[Wuxia] Embroidered Robes and Cloud-like Hair (Complete) - 34

Chapter Forty-One: Discovering the Treacherous Scheme

Jiang Tiantao hurriedly bent down, bracing his feet against the eaves, one hand gripping the corner of the cup, the other grasping a jade-like wrist as smooth as cream. He didn't know who was the first to descend, but based on the exposed bright red cuff, he deduced it was Zhu Caidie. Just as he tightened his grip on Zhu Caidie's wrist, a flash of red, and Zhu Caidie had already flipped down, using the momentum to swing towards the vermilion balustrade several feet below, simultaneously releasing her hands. Jiang Tiantao seized the opportunity and tossed Zhu Caidie, who had skillfully floated into the vermilion balustrade. Next came Leng Ping and Deng Lizhu, and finally Rainbow Dragon Girl. Jiang Tiantao

leaped down into the vermilion balustrade and found that the four women, including Leng Ping, all looked tense and somewhat pale, knowing that they were all somewhat agitated. Deng Lizhu couldn't help but whisper anxiously, "Brother Tao, this is too risky! What if the carved beams of the eaves break? We'll both fall and be turned into a bloody pulp!"

Jiang Tiantao smiled faintly, said nothing, and immediately stood up and leaned against the towering carved eaves door, quickly walking around to the front of the pavilion. Upon reaching the front of the pavilion, there was a row of tall potted plants placed along the railing, perfectly concealing the five of them. Hidden behind the potted plants, the five of them had a clear view of the hall's furnishings. They were better off not seeing it, but upon seeing it, they were all unexpectedly stunned. At the

long, A-shaped banquet table in the hall, not only were Poisonous Lady and Upturned Nose present, but also He Laomao, the "One-Eyed Shuttle," the murderer of his father whom Leng Ping had branded with a "golden character" at the Dragon Head Assembly, was also seated. This truly shocked Jiang Tiantao, Leng Ping, and the others. The slender "Hook and Cudgel Double Mighty Mountain Puller," still dressed in gray, with a flat nose, hawk-like eyes, and a small goatee, sat solemnly at the head of the table, seemingly burdened with worries. At the long table to his left sat Poisonous Woman and Upturned Nose, along with He Laomao and his disciples; at the table to his right were the masters under "Mountain Puller's" command, each with a golden dragon embroidered on their chest. Behind "Mountain Puller" stood six or seven fierce-looking, burly men, each dressed in strange attire and carrying oddly shaped weapons.

After reading it, Jiang Tiantao was immediately surprised and whispered, "That old scoundrel He arrived so quickly! He actually got here before us."

Leng Ping's face turned ashen, her brows furrowed with murderous intent, and she said through gritted teeth, "It's best that he arrived first..."

Before she could finish speaking, she saw the solemn-looking "Li Bashan" turn to look at He Laomao and ask in a deep voice, "Did you witness this scene with your own eyes?"

"One-Eyed Shuttle" He Laomao bowed slightly and solemnly said, "From the beginning to the end of the Dragon Head Assembly, I, your foolish brother, have remained seated in my usual position without moving."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Tiantao and the others knew that He Laomao had just arrived and was reporting the events of the Xingzi Mountain Dragon Head Assembly to "Li Bashan," the topic of which was naturally Jiang Tiantao himself. Hearing He Laomao's words, "Li Bashan" turned to look at Poisonous Lady with a solemn expression.

Poisonous Lady's face was grim, and she immediately said uneasily, "Jiang Tiantao possesses such extraordinary martial arts skills; he must have had some extraordinary encounter in the past six months. Dragon Lord has fought with Jiang Tiantao before, so he should believe this is true."

He Laomao interjected indignantly, "Regardless of the reason, this debt with Jiugong Fortress must be settled. We will gather all the experts in the borderlands and launch a surprise attack on Jiugong Fortress on New Year's Eve. We will surely achieve a great victory."

Jiang Tiantao and his four companions were shocked, and all of them secretly felt anger. These scoundrels were indeed too audacious. Then, "Li Bashan" turned to look at Poisonous Lady and said deeply, "You are very familiar with the mechanisms, paths, and routes within Jiugong Fortress?"

Poisonous Lady hurriedly bowed and said, "This humble woman has lived in Jiugong Fortress for twenty-one years. Does Dragon Lord still doubt that this humble woman is unaware of the mechanisms and routes within Jiugong Fortress?" Upon hearing this, "

Li Bashan's" eyes gleamed, and he slammed his hand on the table, gritting his teeth as he said in a deep voice, "Good, pass on the message: all the Golden Dragon Brocade-Clad experts are to accompany me to Mufu Mountain. We will depart at the crack of dawn tomorrow."

Just then, a wiry, strong man rushed up the steps of the hall and into the room. The wiry man hurried to the front of the inner hall, bowed to the bewildered "Li Bashan," and said loudly, "Reporting to the Dragon Lord, a messenger has arrived from the Hunyuan branch of the Black Dragon Altar. Jiang Tiantao of Jiugongbao, along with his four wives and an old woman, is on his way to the main altar. It is said that they will arrive between late afternoon and late afternoon tomorrow." "

Li Bashan's" eyes flashed with a sharp light, and he let out a low, surprised "Oh." Poisonous Dragon and Upturned Nose's expressions changed drastically at the same time. "One-Eyed Shuttle" He Laomao, who had witnessed Jiang Tiantao's terrifying martial arts firsthand, was already stunned. Just then, another person rushed frantically towards the main hall from the courtyard below Fei Ge. Jiang Tiantao and the four women, Leng Ping, and the others, all paled at the same time and exclaimed in unison, "Oh no!" The person rushing towards the main hall was none other than the ugly, hemp-clad man, "Black Heart Impermanence,"

who had been knocked down by Jiang Tiantao's finger strike on the peak. The four women, Leng Ping and the others, were all stunned to see that the person rushing frantically towards the main hall from the courtyard below Fei Ge was none other than "Black Heart Impermanence," who had been knocked down by Jiang Tiantao's finger strike on the peak. Zhu Caidie couldn't help but look at Jiang Tiantao first and anxiously whispered, "Brother Tao, how did Black Heart Impermanence's acupoints open?"

