning Compliance.' These three are all brothers of my 'Six Beasts of Evil Fire.' They have long admired Master Jie's reputation and have come here specifically to...hehe! To get to know him better." The thin man with a blue face and yellow eyes, Mo Youjie, hissed and laughed strangely, his forked gray tongue suddenly licking the corner of his mouth again, his gaze sending chills down one's spine.

Jie Zhao was taken aback: "More nonsensical idioms and nicknames! Strange, the other three of the Six Beasts are clearly 'Feng He Bao Hu' He Yan Yong, 'Chong Dong Han Niu' Gu Bu Hua, and that lecherous rat Xia Wu Guang who was killed by Ying Ying. When did these other types of people appear? If they've recently recruited new members, the speed is a bit too fast."

After his initial shock, he gradually regained his usual sharp mind. He noticed that the three were strangely shaped, with a hint of beastly features, and they shared a similar sense of incongruity with He Yan Yong and Gu Bu Hua, but he couldn't quite put his finger on what was amiss.

Jie Jing Lei remained expressionless, his astonishment probably even greater than Jie Zhao's.

The "Six Evil Fire Beasts" have roamed Dongsheng Prefecture for many years. Originating from the Eastern Holy Sect, they belong to the "Purple Cloud Dragon" branch of the Five Demonic Sects. Recently, their activities have shifted westward into Zhongchen Prefecture. The Jie family has been monitoring them for a long time, thoroughly investigating the appearances and names of the six beasts, yet they have never heard of anyone like Luo Bishi ("Seeking a Fox in a Hair Salon") or Ying Dumu ("Peeping at a Leopard Through a Tube"). However, Mo Youjie and his two companions are quite skilled, unlike newcomers, indicating a significant gap in the intelligence network of Zhaori Manor. It seems there are other experts within the "Purple Cloud Dragon" group; after losing three beasts, they have replaced them with three more.

Jie Jinglei coldly snorted and glared at her, saying, "To slay demons and eliminate evil, the sword will naturally come forth! Do you think you can escape?" The temple had been noisy for a long time, but no Flying Tiger Cavalry or Cold Court Iron Guards came upon hearing the commotion. He knew something was wrong, but then he heard Sikong Du laugh and say, "Second Master Jie has such a great reputation, no wonder he has such a big tone. I wonder if the news of Second Master's sword being stolen today will cause an even bigger sensation in the martial world?"

Jie Jinglei's face turned ashen, and he coldly snorted without replying. Sikong Du, his hands tucked into his sleeves, stepped forward and bowed, his face fawning. "Second Master, please don't be angry. I have a suggestion. If you are willing to part with it, we can exchange it for something else. We brothers will also keep our mouths shut and will definitely not gossip on the streets, needlessly ruining your reputation. What do you think, Second Master?"

Jie Jinglei guessed that if Sikong Du's demands weren't for Jie Zhen and his son, they must be for the beauty of Wen and Shang. He sneered and glared. Seeing Sikong Du getting closer and closer, already three or five steps away from Qing She Mo Youjie, Hei Bao Ying Dumu, and the others, it seemed he was really going to step forward. Those who came to negotiate, who had already been on high alert with all their might, were now surprised. After a slight hesitation, they said in a deep voice, "What do you want? Just say it!"

Sikong Du approached him and whispered in his ear with a smile, "Second Master's sword must be priceless. How can it be exchanged for something so common? I heard that your daughter is young, intelligent and beautiful. If we could strip her naked and let us brothers have our way with her, it would be worth this fine sword!"

Jie Jinglei's tiger eyes widened in shock: "Insolence!" Before he knew it, Sikong Du flicked his sleeves, scattering a misty white haze, and suddenly leaped back! Jie Jinglei, confident in his inner strength, did not dodge. Instead, he held his breath and stepped forward, his palms instantly blocking all of Sikong Du's escape routes. Sikong Du had nowhere to dodge and quickly exchanged more than ten blows with him. The white mist crackled and popped, like meat being struck by a bell, a sound that was terrifying to the ear and heart.

With a sudden, muffled shout, the two men's palms collided, and Sikong Du was blasted backward, staggering a couple of steps as he landed. His sleeves burst open, revealing his arms, both swollen to twice their normal size, their skin purple and swollen, covered in whip-like bruises. He gritted his teeth, enduring the pain, but a sinister smile crept onto his lips. Between the index and middle fingers of his right hand, swollen like a drumstick, lay a gleaming blue needle, clearly poisoned.

Seeing that Jie Jinglei feigned weakness before launching a sneak attack, using the same methods as on Ziyun Mountain, Jie Zhao already knew what was going on. He hadn't expected that Jie Jinglei's poisoning and change of tactics were all a ruse, designed to lure Jie Jinglei into a fight so he could poison him. Enraged, Jie Zhao shouted, "You... you despicable villain!"

Sikong Du accepted the attack with a smile, a smug look on his face. He shook his head, clicking his tongue, "Fourth Master is too busy taking care of himself to worry about others. After I deal with your second uncle, I'll deal with you properly." His eyes suddenly turned cold, and he turned back, hissing, "Let's get to it, lest things get complicated!" Mo Youjie, Ying Dumu, Luo Bishi, and the others brandished their weapons and rushed towards Jie Jinglei in the white mist!

The "Blood-Splitting Blue" he fed the needle was a deadly poison, and when mixed with the scattered white powder "Fragrant Cloud Smoke," its toxicity was even more potent. Even if Jie Jinglei's palm was pierced and his throat was suffocated by internal force, the pain would inevitably cause a temporary relaxation of his breath. If he inhaled even a tiny bit of the blue-white mixture, he would immediately bleed from all seven orifices. Mo, Ying, and the other two, with the antidote in their mouths, suddenly used a sinister attack, clearly intending to kill him outright. Jie

Zhao, watching anxiously, looked up and cried out, "Third...Second Uncle has always doted on you, how could he be so cruel? Ah...Ah Ping, what will we do?" He was used to calling him that, and his lips still uttered "Third Brother," but suddenly, a lump formed in his throat. Jie Zhen gave him a cold glance, his thin lips pursed, and his smile was utterly contemptuous.

Sikong Du laughed loudly, "Fourth Master Jie! Martial arts battles are a matter of life and death. Do you think this is child's play? This…"

Before he could finish speaking, a flash of cold light appeared before his eyes, the white mist parted abruptly,

and the black leopard Ying Dumu, who had leaped forward, maintained his momentum, but with a twist of his neck, left his head on the ground. Fat Leopard Luo Bishi flung his paws, sinking into the ground. A tall, burly figure emerged from the white mist, his iron boots stomping into the pit. Fat Luo creaked and was immobilized. The newcomer moved swiftly, a streak of white light flashing across the ground, blood gushing from the pit, and then silence.