Jiang Tiantao frowned slightly and whispered with a hint of annoyance, "I only used 20% of my strength to knock him unconscious. I wanted to ask him more about what happened after 'Poisonous Lady,' but after entering the stone house, I forgot about him..."

Deng Lizhu immediately chimed in nonchalantly, "Never mind, we're already inside anyway." Before he finished speaking

, a thin old man wearing a melon-shaped hat, a black satin mandarin jacket, and a blue leather robe appeared on the long table on the right side of the hall. He adjusted his reading glasses with his fingers, stood up from his chair, cupped his hands towards "Li Bashan," and said with a fawning smile, "Dragon Lord, please don't be troubled by this. Since that brat surnamed Jiang has delivered himself to your door, it is the perfect opportunity for you to avenge that humiliation."

"Li Ba Shan" frowned deeply, grunted, and asked with a melancholy tone, "Mr. Hong, what brilliant plan do you have?"

The little old man with reading glasses shrugged, stroked the few tufts of mustache on his thin lips, and smiled slyly, "In my humble opinion, once that Jiang brat arrives, we should immediately invite him to a duel at the back mountain. If we lose, we can simply hold this banquet." As he spoke, his two thin, bony hands immediately made a gesture. Jiang Tiantao and the four women, including Leng Ping, frowned, suddenly unable to fathom the meaning of the little old man's gesture.

"Li Ba Shan" frowned deeply and hesitated, saying, "That's the only way to defeat the leaders and masters of the thirty-three sects of the Central Plains Dragon Head Assembly. How can we use it so easily?" Upon hearing this, Jiang Tiantao and the four women were simultaneously shocked. It turned out that this old scoundrel harbored evil intentions, intending to eliminate the leaders of the thirty-three sects of the Central Plains and attempt to dominate the martial arts world.

As the five pondered, the gaunt old man explained solemnly, “Things have their priorities, and matters have their urgency. The fire is imminent, and danger is imminent. We are already struggling to survive; how can we possibly eliminate the leaders of the thirty-three factions and dominate the Central Plains? If we kill Jiang Tiantao tomorrow, wouldn't we be eliminating a formidable enemy first? Why worry about future great undertakings?”

Upon hearing this, Deng Lizhu was instantly enraged, saying hatefully, “That old dog is the most ruthless and cunning. Let me take that dog's life first.” As she spoke, her jade hand reached into her pouch for a bullet.

Leng Ping immediately whispered to stop her, “Zhu Mei, wait! Judging from their tone, they seem to be discussing a major event concerning a calamity in the martial world. Let's hear what they have to say.” The five looked again; “Li Ba Shan” hesitated, seemingly unable to make a decision.

Suddenly, a glint flashed in “Li Ba Shan’s” eyes, and his expression changed drastically, as if he had spotted “Hei Xin Wu Chang” rushing into the hall in a panic. Immediately afterward, Poisonous Lady, He Laomao, and the dozen or so Golden Dragon Brocade-clad experts at the long table on the right also discovered "Black Heart Impermanence." Black Heart Impermanence rushed to the front of the inner hall, and before he could even bow, he cried out in a panic, "Reporting to the Dragon Lord, something terrible has happened!" "

Mountain-Puller" glared at him and angrily asked, "What's the matter that you're in such a panic?"

Black Heart Impermanence anxiously replied, "Jiang Tiantao from Jiugong Fortress has come to capture Poisonous Lady."

Upon hearing this, everyone in the hall gasped in shock, stunned, even "Mountain-Puller," who sat at the head of the table. Poisonous Lady and Upturned Nose were already pale with fright; they knew that escaping from Jiang Tiantao's men this time was probably harder than climbing to heaven.

"Mountain-Puller" first composed himself, glaring angrily and asking urgently, "Where are they now?"

Black Heart Impermanence, panting, replied, "I'm on Peak Cone now."

Upon hearing this, "Mountain-Puller" flew into a rage. As if remembering something, he slammed his hand on the table and roared, "Why didn't you sound the emergency siren? Who sent you here…?"

Black Heart Impermanence, terrified, knelt on the ground with a thud, explaining in a flustered voice, "I had just raised my bamboo flute, but before I could put it in my mouth, I saw Jiang Tiantao, several feet away, flick his hand at me, and I fainted." "Mountain-Puller," Poisonous Lady, and all the Golden Dragon Brocade-Clad experts were stunned, their expressions changing drastically.

He Laomao, regaining his composure, immediately stood up from his chair and nervously explained, "This proves that what I said just now was not an exaggeration."

"Li Bashan" asked with worry and confusion, "How did Jiang Tiantao arrive so quickly?"

Before he finished speaking, the thin old man wearing reading glasses said in a flattering tone, "Dragon Lord, there is no need to worry. As long as we follow my advice, what is there to fear from that inexperienced Jiang Tiantao?"

Upon hearing this, "Li Bashan"'s eyes flashed with a sharp light. He slammed his fist on the table, gritting his teeth as he resolutely declared, "Very well, when that brat surnamed Jiang arrives, we'll act as you suggest, sir." He then turned to the dozen or so Golden Dragon experts at the long table on the right, and roared angrily, "Headquarters Supervisor, quickly go to the four gates to oversee the defenses, strengthen patrols, and deploy more guards. If Jiang Tiantao or the others escape, report to me immediately!" As soon as he finished speaking, at the very end of the long table, someone suddenly stood up from their chair with a shout, bowed to "Li Bashan," and leaped out of the hall.

Jiang Tiantao and the four women, including Leng Ping, quickly lowered their stances. The four who rushed out of the hall were an elderly man with gray hair and beard, a monk wearing a leather cap, and two burly middle-aged men. The four scattered in all directions, heading straight for the four gates. Jiang Tiantao and his group of five could see that although the four inspectors were all in high spirits, there was a hidden fear in their eyes.

The five men looked around the hall again. "Li Ba Shan" glared at "Hei Xin Wu Chang" kneeling on the ground and said sternly, "How many experts did you see that brat surnamed Jiang bring?"

Hei Xin Wu Chang raised his head and said respectfully, "I only saw Jiang Tian Tao and four girls, a total of five people."