The green snake, Mo Youjie, was terrified and tried to retreat, but suddenly Jie Jinglei let out a long laugh. The gradually dissipating "fragrant cloud mist" suddenly swirled towards Mo Youjie like a snowstorm. The poisonous mist was so dense and fast that even with the antidote in his mouth, he couldn't help but feel dizzy. In the blink of an eye, Jie Jinglei's palms struck his chest, causing his body to shudder, his ribs to cave in, and a point of blue light to burst out of his body. He died without even uttering a sound.

Sikong Du's face was ashen. He endured the pain and caught the blue light in his hand. Ignoring the blood, he carefully put it in his pocket, caring for it more than if his brother had died suddenly. Jie Zhao was quite close to him and could vaguely see that it was a dark blue bead the size of a longan seed. It seemed familiar, and he couldn't help but wonder: "Strange! This bead... why does it look so familiar?"

In an instant, three people were killed. Jie Jinglei dispersed the white mist and strode out, without any trace of powder on his lips or nose. Sikong Du gasped, forcing a smile, "Second Master is renowned throughout the martial world for his 'Great Battle Sword Technique,' his swordsmanship is superb, but who would have thought he'd even cultivated his internal energy to the level of 'turtle breathing'? My three brothers' defeat is well-deserved, I admire you!"

Jie Jinglei clenched his palm, and a small drop of ink-stained blood oozed from the center of his left palm, winding down along the palm lines. In the blink of an eye, the thin bloodline turned from black to red, without a trace of poison.

"With your meager medical skills, you can't even bring down Jie." Seeing the horror on Sikong Du's face, he couldn't help but sneer:

"Who told you that the 'Great Battle Sword Technique' is a sword technique? What I learned from Ancestor Huangting is an internal energy cultivation method that transforms qi into swords!" He raised his palm and swung it down, with a soft "swoosh," another sharp sword mark, half an inch deep, appeared on the ground, as if it had been carved.

Jie Zhen's expression changed drastically. He thought to himself, "My second uncle's skill has reached the level of 'empty-handed swordsmanship,' which is already at the level of the Six Absolutes. It's no wonder he's been subservient to that old man Jie Zhen for so many years. Why isn't that person here yet?" Sikong Du, unaware of his thoughts, saw the situation was turning bad. His yellowish, narrow eyes subtly scanned the surroundings, quickly looking for an opportunity to escape. Ping Baiyi, however, couldn't withstand Jie Jinglei's imposing aura. His body trembled slightly, and he suddenly cried out, turning and running away.

Jie Jinglei sneered without speaking. Suddenly, he heard the clanging sound of weapons being drawn outside the dilapidated temple. Ping Baiyi leaped back and saw Sikong Du's cold gaze. He lowered his head in shame and said, "Boss... Boss! It's bad! Those brats outside have all woken up!" More than ten Flying Tiger elite riders entered with swords drawn. Seeing Jie Jinglei give a signal, they surrounded Jie Zhen and the other two.

The leading cavalry captain reversed the hilt of his sword, and Chong Jie Jing Lei bowed deeply: "Reporting to the lord, these evil men used some unknown method to drug all the brothers and the Han Ting people, and they are only now gradually regaining consciousness. We are late in responding, please forgive us!" Forty-eight Han Ting Iron Guards plus thirty Flying Tiger Riders were a considerable number, and Sikong Du and the others could not easily add enough to their food. Therefore, the "Five Luo Clear Smoke Powder" taken by those outside the temple was actually less, and after circulating their blood for a while, they gradually regained consciousness. The captain led several of his men, whose Yuan energy had recovered, to arrive, just in time to intercept Ping Baiyi; Ping Baiyi could not withstand the sword formation with one hand and had no choice but to obediently return to his cage. In

this swift and decisive move, Jie Zhen's side was immediately plunged into a desperate situation. Jie Jing Lei sneered and stretched out his right hand.

"Give it to me!"

"What belongs to Second Master should be returned." Sikong Du smiled obsequiously as he held up the Tiger Claw Sword, but his body remained motionless.

Jie Jinglei snorted heavily, his voice cold and angry: "If you want this sword, I'll kill you! Don't play dumb with me! Quickly hand over the antidote for 'Five Luo Clear Smoke Powder'!" His phoenix eyes narrowed slightly, looking at Wen Qiongyu, who was curled up in Shang Jiuqing's arms.

Wen Qiongyu was frail. "Five Luo Clear Smoke Powder" was just a slightly stronger sleeping potion for ordinary people, definitely not enough to kill them, but it was completely useless against her. Her small, delicate face was already pale and slightly translucent, with glistening beads of sweat on her forehead. It was remarkable that even on her deathbed, she was still as beautiful as a porcelain doll.

If the Xuan Emperor's special envoy died under the escort of Zhaori Manor, given Yuwen Xiaoxiao's vindictive nature, no matter who the murderer was, this matter would be difficult to resolve peacefully. Moreover, this woman surnamed Wen is so beautiful that even the lord of Shangjia Fort, who is renowned throughout the Northern Region, treats her with utmost respect. It's hard to say she might not be the new favorite of the Xuan Emperor. We absolutely cannot let her die here—Jie Jinglei considered countless thoughts, stepped forward, and said in a deep voice, "Sikong Du! My right palm is raised to the sky only to retrieve the medicine; when it falls to the ground, I intend to kill. I have no qualms about searching your corpse for the medicine. If I find nothing, I will give your head to the Xuan Emperor. Remember this: I never wait!" As he spoke, he slowly turned his palm over, his robes suddenly billowing, crackling with energy!

Sikong Du's expression changed slightly. He quickly pulled a small, glass-colored pill from his robes and tossed it over. "There's only one antidote, just in case. This medicine isn't usually fatal, and its effects wear off over time, so it's not needed normally."

Jie Jinglei thought, "It's good that only she takes the medicine. It's more convenient for the others to be affected by the medicine's effects." He ordered someone to give Wen Qiongyu the antidote, and her complexion gradually regained its rosy hue. Although her body was suffering, her mind remained clear. After catching her breath, she slightly pursed her lips and nodded softly, saying, "Thank you... thank you, Master Jie." She seemed to want to move and raise her arm, but unfortunately, her strength hadn't recovered, and she was probably even weaker than the others.

Jie Jinglei looked up at Jie Zhenmu's expressionless, handsome face. He wanted to kill him with a single sword stroke, but feared his daughter's disapproval. Remembering his years of fervent hopes for him, only to have it all end like this, he was filled with anger, hatred, and desolation. He said in a deep voice, "You have truly disappointed me. I have always treated you like my own son, never expecting your ambition to be so great. To achieve your goals, you have not hesitated to collude with the bandits of the Demonic Sect, plotting and scheming, indiscriminately killing innocents. If A-Ping knew, how heartbroken and disappointed she would be?"