Hei Xin Wu Chang continued, "The four girls who climbed to the top of the cone peak with Jiang Tian Tao were dressed in scarlet, bright red, light green, and pinkish-green. Jiang Tian Tao is..."

Before he could finish speaking, He Laomao hurriedly explained, "The girl in pinkish-green is the Rainbow Dragon Girl, whose lightness skill and swordsmanship are amazing. And the girl in bright red is especially skilled in swordsmanship. Her master is none other than the 'Golden Blind Nun' whom we hate to the bone..." Upon hearing "Golden Blind Nun," the experts under "Li Ba Shan" immediately stirred up a commotion, and "Li Ba Shan's" brows furrowed.

Just then, in the courtyard below Feige Pavilion, another monk with a golden headband and a dagger, looking flustered, rushed towards the main hall. Jiang Tiantao and the four women, including Leng Ping, were all very confused. Judging from the monk's tense expression, something urgent had happened again. Then, "Li Bashan" suddenly stood up from his chair, glaring angrily at the golden-headed monk rushing into the hall. He asked sharply, "Pockmarked Monk, has that brat Jiang Tiantao gone to Beiyun Peak again?"

Pockmarked Monk was panting heavily and shouted anxiously, "Reporting to the Dragon Lord, something terrible has happened! Two handsome young men suddenly appeared on Beiyun Peak. Their martial arts are extremely powerful, and all seven lookouts on the peak have been killed." Jiang Tiantao and Leng Ping were shocked and stunned.

Suddenly, "Li Ba Shan" opened his eyes wide in anger, slammed his hand on the table, and asked sharply, "Are those two youths experts from Jiu Gong Bao?"

The pockmarked monk replied in a flustered voice, "This subordinate does not know."

Poisonous Lady interjected, "Who are they?"

The pockmarked monk hurriedly said, "One carries a long sword and wears a yellow robe. The one in the yellow robe is the most skilled swordsman, but the other youth in a silver satin robe is the most ruthless. He kills anyone he sees."

"Li Ba Shan," still shocked and angry, asked angrily, "Who are these two?" They all looked at each other, neither knowing who they were.

Jiang Tiantao was also pondering this when he suddenly saw the thin old man, Mr. Hong, and said, "Regardless of who those two boys are, send men to capture them and give them a good beating. They'll have no choice but to confess. If they are that Jiang brat's unmarried wives, we can use them as hostages to blackmail him." "

Li Bashan" seemed to place particular importance on the thin old man, Mr. Hong, who wore reading glasses. Upon hearing this, he immediately looked at the seven strangely dressed, fierce-looking men behind him and angrily said, "You seven, quickly go to Beiyun Peak and capture those two boys to see me." The seven menacing-looking men stood up simultaneously, responded in unison, and turned to leave.

As soon as the seven stopped, Poisonous Lady turned to "Li Bashan" and respectfully said, "Based on the reports from the two lookouts at Dingzhui Peak and Beiyun Peak, I have determined that Jiang Tiantao is employing a 'feint attack' tactic..."

Before Poisonous Lady could finish speaking, the thin old man asked unhappily, "How do you know?" "

Poisonous Lady immediately explained, 'This humble woman is certain that Jiang Tiantao's feint attack has its own ulterior motives. First, Jiang Tiantao and his men, seeing the magnificent buildings and tight security of the main camp, knew they couldn't enter, so they used this to distract our manpower and attention, waiting for an opportunity to enter. Second, their appearance on the two peaks is intended to lure us out of the camp to meet them, where they can then defeat us one by one, gradually eroding our strength. Perhaps, by the time we reach the east and north peaks, they will have already vanished, while something else will have happened on the west and south peaks. In this way, we will return empty-handed in waves, our own men constantly coming and going, which could easily lead to a lapse in vigilance, giving them an opportunity to enter…' At this point, many people nodded in agreement, even 'Li Bashan' unconsciously nodded in agreement."

Seeing that the Poisonous Woman had not only rejected his suggestion but was also gradually threatening his position as "Master," the thin Mr. Hong gave a cold laugh and asked mockingly, "Why did that brat Jiang Tiantao come to the Northern Frontier, and why did he choose to launch a night raid instead of openly demanding his people?"

The Poisonous Woman smiled faintly, not even glancing at Mr. Hong, and continued unperturbed, "It's quite obvious. Although Jiang Tiantao had heard rumors that the young woman and her son had come to the Northern Frontier to seek refuge with the Dragon King, they dared not openly demand their people from the Dragon King before the facts were proven. They wanted to obtain confirmation first." "Then make another request to the Dragon Lord."

The thin Mr. Hong smiled contemptuously and said, "Since you're trying to gather evidence, why did Jiang Tiantao appear on the East and North Peaks?"

Poisonous Lady replied without hesitation, "If I'm not mistaken, our lookouts must have discovered Jiang Tiantao and his group first, forcing them to strike first. Or perhaps they wanted to extract information about my mother and child from the lookouts, which is why they launched a sneak attack." Upon hearing this, Leng Ping and the other three women turned to look at Jiang Tiantao, seemingly saying that Poisonous Lady's wisdom was indeed astonishing.

The five turned to look at the hall again. "Li Bashan" was already glaring angrily at "Hei Xin Wu Chang," who had already stood up, and asked in a deep, imposing voice, "Did you find Jiang Tiantao first, or did they find you first?"

Hei Xin Wu Chang hurriedly replied respectfully, "It was I who found them first." Upon hearing this, the dozen or so experts in golden dragon brocade robes and the seven strangely dressed, fierce-looking men exchanged surprised glances, then looked at Poison Lady with admiration.

"Li Ba Shan" nodded admiringly and asked in a consultative tone, "What does Lady Zhang think we should do to deal with Jiang Tiantao and his men?"

Poisonous Lady immediately replied humbly, "This humble woman has a few humble suggestions for Lord Long to consider."

"Li Ba Shan" also said modestly, "Please speak."

Poisonous Lady confidently replied, "First, we must hold our ground and wait for them to tire themselves out. We should ignore them. When they approach the walls, we will unleash a hail of arrows, or even burn them with fire arrows. We will shout and curse loudly. In such harsh, snowy weather, let alone finding a place to rest and warm up, they won't even have enough to eat..." At this point, many people smiled slightly.