Jie Zhenmu smiled slightly, and... He didn't answer for a moment, then whispered, "So I absolutely won't tell A-Ping about what happened today, Second Uncle, don't worry."

Jie Jinglei thought his plot had been exposed and was so disheartened that he was incoherent. But then he realized something was off about his words and was about to reprimand him when suddenly there was a commotion outside the temple. The firelight shining through the tents flickered violently, and figures moved about. He could vaguely hear shouts: "There are people ahead!" "Quick, go and see!" Then came the sound of a large group of people rushing through the woods, and then suddenly silence.

People came and went, but no one returned for a long time. There were no sounds of swords or fighting, only the howling wind.

Jie Jinglei gave a signal, and the cavalry captain bowed with his sword clasped, then led five or six men down the high steps of the temple gate. Suddenly, they heard a strange "crackling" sound outside, like the scraping of iron chains. The figures of the five or six men disappeared into the camp surrounded by the covered wagons, with only a few brief shouts: "You!" "This is..." "Quick..." before silence fell in the blink of an eye.

The campfire flickered, the wind died down, and the "crackling" sound of iron chains retracting suddenly became clear, as if it were about to pass through the camp.

The forty-eight Hanting Iron Guards and thirty Flying Tiger Elite Cavalry in the camp were all silent, clearly in grave danger. Jie Jinglei's heart tightened, his phoenix eyes flashing with a sharp light as he sneered at Jie Zhen: "So you've found help, no wonder you're so calm. I want to see what kind of three-headed, six-armed character has come!" Jie Zhen smiled slightly, but his eyes were fixed on the outside of the temple gate, as if he also wanted to see what the newcomers looked like.

Jie Jinglei thought, "Strange! Could it not be that little beast's reinforcements?" He looked closely and saw a man, hunched over, slowly approaching, gradually reaching the firelight at the doorway. Before he could make out the man's features, all eyes were drawn to the object on his back.

It was a huge bronze box, shaped like a musical instrument case, bound to the man's body with a thick, tanned leather strap. The box was covered with ancient, intricate animal patterns, and the lid was cast in the shape of a ferocious beast's mouth. From the beast's throat stretched a thick, gleaming bronze chain, its end forged into an iron ring, tightly held in the man's hand. The strange cracking sound they had just heard might have come from this chain.

The newcomer seemed unable to straighten up under the weight of the massive box, dragging his feet and bowing his head as he entered. He stopped as soon as he crossed the high temple threshold. No one paid any attention to this hunchbacked, uninvited guest. The firelight illuminated the bronze box, drawing everyone's attention involuntarily, and a moment of silence fell.

The bronze box was simple in design, though it was said to be an antique, its sharp lines at both ends exuding a murderous aura. On each side were engraved four fist-sized seal characters: the left read "Six Heavens Ghosts," and the right read "Ten Thousand Demons True Body." These eight characters, like fangs and swords, conveyed an indescribable sinister and deadly atmosphere. As soon as the box entered the temple, a chilling wind swept through the previously warm room heated by the bonfire. The flickering flames caused everyone to shiver, even Shang Jiuqing, who had long practiced the Profound Yin Technique and hailed from the far north snowy region.

Even a master of the Six Absolutes level could not kill seventy-eight well-trained fighters in an instant, unless the box contained some kind of ghostly monster that mortals could not withstand. Shang Jiu gazed at the ferocious beast head on the box, seemingly having the illusion that "it will hatch at any moment," and couldn't help but murmur softly, "Miss... what is this?"

Wen Qiongyu repeated the eight characters "Six Heavens Ghosts, Ten Thousand Demons True Body" several times, enduring her dizziness and smiling gently. Her pale face bloomed like a lotus, truly beautiful even in her sickly state. "It's... it's a weapon." She closed her beautiful eyes, her two rows of curved eyelashes trembling slightly, her delicate nose slightly damp with sweat: "The divine weapon... the senior's weapon must be 'Sun-Piercing Evil.' I... I wonder if I'm right?" Jie

Jinglei was startled upon hearing this: "'Sun-Piercing Evil'! Are you Lian Qingxie, the 'Blood Sea Forging Master'?"

Lian Qingxie, the "Blood Sea Forging Master," was one of the top forging masters of the time, ranked among the Six Masters of Zhongchen.

It is said that this man was a born prodigy, passing the imperial examination at the age of seventeen and becoming a high-ranking official in the Ministry of Works. Unfortunately, the Yuwen Dynasty's fate was sealed, and he soon perished at the hands of the barbarians of Xihe Prefecture. Witnessing the tragedy of national ruin and family destruction, Lian Qingxie gritted his teeth and burned his Confucian robes and hat before the Wenchang Temple, recruiting a righteous army to defend the emperor. For ten years, he suffered repeated defeats and battles, but could not achieve success. After the barbarians retreated, the various warlords rose up to vie for supremacy, and the Nine Nether Cold Court retreated to the Xuanming Abyss and the Xiaoran Sea, never to emerge again. Lian Qingxie, carrying the last emperor's memorial tablet

, traveled the world for over three years. Hearing that the Fu clan had declared themselves emperor in Zhongjing, sweeping away all rivals and bringing all under heaven to their side, he finally despaired and abandoned any talk of reviving the nation through literature and military force, devoting himself instead to martial arts and military strategy. Lian Qingxie was originally a scholar, and even after commanding troops, he only had a rudimentary understanding of archery and horsemanship. He only began to delve into martial arts after the age of thirty, and with his extraordinary talent, he actually reached the level of the Six Perfections. Twenty years ago, believing his sword-making skills had reached perfection, he claimed he would no longer forge ordinary iron, desiring only to create "living swords." Legend has it he committed heinous acts such as murder to consecrate his swords, his behavior eccentric and unpredictable, leading him to be considered a madman, a madman on his deathbed. Neither righteous nor demonic sects generally preferred to associate with him.

Lian Qingxie's works were all named with the character "Xie" (邪), the more characters the better, and the placement of the "Xie" character also varied, with the later characters usually indicating greater power. This sword, "Ci Ri Qingxie" (刺日黥邪), was a four-character inscription, with "Xie" at the end, and was said to be his most prized creation, closest to the realm of a "living sword." Wen Qiongyu's words revealed its origin, leaving all those present in shock.

With the arrival of a master of the Six Absolutes, Jie Jinglei dared not be careless. He secretly channeled his inner energy and said in a deep voice, "Is the one who has come the Qingxie Sect Master from the Funiu Ridge's Chaotic Plain?" His bones crackled, and a faint light flickered around the edge of his right palm, the sword energy of the "Great Battle Sword" about to be unleashed.