The Poisonous Lady continued, "Secondly, immediately notify the lookout posts on the four peaks to descend the mountain overnight and, together with the experts from the various 'inns' at the foot of the mountain, order the food shops in each town to immediately close, and secretly ambush those who come down the mountain to buy food and their horses." At this point, the anxious Golden Dragon experts mostly regained their composure.

The Poisonous Lady smiled smugly and continued, "Under such hunger and cold, within three to five days, Jiang Tiantao and the others will inevitably leave quietly." "Mountain-Pulling Force," upon hearing this, repeatedly exclaimed "Excellent!" and laughed happily.

Jiang Tiantao, hearing this, felt a surge of anger, his brows furrowed and his teeth clenched, wishing he could immediately go down and capture the Poisonous Lady on the spot. Leng Ping glanced at Jiang Tiantao and muttered resentfully, "That's truly a cunning and treacherous woman."

Rainbow Dragon Girl chimed in, "Luckily, we got in first, otherwise, we would have suffered their torment." As she spoke, she turned her head and nudged Jiang Tiantao, whispering anxiously, "Brother Tao, look!" Jiang Tiantao, Leng Ping, and the two women, Zhu and Deng, looked in the direction of her voice and their expressions changed. They saw figures moving about on the surrounding walls, with large red lanterns every few feet. After looking

, the five of them shook their heads unconsciously, as if to say that with such a dense network of guards, it would indeed take a lot of effort to break into the village, and even then, it wasn't certain they could capture Zhang Lihua and her child. Looking back at the hall, "Li Bashan" and the seven ferocious men had all returned to their original positions, with Black Heart Impermanence and Pockmarked Monk standing on either side, and only Poisonous Lady still standing.

The Poisonous Lady raised her willow-leaf eyebrows slightly, her peach-blossom eyes gleaming. After surveying the entire hall, she flattered, "You are all first-rate experts before the Dragon Lord, each possessing unique and astonishing skills. You are all seasoned veterans, having defeated countless formidable opponents..." At this point, the dozen or so Golden Dragon Brocade-clad experts all perked up, their fierce faces instantly transforming into expressions of arrogant self-confidence.

The Poisonous Lady smiled sinisterly and continued her flattery, "Today, your sudden timidity and discouragement are due to the news Senior He brought about Jiang Tiantao's performance at the 'Dragon Head Assembly.'"

"One-Eyed Shuttle" He Laomao's face darkened, and he immediately said in a deep voice, "I wasn't the only one who went to observe the Dragon Head Assembly..."

Before He Laomao could finish speaking, Poisonous Lady made a "wait a moment" gesture and said with a flattering smile, "Of course, Senior He's personal observation is certainly true, but we must know that even if Jiang Tiantao has extraordinary abilities, it's only because he's powerful alone; at most, he can only handle one person at a time. Our raid on Nine Palaces Fortress, however, was a six-pronged attack..."

It seemed that He Laomao already had a good impression of Poisonous Lady... Responding, he deliberately rolled his one eye and said dismissively, "But Jiang Tiantao isn't the only one in Jiugongbao. There's Ma Yunshan, who's famous throughout the land; Deng the Bald with his hundred-pound iron paddle; and the female disciple of the Golden Blind Nun and the Rainbow Dragon Girl..."

Poisonous Lady immediately smiled faintly, deliberately flattering One-Eyed Shuttle, and said, "None of these are worth worrying about. Tell me, Senior He, which of these people can withstand a single palm strike from the Dragon Lord? And which one can dodge Senior He's unerringly accurate steel shuttle?" Old He was very pleased to hear this and was speechless.

Leng Ping watched this unfold and muttered to herself, "Poisonous Lady's sharp tongue is indeed formidable."

Upon hearing this, Deng Lizhu immediately whispered contemptuously, "I'll cripple her martial arts skills first..." Before she could finish speaking, Poisonous Lady continued, looking slightly smug, "Therefore, I, Ren Yan, went to launch a sneak attack on New Year's Eve. Jiugong Fort was completely unprepared, and upon entering the fort, I immediately set it on fire, creating chaos..." Upon hearing this, Jiang Tiantao couldn't help but sneer. Fortunately, the snow was heavy and the wind was howling; otherwise, "Li Bashan" and the others would surely have overheard it.

Just then, Mu Jian "Li Bashan" excitedly laughed and said, "As soon as Jiang Tiantao retreats, we will immediately set off for Jiugongbao. Everything will proceed as planned." He paused, then turned to look at "Heixin Wuchang" and instructed, "You must immediately sneak back to Dingzhui Peak and lead the remaining six men down the mountain under cover of night. Go to Linfu Town and join forces with the reception staff at the 'Inn' to secretly ambush Jiang Tiantao and his men as they go down the mountain to buy food..."

Before Li Bashan could finish speaking, Heixin Wuchang immediately bowed and said in a panic, "Red Rascal and Zhang Baixian's acupoints have all been stunned by Jiang Tiantao. It seems to be a special technique, and I am unable to undo it." "

Li Ba Shan" and the others were not surprised, but the meticulous Poisonous Lady trembled, her face changing drastically. She blurted out, "You mean Jiang Tiantao went into the lookout room?"

Black Heart Impermanence hurriedly nodded, "Yes, yes, I was somewhat sober at that time. They seemed to have interrogated Red Rascal about the whereabouts of Lady Zhang and Young Master Zhang..."

Upon hearing this, Poisonous Lady's lips trembled slightly, her face turned ashen, and she stared blankly at the table, muttering to herself in despair, "Fine, Jiang Tiantao, you're really something. I, Zhang Lihua, have never submitted to anyone in my life. Today, I admit defeat..."

"Li Ba Shan" and He Laomao, along with dozens of Golden Dragon masters, were all bewildered and stunned, unable to understand why Poisonous Lady's expression had suddenly changed so drastically. Seeing Poisonous Lady's expression, Jiang Tiantao knew that she had concluded that the five of them had already infiltrated the stronghold, so he quickly waved a "ready" gesture to Leng Ping and the other three women.