"It is I, Second Master."

The newcomer slowly raised his head, expressionless. The firelight illuminated his blue robe and small hat, his stiff face resembling a clay or wooden sculpture. Jie Zhao looked closely and exclaimed, "How could it be you... Hou Sheng!"

Hou

Sheng turned and bowed to him, "Greetings, Fourth Master."

Hou Sheng had been in Suiping Prefecture for at least twenty years. Judging from the timeline, he could not possibly be the infamous "Blood Sea Forged" Lian Qingxie. Jie Jinglei was slightly relieved, but then noticed Jie Zhen's equally astonished expression and thought to himself, "Could it be... this fellow isn't an accomplice of that little beast?" He sheathed his sword and shouted, "Hou Sheng! What are you doing? Why are you here? And where did the 'Scorched Sun Tattoo' mark on your back come from?"

Hou Sheng remained expressionless, simply bowing his head respectfully. "Second Master, please forgive me."

Suddenly, a low laugh came from behind. "Save your breath, Second Brother. He's here to pick me up."

Jie Jinglei turned around abruptly. By the campfire, a sinister smile on

his face was unreadable. Who else could it be but Jie Zhen? Jie Zhao stared in disbelief, and after a long while, he stammered, "Father..." Jie Zhen gave him a cold glare, his stern gaze forcing him to swallow his words. That sword-like gaze swept across everyone's faces, finally settling on Jie Zhen's face, making him pale and cold sweat bead on his forehead.

"Look at you, Zhen'er." Jie Zhen smiled gently, his voice soft. "You're really too impatient."

Jie Zhen swallowed hard, smiling coldly without speaking, but his body swayed slightly. “You’re just like your damned mother, a wild wolf, impossible to tame no matter how you raise you. If you don’t suffer a thousand cuts, you’ll be a man-eater sooner or later.” Jie Zhen said softly, a smile on his face, his slightly narrowed eyes seemingly full of encouragement, yet also as if worried that he had frightened him: “Zhen’er, you must not relax your mind until you reach the final step of success—have you forgotten all of your father’s teachings?”

Jie Zhen sneered: “How could I forget? It’s just that Father’s methods are superior, which I can never match.”

Seeing the two of them locked in a fierce confrontation, completely disregarding him, Jie Jinglei was about to step forward when a palm strike suddenly came from behind. He hurriedly retaliated with his own palm, catching a peculiar palm with thick, hard flesh and very long, slender fingers. The force of the palm strike sent Hou Sheng staggering back two steps. Suddenly, he remembered someone.

"You are 'One-Handed Yin-Yang' Shan Chenghou?"

Hou Sheng's expression remained calm and composed. After a moment, he said, "I haven't used this 'Wan'er' for twenty years. Second Master has good eyesight."

Jie Jinglei was not without surprise, but he didn't show it on his face, instead sneering, "I didn't expect that one of the five masters of the Demonic Sect, a master of 'Mysterious Form Technique,' would actually infiltrate my Zhaori Manor for twenty years. This cunning and hard work... hehe, not simple at all!"

Hou Sheng said calmly, "Second Master misunderstands. Back then, I lost a bet with you, Master, and was spared death by your mercy, which is why I willingly became your slave. For twenty years, I..." He had never contacted the sect, nor used the 'Sun-Slaying Evil-Tattooing' weapon again, nor sparred with anyone… The 'One-Handed Yin-Yang Master' Shan Chenghou was no more; now, only Hou Sheng remained.”

Jie Jinglei pondered for a moment, then felt a chill run down his spine: “Even during the perilous battle at Xiangshan, the eldest brother didn't use this ambush weapon, showing how deeply it was laid; its use today indicates a determination to succeed.” His mind stirred, and his aura surged, a chilling killing intent suddenly erupting from his body. A halo appeared on the edge of his palm, causing even the martial arts-illiterate Wen Qiongyu to flinch at the force, as if a sharp blade were pressing against her.

Hou Sheng looked up and said, “The 'Sun-Slaying Evil-Tattooing' weapon is doomed from its sheath; Second Master, please reconsider.” Jie Jinglei's eyebrows shot up, and he laughed heartily: “Try it!” Before his words were finished, his right palm swept out with a “whoosh,” the halo around his palm seemingly materializing, swirling and hurtling towards him!

Before anyone could even cry out, the invisible aura of the "Great Battle Sword" was already upon Hou Sheng. Its force sent his hair flying, his clothes billowing, his hat flipping off, and his disheveled black and white hair scattering everywhere! A sharp clang rang out as Hou Sheng, gripping the iron rings and copper chains, yanked open the copper box. A strange light, as if alive, leaped from the opening, accompanied by a deafening roar like a beast. The blinding white light instantly blinded everyone present!

—"The Sun-Piercing Evil Sword"...it's out of its box!

Jie Jinglei instinctively closed his eyes. In the last instant before losing his sight, he vaguely saw the strange light slice through the Great Battle Sword's energy, as swiftly and cleanly as tearing thin paper, flying towards him in an arc; the arc it followed passed precisely over the remaining five or six Flying Tiger cavalrymen. His

battle instincts, honed through countless life-or-death struggles, sent him a warning.

Jie Jinglei leaped backward with all his might, landing right behind a massive bronze cauldron. He struck it with both palms, sending the cauldron crashing back to its original position, perfectly blocking the arc of the strange light. Just as Jie Jinglei was about to exhale and gather his strength, a strange sensation swept through him. Without thinking, he tilted his head back and fell, a chilling, swift wind brushing past his chest, abdomen, neck, and face, so fast it made a buzzing sound as it cut through the air. His skin burned as if scorched.

Jie Jinglei braced himself against the ground, straightened his back, and leaped to his feet, cold sweat already streaming down his face. Then, with a clang, the bronze box closed, the bronze chains rattling as they coiled up. The vast temple fell silent, save for his own heavy breathing.

He rubbed his eyelids and forced his eyes open. Through the blur, he saw that Hou Sheng's posture was unchanged; he was still carrying the bronze box, but his right hand, gripping the iron ring, had suddenly swelled to twice its original size, the muscles bulging, the skin flushed crimson as if overflowing with blood, and steam rising from it. His thin, wretched body contrasted with the abnormally swollen, blood-red arm, making him appear both bizarre and disgusting.

The six Flying Tiger elite riders surrounding Jie Zhen

and his group stared in disbelief, motionless. One of them murmured, "There...there is..." Turning his head to speak, a sudden gust of cold wind swept into the mountain gate, and all six heads fell with a "thud," wisps of smoke escaping from the severed wounds, barely spurting any blood. The head of the speaking rider rolled to Jie Jinglei's feet, his lips still moving: "There...there's wind..." He let out a low howl before falling silent.