The five men looked back into the hall and saw the thin Mr. Hong, who was looking at Poisonous Lady with disdain, shrugging and smiling, and saying sarcastically, "Just now, Lady Zhang was full of energy and spoke eloquently, even saying she was going to burn down 'Nine Palaces Fortress,' so why are you saying that Jiang Tiantao is more powerful than you now?"

Poisonous Lady Zhang Lihua said dejectedly, "If my judgment is not wrong, Jiang Tiantao and his men have already entered the main altar and gone to 'Pingyinlou'..."

"Libashan" seemed to have gained trust and appreciation for Poisonous Lady's witty judgment. His eyes flashed with a sharp light, and his expression changed drastically, showing great shock. The cunning and sly Mr. Hong chuckled coldly and said, "The entire headquarters is eerily silent. There are neither sirens nor shouts. Did that Jiang kid just fall from the sky?"

Poisonous Lady shook her head dejectedly and said, "Since Mr. Hong doesn't believe me, why don't you go to the garden and see for yourself?"

Just then, a glint flashed in the eyes of "Mountain-Puller," and he suddenly shouted, "Where are the Three Executioners?" Before he finished speaking, three of the seven ferocious men behind "Mountain-Puller" responded in unison, stepping forward and standing respectfully in a row.

Jiang Tiantao and his group of five stared intently. In the center was a man with red eyebrows and bulging eyes, a muscular back; to his right was a man with a tiger's head and a swallow's forehead, with a thorn hanging from his waist; and to his left was a hunchback. Rainbow Dragon Girl, after observing them, gestured to Jiang Tiantao and his companions, as if to say that these were likely the "Three Fiends" guarding the garden. Looking back at the hall, "Li Bashan" said in a deep voice to the "Three Fiends," "You three, quickly accompany Mr. Hong to the 'Pingyinlou' in the garden. If there's any movement, give a signal, and I'll arrive immediately." The

"Three Fiends" bowed simultaneously, responded in unison, and hurried past the long table on the right towards the front of the inner hall. The cunning Mr. Hong, seemingly not expecting "Li Bashan" to order him to inspect the garden, had already changed color, but thinking of the "Three Fiends'" protection, his courage swelled again. So, he steeled himself, stood up from his chair, glared resentfully at the Poisonous Woman, and said bitterly, "I, Hong Chongneng, just don't quite believe it." With that, he left his seat and walked directly towards the "Three Fiends" waiting at the front of the inner hall, waving impatiently outwards and walking angrily towards the outside of the hall.

Deng Lizhu, who had long intended to punish Mr. Hong, immediately raised her bow and nocked a bullet. At the same time, she whispered, "This old dog is dying right in front of us, and he doesn't even know..." Before she could finish the word "know," she let out a yelp, and the bowstring twanged, sending a silver bullet hurtling towards Mr. Hong, who was walking at the front.

The moment the bowstring twanged, the "Three Fiends" following behind Mr. Hong immediately became alert, shouting and retreating rapidly. "Poisonous Lady," known for her ruthless hidden weapons, saw this and, with lightning speed, flicked her wrist, throwing out a poisoned caltrop while simultaneously crying out in a shrill voice, "Mr. Hong..."

Mr. Hong, already somewhat apprehensive, knew something was wrong upon hearing the "Three Fiends'" shout. Then, the Poisonous Lady's alarming cry caused him to scream and turn to flee. Just as he turned to run, the poisonous caltrops the Poisonous Lady had fired struck the shoulder-shaped silver bullet shot by Deng Lizhu right behind him. With a soft clang, several silver-blue sparks flew through the air, and both the flat silver bullet and the poisonous caltrops fell to the ground in front of the hall. Deng Lizhu was startled, her expression momentarily stunned. She hadn't expected the Poisonous Lady to possess not only such exquisite concealed weapon skills but also such powerful wrist strength.

At that moment, a powerful shout suddenly rang out from inside the hall: "Who dares to attack us like this?"

With the shout, figures flashed, and "Mountain-Pulling Strength," He Laomao, the Poisonous Lady, and Upturned Nose, along with dozens of Golden Dragon masters, leaped out of the hall. Just as "Li Bashan" and the others rushed out of the hall, Jiang Tiantao and Leng Ping also leaped down from the flying pavilion and landed gracefully in front of the hall. Mr. Hong, who had been nearly hit by Deng Lizhu's shot, had already vanished without a trace, but the "Three Fiends" brothers, startled, were all enraged.

Upon seeing Jiang Tiantao and the four women, the three immediately became ferocious, their eyes bulging and their brows furrowing. They simultaneously let out a strange cry, drew their weapons, and flew towards Jiang Tiantao and his group. Leng Ping and the other three women were also enraged. With a sharp shout, they simultaneously withdrew their weapons, their swords flashing several times, and rushed towards the three fiends. Seeing that the three women, including "Rainbow Dragon Girl," had already made their move, Deng Lizhu had no choice but to stop and quickly retreat behind the imposing Jiang Tiantao. Zhu Caidie faced "Red Eyebrow Fiend," Leng Ping faced "Hunchback Fiend," and Rainbow Dragon Girl pounced on "Swallow Head Fiend."

"Mountain-Pulling Warrior," Poisonous Lady, and He Laomao, who had all leaped out of the hall, knew the power of Rainbow Dragon Girl and Zhu Caidie. Almost simultaneously, they shouted, "Come back!"

Before their shouts had even faded, amidst the figures crisscrossing the hall and the dazzling light, two terrified screams and a piercing wail rang out. Immediately afterward, two of the Three Fiends retreated rapidly, while one tumbled to the ground. Among the retreating figures, one covered his ear with his left hand. The one who tumbled to the ground was "Red-Eyebrow Fiend," his chest gushing blood like a spring, a large hole pierced by Zhu Caidie's longsword. The one who retreated rapidly, covering his ear with his left hand, was "Swallow-Head Fiend," whose left ear had been sliced off by Rainbow Dragon Girl's Qingfeng sword in a single exchange. Although "Hunchback Fiend" was uninjured, he retreated quickly upon hearing the commotion, and his double crutches were used skillfully, so he was not struck by Leng Ping's longsword. This also reveals the personalities and swordsmanship of the three women. Zhu Caidie is impetuous and ruthless; Rainbow Dragon Girl doesn't judge people by their appearance, so she only cuts off "Swallow Head Demon's" ear; Leng Ping is gentle, and naturally, her swordsmanship is inferior to Xiao and Zhu's. The dozen or so Golden Dragon masters standing behind "Mountain-Pulling Warrior" were all stunned by the astonishing swordsmanship and power of the three women.