Wen Qiongyu's heart pounded, her vision went black, and she almost fainted; Shang Jiuqing held her tightly, also trembling slightly.

Jie Zhao swallowed hard, unable to believe his eyes. Suddenly, a soft "snap!" rang out, and everything in the arc of the strange light that had passed split in two. Whether bronze or wood, the cuts were smooth as if polished, with only the edge of the broken cauldron gleaming with a bright bronze light, faintly imprinted with some intricate pattern. Upon closer inspection, the necks of the six Flying Tiger Knights also bore intricate, charred patterns, densely twisted, as if branded with a hot iron.

"So 'Slaying the Sun' refers to its ability to emit an astonishing, strange light, as if piercing the sun; and the 'tattoo' character refers to the peculiar markings left after killing someone and destroying an object." Jie Zhao wiped the sweat from his brow, only to find his hands still trembling. "This...this isn't a sword! It's practically a demonic creature!"

Although his knowledge of martial arts was limited, he had seen throwing weapons like flying claws, iron shuttles, fire wheels, and even blood-dripping darts and boomerangs. There's a saying, "Flying swords fear shields." No matter how sharp the blade or how strong the grip, there's no way a sword could sever six heads, flatten a bronze cauldron, and still return to its sheath. This "Blood Sea Forged" Lian Qingxie must have used demonic magic to create such a bizarre and terrifying weapon!

Looking up, he saw Jie Jinglei with disheveled hair and a deathly pale face. Hou Sheng, still with a cold, expressionless face, respectfully clasped his hands and bowed his head, saying woodenly, "Second Master has also seen it. This thing is indestructible; once it leaves its box, it drinks human blood and never returns empty-handed.

Please, Second Master, do not make things difficult for me, lest you bring trouble upon yourself." Jie Jinglei clenched his fists, his jaw grinding, but he did not reply.

"Second Brother, you are just too spineless. You can only persist in half of everything, and in the end, it's all in vain." Jie Zhen stroked his beard and smiled, "If you knew you would admit defeat so quickly, why did you do it in the first place?"

Jie Jinglei's eyes were bloodshot, his fists clenched so tightly they cracked. He shrugged, and then heard Jie Zhen say calmly, "A fight to the death, that's your style. But leaving behind Ah Ping is pitiful." Jie Jinglei trembled violently, his shoulders slumped, as if he had aged decades in an instant. After a long pause, he whispered, "You can do whatever you want to me. Ah Ping has always admired you. For Ah Jing's sake, don't harm her daughter."

Jie Zhen smiled faintly. "We're all family, you're being too formal, Second Brother."

Jie Zhao, who had been listening nearby, felt a chill run down his spine. He bowed to Hou Sheng and said, "Master, it's getting late. What should we do here?" Jie Zhen's phoenix eyes swept over them slowly, and he waved his hand, saying, "Take all the Jies here back to the capital. We don't need the others."

Everyone looked at each other in dismay. Sikong Du knew something was wrong. His mind raced, and he leaned close to Ping Baiyi's ear, saying, "If we don't leave now, when will we? You and I will split up and leave the temple, making sure that 'Assassin-the-Sun Tattooed Evil' can't catch us!" Before Ping Baiyi could understand, Sikong Du pressed down on his lower back and gave him a smooth push. The force sent him flying out the door, and upon landing, he leaped and bounded more than seven zhang away in the blink of an eye, far exceeding the arc trajectory of the "Assassin-the-Sun Tattooed Evil."

Jie Zhen's phoenix eyes flashed, and he hissed, "Hou Sheng!"

"Yes, Master." With a clang, the copper chain was pulled out, and a strange light appeared in the box! When everyone regained their sight, Ping Baiyi was already lying between the covered wagons. The bronze box on Hou Sheng's back slammed shut, and the "Assassinating the Sun and Tattooing Evil" returned to the box with perfect accuracy. Ping Baiyi's severed head was carried back to the temple gate by the force of the rotation, only stopping when it hit the threshold. Sikong Du

picked up the head with a livid face. Jie Zhao noticed from the side that he reached out and plucked a bit of blue light from the back of Ping Baiyi's neck and hurriedly put it into his sleeve. It was vaguely similar to the bead that flew out of Mo Youjie's body. The others' view was blocked by the head, so they did not notice Sikong Du's strange behavior.

"Strange! What exactly is that?" Jie Zhao's mind raced, and he stared intently at the ground. The corpse of the one-eyed black leopard was quite far away, and he couldn't see it clearly at this moment because of the heads of Hou Sheng, Jie Jinglei, and many Flying Tiger Guards. Although the fat fox Luo Bishi, who died in the pit below the ground, didn't show his face, Jie Zhao changed his angle a few times and indeed saw a faint blue light in the bloody pit. It seemed that Sikong Du had delayed in the temple until now in order to secretly retrieve these blue crystal beads.

Hou Sheng coldly replied, "The trajectory and distance of this weapon are entirely controlled by the iron ring in my hand. I have practiced the 'Yin-Yang Hand' for twenty years, reaching a level where I can control its range and distance at will. If Mr. Sikong wishes to test it further to see if there are any blind spots, I am happy to oblige."

Jie Zhao suddenly realized his mistake and cursed inwardly, "What a vicious bastard! He actually used the life of his sworn brother for testing. I thought it was a sign of remorse after death, and that he intended to let Ping Baiyi escape. Bah!"

Sikong Du, his intentions exposed and intimidated by the power of the tattooed demon, broke out in a cold sweat, forcing a smile, "Senior Brother Shan, we belong to the same lineage of the Demonic Sect. How can we kill each other? That old man Jie Zhen can even kill his own son and brothers. He certainly doesn't have good intentions towards you. Brother Shan, carrying this divine weapon will inevitably make you the target of jealousy. What's the point of losing your life for no reason?"

Hou Sheng shook his head. "The Lord Shan Cheng is no more. I have sold my life to you, sir. Do with me as you please."

Jie Zhen stroked his beard and smiled, shaking his head. "Sikong Du, among the five stems and seven leaves of the Demonic Sect, and the twelve lineages, not everyone is as despicable and vile as you. Even if I were to spare someone's life, it wouldn't be your turn." His gaze shifted, and he smiled. "Miss Wen, you are a clever woman. It's easy to talk to you, and I'm quite pleased. Hand over that item, and I might spare your life."

Wen Qiongyu smiled weakly and reached into her bosom to take out a brocade box. Jie Zhao recognized it as the box containing the Yin-Yang Pearl.

"This pearl... since this pearl is useless, what does Lord Jie want with it?" Wen Qiongyu closed her eyes, her snow-white lips moving slightly. Her two thin lips were moist and beautiful, even though they were bloodless, they looked as if they were powdered, delicate and exquisite, inspiring endless reverie.

Shang Jiuqing tossed the brocade box over, and Jie Zhen opened the lid, his expression suddenly darkening.

“Miss Wen, your lives are now in my hands. Why bother with such tricks?”

Wen Qiongyu’s beautiful eyes remained closed, a smile playing on her lips. “How does the Master know this isn’t the Yin-Yang Pearl?” Jie Zhen

sneered. “I’ve been looking at this pearl for eighteen years. No matter what tricks you play, you can’t fool me.”

Wen Qiongyu smiled. “That’s all I want to hear. Master Jie has finally admitted that the Yin-Yang Pearl from Miwu Palace eighteen years ago was not lost and has always been in your possession. On that day, to extricate himself from the predicament, Master Jie placed this old pearl at the crime scene in Jinchun Courtyard, deliberately letting Captain Qu of the Jinwu Guard discover it. In this way, even if I demanded an examination on the spot, I definitely wouldn’t find any problems, because yours is indeed the genuine Yin-Yang Pearl, but it’s not the pearl newly presented by the Miwu envoy, but the one you embezzled eighteen years ago.”

Jie Zhen realized he had misspoke, gave her a cold glance, and remained silent.

Wen Qiongyu frowned slightly, her breasts heaving. She paused for a moment, then continued, "But when you discovered that Sister Shang had secretly replaced the Yin-Yang Pearl with an ordinary pearl under the pretext of taking the pearl out to sunbathe, you began to worry that my origins were questionable. You thought I was either a member of the Demonic Sect or involved in the Miwu Palace case. You feared that I would take the pearl back to the Northern Region and expose your shameful act of embezzling the Yin-Yang Pearl back then. That's why you want to take the pearl back now, isn't that right?"

Jie Zhen turned his gaze, and after a moment, coldly said, "With your intelligence, you don't need to do this. You can deduce what happened back then yourself. Why take trouble upon yourself?"

"Because I want you to admit it yourself." Wen Qiongyu suddenly opened her eyes, a rare flash of indignation crossing her beautiful eyes:

"I am different from you, Lord Jie. You could instigate a bloody battle between the four great families and the Fragrant Mountain Palace for your own selfish desires; to steal another man's wife, you didn't hesitate to frame Weiyun Mountain for having ambitions to annex the righteous path, killing and taking his love, causing hundreds of women and children in Fragrant Mountain to become the playthings of the four great families, sacrificing themselves for a little food and clothing, being trampled and ravaged, living without dignity, like prostitutes!"

"But I cannot. I need clear evidence to confirm who my father's killer is. I demand justice, not the momentary pleasure of revenge."

Jie Zhen suddenly turned around, his eyes flashing with a sharp light. Just then, Wen Qiongyu, exhausted, collapsed with her head resting on her hand; Shang Jiuqing, Jie Zhao, and the others were stunned by that murderous gaze, its power no less than the "Slaying the Sun and Tattooing Evil" unsheathed.

Jie Zhen's murderous aura flashed and then vanished, replaced by a calm and composed expression. He nodded and said, "So it's you. Eighteen years ago, you were just a young girl, but today you've blossomed into such beauty. Even the maids and illegitimate daughters are stunningly beautiful. Miwu Palace is dedicated to keeping beauties like you; wouldn't it be a waste if you weren't used as a brothel?"

Even Wen Qiongyu, with her gentle nature, trembled upon hearing this, almost fainting from anger.

Jie Jinglei raised his head, both shocked and furious: "Elder! If these words were to spread, what face would Zhaori Manor have left to lead the righteous path?" Before he took over as the commander-in-chief of the Xiangshan garrison, there had indeed been a period of chaos. Many wicked young men from the four families coveted the beauties of Miwu Palace and bullied them in every way. He had to kill several of them to restore order. Although Jie Jinglei was not on good terms with his elder brother, he had received strong support from Jie Zhen in this matter; hearing him say such things now, he was more astonished than angry.

Jie Zhen sneered, "If it weren't for my secret intervention back then, with just those few people you killed, Zhao Ri Manor would be the next Mi Wu Palace! Second brother, you haven't improved your stupidity at all in eighteen years! Who do you think this girl is? Look closely!"

Jie Jinglei felt she looked familiar when he first saw her, but his brother's shout brought him back to his senses: "So...it's her!"

Jie Zhen snorted, "That's right, if you hadn't pretended to be a good person and allowed that woman from Lan Xiu Xuan to come and go in and out of Xiangshan, taking people with her, how could this little rascal have grown up like this? She is the daughter of Wei Yun Shan!"

◇◇◇

Jie Zhao turned around in astonishment and saw Wen Qiongyu trembling, opening her beautiful eyes and smiling at him, with tears seemingly welling up in her eyes.

Upon hearing the mention of Xiangshan Miwu Palace, Jie Zhen instantly became enraged. He waved his hand and roared, "Whether you hand her over or not is not up to you! Hou Sheng, strip her naked and see where she can hide!" Hou Sheng stepped forward, gripping the iron ring, his face expressionless, his shadow covering the two beauties, Wen and Shang. Sikong Du chuckled to the side, seemingly enjoying the show, but a cunning glint flashed in his eyes as he glanced at the exit near the rooftop and the backyard, secretly calculating in his mind.

Jie Zhen stood with his arms crossed, watching coldly, saying nothing. He had suffered a crushing defeat in his power struggle with Jie Zhen and should have been at the center of the storm, but unexpectedly, this daughter of Weiyun Mountain appeared out of nowhere, diverting everyone's attention and giving him the most precious time.

Jie Zhao, seeing the beauty about to be humiliated, almost rose to stop her, when suddenly someone shouted, "Stop!" Turning around, he saw it was Jie Jinglei.

"Eldest brother, the Jie family has always prided itself on chivalry for centuries. I've never inquired about your past, but there's only one woman you cannot harm." Jie Jinglei held his right palm like a sword across his chest and said in a deep voice, "Brother, even if we made a mistake eighteen years ago, we've done our part. Regret is useless. We cannot make the same mistake again today."

Jie Zhen watched coldly, his expression gradually shifting from rage and impatience to contempt and disdain, finally settling into calm.

"Second brother, you're just that useless." With a casual wave of his hand, Hou Sheng grabbed the iron ring, intending to kill without mercy.

Jie Jinglei and Hou Sheng, on the verge of exploding, suddenly listened intently, both standing still, their eyes fixed on each other, yet simultaneously withdrawing seventy percent of their true energy to prepare for the sudden change.

A gust of wind entered the courtyard, carrying a low, mournful melody, but it was impossible to discern the exact words. Wen Qiongyu, still recovering from her shock, collapsed into Shang Jiuqing's arms. Suddenly, she heard a silvery laugh coming from behind the blue curtain separating the two rooms. The voice was sweet and clear, like a nightingale's song:

"Silly girl! Is this all you've got for justice? Utterly disappointing."