Jiang Tiantao was eager to capture Poison Lady upon seeing her, but he feared that the embroidered garment might not be on her and would fall into "Mountain-Pulling Warrior's" hands. Even if he captured Poison Lady, "Mountain-Pulling Warrior" would still use the embroidered garment as a bargaining chip to exchange for her. Therefore, feigning composure, he bowed to Li Bashan and asked in a loud, smiling voice, "Old Master Shao, how have you been lately?"

Li Bashan, filled with fear and rage, glared at the corpse of "Red-Eyebrowed Fiend" before him. His old face turned ashen with anger, and he trembled violently. He had no heart to return the greeting. So, he raised his brows, his eyes flashing with sharp light, and said through gritted teeth, "Jiang Tiantao, before Jiugong Fortress, you tricked me and struck me with a palm. This grudge remains unresolved. Now you have killed my 'Execution Division,' and the blood debt between us will never be settled."

Jiang Tiantao smiled faintly, still calmly replying, "If Old Master Shao were to burn down my Jiugong Fortress, the debt between us would be even more impossible to settle."

Upon hearing "burned down Jiugong Fortress," Li Bashan knew that Jiang Tiantao and his four companions were already hidden on the flying pavilion. He was filled with shame and anger, and his teeth clenched in hatred as he said, "Hmph, I never imagined that the new lord of Jiugong Fortress would commit such a despicable act of eavesdropping!"

Jiang Tiantao chuckled calmly and said, "I originally intended to openly pay my respects, but I fear the old master would deny that this lowly servant, Poisonous Lady, was present. Without any witnesses, I would be at your mercy..."

Before Jiang Tiantao could finish speaking, Li Bashan suddenly roared, "You..." "What kind of person do you take me for?"

Jiang Tiantao sneered, then suddenly said in a deep voice, "Since you are not afraid of my coming to demand my person, why did you listen to the treacherous schemes of that vile maid, Poisonous Lady, and send out more guards to hold your ground, attempting to freeze me to death in this mountain?"

The iron-faced old man, whose strength could uproot mountains, suddenly turned red, and he said sharply, intending to change the subject, "Who is that vile maid? Who is that vile maid? You should know that Heroine Zhang is now my sworn sister, and Young Hero Zhang is my adopted son."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Tiantao couldn't help but laugh angrily. Zhu Caidie, who was quick to anger, immediately said hatefully from the side, "Brother Tao, why bother arguing with this old thief?"

Before she finished speaking, Jiang Tiantao had stopped laughing and said loudly, "Since the runaway maid is now the old master's adopted sister, I will not go too far. As long as you hand over the 'embroidered clothes' that my late mother embroidered, I will spare their lives for the sake of the old master." "

Li Bashan" sneered, saying contemptuously, "What you say is far too simplistic."

Jiang Tiantao raised his sword-like eyebrows, his eyes flashing with cold light, and suddenly asked sharply, "What do you think?"

"Li Bashan" also glared and said sharply, "Come with me to the back mountain for a duel. If you can withstand three moves of my 'Embroidered Robe,' I'll return it on the spot."

Jiang Tiantao had already seen through his treachery and immediately said hatefully, "Very well, I'm also looking forward to seeing what kind of inescapable trap you've laid to wipe out all thirty-three Dragon Leaders of the Dragon Head Assembly."

Upon hearing this, "Li Bashan" trembled all over, his face changing drastically. If this conspiracy were to leak out, the Shaolin Sect would surely issue a general order, leading the elite masters of thirty-three gangs to come and demand justice. At that time, his dream of dominating the martial arts world would not only be shattered, but he would also destroy the foundation of the five northern provinces and his life. With this thought in mind, a venomous intent arose within him. Tonight, he was determined to kill Jiang Tiantao and his four companions; he could not allow any of them to escape.

Seeing the shocked expression on "Li Bashan's" face, Jiang Tiantao suddenly had a flash of inspiration. He immediately smiled coldly and continued in a low voice, "However, before going to the back mountain, I must first check if 'Xiuyi' is on this lowly servant. Otherwise, I will not go to the back mountain to compete."

Having heard the reports from He Laomao and Heixin Wuchang, Li Bashan knew even more clearly that his skill was inferior to Jiang Tiantao's. To eliminate this formidable enemy, he could only rely on the plan devised by Master Hong in the back mountain. Hearing that Jiang Tiantao wouldn't go to the back mountain, he panicked and immediately turned to "Poisonous Lady" standing in his arms, urgently saying, "Sister, quickly take out the embroidered garment and let him see it!"

Poisonous Lady was no ordinary person; how could she not see Jiang Tiantao's hesitant attitude? If the embroidered garment were to appear, her life would be in immediate danger. However, if she didn't take out the embroidered robe, and Jiang Tiantao didn't go to the back mountain, and with no one to fight him, he would still be doomed. Weighing her options, she had no choice but to take out a small white silk pouch from the bag hanging under her left arm. But her sharp, peach-blossom eyes remained fixed on Jiang Tiantao. Upon seeing the "Poisonous Lady's" white silk pouch, Jiang Tiantao's eyebrows arched upwards, his starry eyes flashed with a cold light, and his whole body trembled slightly with excitement.

Zhu Caidie, Deng Lizhu, Leng Ping, and the Rainbow Dragon Girl, swords drawn and bows drawn, secretly gathering their strength, preparing to ambush the "Poisonous Lady." Even the dozens of Golden Dragon masters, including "Li Ba Shan" and He Laomao, watched in astonishment as the "Poisonous Lady" fumbled for the white silk pouch. It was already the dead of night, the wind was biting, and snow was falling heavily. The only sound in the entire hall was the piercing wind. Suddenly, the Poisonous Woman's hands trembled slightly, and a burst of light erupted, scattering colorful radiance, revealing a brocade robe adorned with pearls and gemstones of various colors.