Wen Qiongyu smiled with her eyes closed: "This humble sister is unworthy; I await your rescue, senior sister."

The newcomer chuckled: "So, I've fallen for your trick!"

The blue curtain was lifted, revealing a petite and graceful woman in black. As soon as she stepped out, a sweet, lingering fragrance of flowers filled the air.

She wore short-sleeved, collared shirts and boots, all in a deep, glossy black, over which a thin black gauze robe revealed her plump, lotus-root-like arms, alluringly alluring. The woman's skin was unbelievably white, neither the pale blue of Jie Ying and Shang Jiuqing's mixed-race heritage, nor the jade-white of Wen Qiongyu with its subtle bluish veins. Instead, it was a warm, rich white, even the blood showing through the thinner areas of her skin—her elbows, armpits, and chest—had a touch of pinkish-orange, like honey.

The woman wore a black veil, her hair styled in a playful yet alluring updo. Her petite frame resembled that of a little girl, but her breasts were full, her waist smooth and supple, and her entire being exuded an indescribable, seductive charm that captivated anyone who looked upon her. Jie Zhao felt a strange familiarity with her, suddenly remembering that her attire was exactly the same as that of Wu Yaoji, the envoy from Miwu, from that day. Then he heard Jie Zhen laugh loudly, "The strategist has only just arrived! I was truly anxious!" His voice held an inexplicable certainty, sweeping away his previous dejection, as if victory was already assured.

"My lord, please don't be angry. That person arrived late, but luckily we made it in time." The woman

, known as the "strategist," giggled sweetly. Jie Zhen glanced at her coldly, his smile disdainful: "So the reinforcements you've been waiting for are her?" The implication was that she had anticipated Jie Zhen's hidden plan and deliberately delayed to wipe out his henchmen. Jie Zhen inwardly shuddered: "I've underestimated the old ghost's cunning. I must learn from this." "

This humble woman, Wu Yaoji, greets Master Jie." The woman remained unmoved, her beautiful eyes sparkling as she curtsied, her eyes and brows radiating a smile, as if coated with honey. Seeing the bright and captivating cinnabar mole under her left eye, Jie Zhao suddenly realized who it was and cried out in surprise, "It's you! It was you!"

A flash of hatred crossed the woman's eyes, but it instantly returned to its charming and alluring expression. She covered her mouth and laughed, "Fourth Master is so perceptive. I thought I hid myself so well, but you managed to sniff it out!" With a breathtaking sigh, almost a groan, she removed her veil, revealing herself to be the little enchanting rabbit from the Tonghua Courtyard who had impersonated "Zheng Ping'er."

"My elaborate scheme was made possible thanks to Fourth Master's help. Ping'er thanks Fourth Master."

Recalling the passionate embrace in the bathhouse that day, and the various wonderful sensations of her smooth and delicate body, and comparing it with the injustices and suffering he had endured, Jie Zhao was speechless. He didn't know whether to feel anger, surprise, or regret. He could only point at her and stammer, "You...you..." Jie Zhen seemed completely unsurprised and calmly said, "Hand over that new Yin-Yang Pearl, and I might consider sparing your life."

Wu Yaoji chuckled and covered her mouth to laugh for a while. "What if I don't?"

"Then I don't mind searching your corpse." Jie Zhen smiled calmly: "Hou Sheng, kill them all, and remember to be swift."

Hou Sheng, his face expressionless, surveyed his surroundings, seemingly calculating the trajectory of the "Slaying Sun and Tattooing Evil" sword. The veins in his bulging right arm throbbed, and he suddenly gripped the iron ring—a sharp "twang" of the plucked string suddenly spread like a blade in the wind. Hou Sheng tensed up, abruptly turning and mounting his horse, causing the muddy ground in the temple to collapse with a crash, as if only in this way could he offer any resistance. For the first time, his expressionless face showed a subtle change, and he said in a hoarse voice: "Who is this master? Please show yourself and enlighten me!"

Everyone turned to look, but saw that the area under the eaves outside the door was empty; there was no one there.

Only Hou Sheng knew perfectly well: the killing intent contained in that plucked string was directed only at him; no one else could perceive it.

If he hadn't gathered his strength to resist in time, a moment's hesitation would have resulted in his ears exploding and his skull being pierced. In his prime, he was a warrior in the "Mysterious Form Method," a branch of the Demonic Sect. He had killed countless people in his life and was most sensitive to this kind of invisible force, yet he had never encountered such a concentrated and ethereal killing aura.

After a moment of silence, a hoarse, weary voice sounded from outside the door: "Are you a disciple of Lian Qingxie, or a relative?" He

wasn't entirely old, but there was an indescribable weariness, as if he were filled with desolation.

Hou Sheng was startled and said blankly, "I once did him a favor, so I gifted him this weapon."

The man was silent for a moment, then said, "That was a great favor. If he hadn't taught you the 'Void Illusionary Netherworld Hand,' you probably wouldn't be able to wield this 'Sun-Piercing Evil Tattoo.'" Hearing him reveal the origin of his martial arts, Hou Sheng's face remained expressionless, but his heart was churning like a stormy sea. It should be known that Shan Chenghou rose to fame at a young age, dominating the martial world with his "Yin-Yang Palm." Even Jie Zhen was unaware that the one who controlled the bronze box was the "Void Illusionary Netherworld Hand" taught

to him by Lian Qingxie. Few knew this, so the newcomer must have a deep understanding of Lian Qingxie. Lian Qingxie was a loner with no friends, and only his enemies would have bothered to understand him.

Before the man could speak, Hou Sheng suddenly pulled the bronze chain, and the Sun-Piercing Evil Sword was drawn from its sheath! In an instant, strange light and beastly roars robbed everyone of their senses, and a sharp, cutting wind swept back and forth. "Clang!" The bronze box locked, and the dazzling light filling the room vanished instantly. With a

crash, a corner of the slanted eaves collapsed, and even the intricately structured brackets shattered into pieces. There was no place to hide outside the eaves, and the newcomer was still nowhere to be seen. Everyone rubbed their eyes in astonishment. Hou Sheng's posture remained unchanged, but he had moved to the other side. The bronze cauldron that had been behind him had been split in two, with stale, lumpy incense ash scattered all over the ground.

Jie Zhao saw that the cut surface of the cauldron was as sharp as new and assumed it was the work of the Assassin's Evil Sword again. But then he thought, "That demonic sword travels in a circular trajectory after it leaves its sheath, like a boomerang. How could it split the cauldron straight in half? Could it be... that person outside did it?"

Just then, the newcomer coughed twice and sighed, "Truly a masterpiece of Lian Qingxie. If I hadn't forced you to move first, I'm afraid I wouldn't have been able to dodge this attack! When it comes to the art of mechanical forging, Lian Qingxie is indeed the best in the world."

It turned out that the man sensed the killing intent and attacked the instant the bronze box opened. Hou Sheng instinctively shifted his position to dodge, and the arc trajectory of the "Slaying Sun and Tattooing Evil" sword was deflected, throwing his original calculations into disarray. Jie Zhao stared at the smooth broken edge of the broken cauldron, both surprised and suspicious: "That demonic sword is incomparably sharp, cutting off half of the cauldron is one thing, but what did this person use to split the bronze cauldron? There's no sign of anyone or any weapon going in or out, could it be some kind of demonic magic or immortal technique?" He didn't believe in ghosts and gods, but since practicing with the old monster in his dreams, he had a feeling of "once you've seen the ocean, you can't be satisfied with a river," and even the most mysterious and strange things seemed possible.

This was the first time Hou Sheng had missed his target since acquiring the sword; although the opponent admitted that he couldn't withstand its sharpness, his attack was even faster than the "Slaying Sun and Tattooing Evil" sword being drawn from its sheath. In the end, Hou Sheng was the one who suffered the loss. Hou Sheng's murderous intent stirred; he wanted to coax the man into talking to pinpoint his location, and coldly said, "I advise you not to meddle in other people's business. The Assassin's Blade, once unsheathed, will surely return after drinking human blood. You might not be so lucky next time."

The man chuckled, his voice desolate: "Luck? I've never believed in luck in my life..." Before he could finish speaking, Hou Sheng suddenly turned around and pulled the copper chain; but before his hand could even grasp the ring, a sharp "swoosh" rang out, and a jet of blood shot into the air. Hou Sheng clutched his shoulder and knelt down, screaming in agony. His right arm, bulging with blood-red veins, had been severed at the shoulder!

—Flesh and blood could not withstand the Assassin's Blade; the only way to break it was to prevent it from being unsheathed!

This time, there was no blinding light of the "Assassin's Blade," and everyone could finally see clearly: what severed Hou Sheng's arm was a blade of energy formed by compressing wind from a distance! Jie Zhao could almost see the mysterious, misty blade wind, already possessing the faint outline of a sharp, gleaming edge. It was both ethereal and real, and he couldn't tell if it was just his imagination or if it was real.

Jie Jinglei, with his vast knowledge, suddenly remembered something and blurted out, "The Heavenly Lord's Blade! This is the 'Heavenly Lord's Blade'! Is it Zhou Er of the 'Thousand Shadows Remnant Dream Pavilion,' Qi San of the 'Hundred Armies Alliance,' or Xiao Siye of the 'Ten Thousand Victories Gate' who came outside?" Shang Jiuqing and the others couldn't help but change their expressions upon hearing the words "Heavenly Lord's Blade."

This was a towering figure that all swordsmen under heaven looked up to.

Jie Zhao had heard his father—whom he still called "father" back then, and who still hadn't changed his mind—tell him the story of the "Heavenly Lord's Blade." It wasn't a very distant legend; the people in the story, the love, hatred, and grudges within it, had only occurred within the last ten years or so.

Once

upon a time, there was a great swordsman surnamed Feng who, in a secret realm, encountered a fortuitous encounter and obtained a fragment of the manual for the "Heavenly Lord's Blade." With extraordinary talent and diligent practice, he mastered the unparalleled sword techniques within, not only gaining great fame but also establishing a sect with this blade, making it one of the most powerful forces in Zhongchen Prefecture.

This man not only wanted what was best for himself but also for his brothers, so he passed on the "Heavenly Lord's Blade" without reservation to his three sworn brothers, Zhou, Qi, and Xiao. The three did not disappoint their elder brother's expectations; they not only achieved great martial arts skills but also established their own sects, becoming powerful figures in their respective regions. Of the four, only the youngest brother, the fourth, was unlucky. He founded one new sect after another, but none lasted long. The swordsman, seeing this, took the fourth brother back to his sect and appointed him as a manager.

This fourth brother, surnamed Xiao, was very capable but couldn't stand the criticism that he was relying on his elder brother's protection and was not a true hero. For the sake of brotherhood, the swordsman not only entrusted him with the reins of his sect, gave him his beloved woman, and passed on his sword manual and sword—symbols of his legacy—but also bequeathed the entire sect to him before disappearing into the distance. Some say he went overseas to hone his swordsmanship to the highest level, while others say he lived in anonymity and eventually died of illness in a foreign land.

Although the swordsman was gone, his three sworn brothers grew increasingly famous, especially the fourth brother, who was once looked down upon. He expanded the sect founded by his elder brother, far surpassing its former size. The martial arts world held the swordsman surnamed Feng and his three sworn brothers in ever-growing respect, calling them the "Four Heavenly Sovereigns."

◇◇◇

The appearance of the "Heavenly Sovereign's Blade" indicates that at least one of the following factions—the Wansheng Sect, the Qianying Canmenglou, or the Baijun Alliance—has intervened in this matter; the slightest misstep could escalate into a massive conflict among the righteous forces of Zhongchen Prefecture, with unimaginable consequences. In recent years, Zhaori Manor has maintained close ties with Wansheng Sect, known as the "Number One Gang in Zhongchen Prefecture." Jie Jinglei and the sect leader, Xiao Yingyue, nicknamed "Ten Miles of Calm Lake," have exchanged letters several times, with both sides sending envoys and gifts to maintain a semblance of friendship.

If it were Zhou Er of Qianying Canmeng Tower, or Qi San of Baijun Alliance, the situation would be quite different. The newcomer crippled Hou Sheng with a single strike, rendering "Assassinating Sun and Tattooed Evil" ineffective; whoever controls this uninvited guest will be the ultimate winner in the temple tonight.

Jie Jinglei called out the names of the three men one by one, but there was still no movement outside the eaves. Suddenly, Jie Zhen sneered, his ashen face still showing disdain. He said calmly, "Second brother, you're just a coward, always running away. To wield the 'Heavenly Lord Blade' to this extent, and to have mastered the 'Concealing Form Outside the Body' realm, there's only one person in the entire world."

Jie Jinglei was stunned, and blurted out in astonishment, "Could it be...could it be him?"

"Of course it's him. Feng Da! You and I have been among the Six Greats for many years, renowned for our swordsmanship, yet we've never met. I never expected to meet you here for the first time. Fate is truly unpredictable. I should address you as..." Jie Zhen bowed to the deep night outside the temple, stroked his beard and smiled, but there was no smile in his eyes:

"'Invincible Heavenly Lord' Feng Nandi!"

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