Upon seeing the "embroidered robe," Jiang Tiantao could no longer contain his rage. He abruptly raised his hand, flicking it forcefully, and shouted, "You lowly servant, give it to me!" With that shout, he was already on his way to the hall.

From the moment Jiang Tiantao appeared, the Poisonous Woman's gaze had never left his hands, for she knew that a flick of his finger would be enough to kill her instantly. Therefore, she hadn't been careless while unpacking the small package. Seeing Jiang Tiantao raise his right hand, she instantly flashed behind a Golden Dragon expert with incredible speed. Just as the Poisonous Woman dodged, the Golden Dragon expert standing behind her let out a piercing scream, spun around, and collapsed, instantly dead.

"Li Bashan" immediately sensed danger, roared, and whirled around, channeling all his power into his palms as he lunged forward, shoving Jiang Tiantao. Though enraged, Jiang Tiantao knew of "Li Bashan's" innate strength. For the safety of Leng Ping and the other three women, he could only raise his arm and thrust out a palm, shouting urgently, "Sister Ping, retreat quickly!"

Just as his shout faded, the two incredibly powerful palm strikes collided with a deafening roar. Snowflakes swirled on the ground, icicles fell from the eaves, and the lights in the hall went out. Jiang Tiantao, worried about the safety of Leng Ping and the other three women, seized the opportunity to retreat rapidly. Poisonous Lady and "Li Bashan" on the steps were thrown into chaos, fleeing into the hall. Suddenly, a loud bang, and a hail of arrows rained down from the left and right side doors and the two side rooms, like a swarm of locusts, aimed at Jiang Tiantao, who had not yet landed.

Upon seeing this, Leng Ping and the other three women paled instantly. With a sharp cry, they lunged forward, swords drawn, forming a protective barrier around Jiang Tiantao as he landed. Arrows fired at him were either deflected or knocked away. Jiang Tiantao swiftly withdrew his "Lixing Sword," then looked up at the hall steps. Where were "Libashan" and the Poisonous Dragon King? Looking towards the side gates on either side of the hall, waves of archers surged forth like a tide. Enraged by the absence of "Poisonous Lady," Jiang Tiantao unleashed a murderous intent, shouting as he swung his sword at the archers pouring out from the right side gate. Rainbow Dragon Girl and Zhu Caidie also swung their swords at the left side gate, while Leng Ping remained stationary, flanking the attack. Deng Lizhu's flat silver bullets were already firing in rapid succession. In an instant, a bolt of lightning flashed, a cold light gleamed, screams filled the air, and arrows flew everywhere. The dozen or so archers in front were all decapitated, their heads rolling and corpses lying on the ground. The remaining archers, seeing this, cried out in alarm and turned to flee in panic.

Leng Ping, fearing that "Li Bashan" and the others had escaped far away, immediately shouted, "Brother Tao, hurry and chase after Li Bashan and Poison Lady!"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Tiantao immediately shouted, "Quickly, get to the roof ridge!" With a loud shout, he and the four women, Leng Ping and the others, moved as swiftly as swallows in flight, leaping onto the roof ridge of

the hall. As soon as the five of them reached the roof tiles, the archers fleeing from the side gates, under the orders of their leader, nocked their arrows and fired a barrage of arrows at the five of them. But just as Jiang Tiantao and the other four were climbing the towering roof ridge, suddenly several loud shouts came from behind the ridge, and more than a dozen people leaped out, each wielding a weapon, and rushed towards the five of them.

Jiang Tiantao, focused on chasing "Li Bashan," had no desire for a prolonged battle. He used his sword to deflect the barrage of arrows coming from behind, while simultaneously flicking his fingers. Leng Ping and Deng Lizhu, forming a blur of light and a curtain of arrows, protected Zhu Caidie and Rainbow Dragon Girl, allowing them to focus on the dozen or so experts rushing towards them. With each flick of Jiang Tiantao's finger, a person tumbled down the hall with a horrified scream, while Zhu Caidie and Rainbow Dragon Girl, with each swing of their swords, sent blood splattering and heads flying. Because those rolling down the hall's ridge were their own men, the archers in the courtyard ceased firing. With a volley of arrows, Deng Lizhu and Leng Ping immediately joined the fray, killing the remaining few who screamed and turned to flee, tumbling and rolling down the hall.

The five stopped and looked ahead. They saw dark figures dotting the ground, shouting, in waves of twenty or thirty men rushing towards them like a tidal wave. Upon seeing the waves of experts approaching, Leng Ping anxiously said, "Brother Tao, this is a delaying trap set by 'Li Ba Shan'! They're not only trying to stop our pursuit, but also trying to deplete our strength..." Before she could

finish, Zhu Caidie's almond-shaped eyes lit up. She pointed to a tall building to the north and angrily exclaimed, "Look! These people and archers are all the work of that old geezer!" Tian Tao and the others looked up and saw a thin figure behind the railing of the tall building to the north, gesturing and giving orders. It was Mr. Hong with the dog-tailed beard and reading glasses. Deng Lizhu,

seeing this, immediately said hatefully, "I won't be able to vent my anger until I kill this old dog!" "As he spoke, he drew his bow and released the slingshot. With a piercing thud, six silver streaks shot towards the thin, frail Mr. Hong, as swift as lightning.

The cunning, thin Mr. Hong, focused solely on directing the Red Dragon masters of the main altar to intercept Jiang Tiantao and his group in waves, had no idea that the Fiend Star had already claimed his life. Suddenly, he heard a hissing sound and turned his head in panic. At the same moment, the six cold stars were already upon him. Terrified, his soul nearly left his body, and with a piercing scream, he turned and fled. However, with a series of 'thuds,' three flat silver bullets struck his back of the chest and the back of the head. Before his scream was even finished, he staggered and collapsed. The countless waves of Red Dragon masters rushing towards them hesitated upon seeing Mr. Hong dead and 'Dragon Lord' and the others fleeing.

Jiang Tiantao and Leng Ping, seeing this, immediately brandished their swords and shouted 'Kill!' before leaping towards the oncoming group of masters." These Crimson Dragon experts, lured here by Mr. Hong, didn't know who had come to the main hall, but judging from "Li Ba Shan" rushing towards the back mountain and the Golden Dragon experts fleeing from the village to see what was happening, they concluded that the newcomer was no ordinary person. Jiang Tiantao and the five Rainbow Dragon Girls, aiming to repel the enemy and catch up with "Li Ba Shan" as quickly as possible, killed all the experts who rushed towards them. A flash of cold light was followed by screams of agony, weapons flew, blood splattered, and corpses rolled to the ground. The remaining Crimson Dragon experts

, seeing this, let out a shout and immediately fell into chaos. Jiang Tiantao and the other five, taking advantage of the chaos, leaped over rooftops and rushed towards the towering gate to the north. On the wall of the Gongzhai Gate, a group of guards, seeing the screams, shouts, and chaos coming from the direction of the main hall, also scattered. The five climbed the wall, but Lie Yan was nowhere to be seen. At this moment, the wind outside the village was particularly strong, and the thick snow fog completely obscured the mountain range behind the village. However, the surrounding peaks still reflected a hazy snowy light. Jiang Tiantao gathered his strength and focused his gaze, discovering what appeared to be a dozen or so blurry figures rushing northward at the saddle between the two peaks to the north.

Just then, Rainbow Dragon Girl also spotted the enemy, pointed, and shouted urgently, "They're there! Chase them!"

The five of them then leaped down from the village wall, each displaying their lightness skills, and gave chase. Because Leng Ping and Deng Lizhu's lightness skills were slightly inferior, Jiang Tiantao, Rainbow Dragon Girl, and Zhu Caidie dared not exert their full strength, lest they suffer a greater loss and an accident. Upon reaching the saddle between the two peaks, they found themselves at the mouth of a narrow valley. The strong, biting wind, carrying icy shards and snow fog, stung their hands and faces. Emerging from the narrow valley, they encountered a winding, precipice covered in thick snow. A dozen or so feet ahead, they could already see scattered, leaping figures. Jiang Tiantao and his group of five immediately recognized them as the less skilled Golden Dragon masters.

Deng Lizhu, while galloping, attempted to shoot those lagging behind with her slingshot, but Leng Ping stopped her. After a while, they were no more than five feet behind the lagging figures. The Golden Dragon masters, realizing Jiang Tiantao was closing in, fled towards the left-hand ridge. Fearing an ambush from behind, Jiang Tiantao immediately flicked his fingers, knocking out those behind him one by one, including Poisonous Lady's only son, Upturned Nose. In no time, the figures of Li Bashan and Poisonous Lady became indistinct, and they were seen running towards a suspension bridge spanning a deep ravine.

Jiang Tiantao, seeing this, knew something was wrong. He crouched low and moved with lightning speed, chasing after "Li Bashan," Poisonous Lady, and He Laomao.

Chapter 42: Escaping the Suspension Bridge.

Rainbow Dragon Girl, fearing for Jiang Tiantao's safety, immediately used her lightness skill to closely follow him. Leng Ping and Deng Lizhu, knowing they couldn't keep up, simply brought up the rear, rushing while keeping an eye on their movements. Once Jiang Tiantao unleashed his lightness skill, he was as swift as an arrow, leaving Rainbow Dragon Girl and Zhu Caidie seven or eight zhang behind in the blink of an eye. As he advanced, he looked again and saw that most of Li Bashan and Poisonous Lady had already reached the other side of the suspension bridge, while two of them were running along the cliff edge towards the northwest.

Fearing that Li Bashan would cut the suspension bridge, Jiang Tiantao exerted all his strength and charged towards it. Reaching the edge of the suspension bridge, about twenty zhang long, two Golden Dragon masters were still unable to reach the other side. Fearing that the last two would cut the rope bridge, Jiang Tiantao leaped onto it while secretly gathering his strength, preparing to unleash a powerful attack.

Rainbow Dragon Girl was startled to see Jiang Tiantao reach the bridge and cried out, "Brother Tao, you mustn't go!"

Just as Rainbow Dragon Girl cried out in alarm, Jiang Tiantao's two mid-level warriors were already launched into the air. The two Golden Dragon masters, who were only a few feet away from reaching the opposite cliff, let out two piercing screams and tumbled off the suspension bridge. These screams alerted "Li Bashan," Poisonous Lady, and He Laomao, who had already reached the other side, to Jiang Tiantao's sudden arrival. The three turned around and their expressions changed drastically. They saw Jiang Tiantao, wielding the Lixing Sword, had already crossed the suspension bridge, and Zhu Caidie and Rainbow Dragon Girl were close behind him. Leng Ping and Deng Lizhu, fearing someone might sabotage the bridge, stood guard at the edge of the cliff.

Jiang Tiantao rushed to the other side and surveyed the scene, discovering a flat-topped cliff, several tens of feet in diameter, shaped like a broken peak, with remarkably flat terrain. What made him most nervous and excited was that Poisonous Lady and Li Bashan, among others, were running frantically forward in a panic just twenty-seven or twenty-eight zhang away. Twenty or thirty zhang ahead of them, there was a rope bridge spanning a deep abyss, leading directly to the opposite cliff. Jiang Tiantao's heart tightened, and he blurted out sharply, "You lowly servant, quickly leave the embroidered robe behind!" With that shout, he suddenly quickened his pace.

Li Bashan turned around at the sound of his voice, his expression changing drastically. He cried out in alarm, "Miss Zhang, quickly drop the embroidered robe, or he'll catch up!" "

The Poisonous Lady, seeing that Chaotianbi hadn't followed, was already in a panic. Hearing Libashan urging her on, she had no choice but to throw the embroidered robe in her hand into the air. A gust of wind blew, and the robe unfurled with a whoosh, flashing with light and bursting with colorful brilliance, like a kite with a broken string, drifting straight towards the abyss. Jiang Tiantao, seeing this, was terrified. Ignoring the strong wind and danger, he leaped into the air near the abyss, heading straight for the embroidered robe and its hem.

The Rainbow Dragon Girl and Zhu Caidie, who had just crossed the suspension bridge, turned pale and were terrified at the sight, simultaneously screaming, 'No!' The word 'no' had barely left their lips when Jiang Tiantao was already airborne, simultaneously catching the fluttering embroidered robe. However, Jiang Tiantao's feet had already reached the edge of the southern cliff of the flat-topped peak." Upon seeing this, Rainbow Dragon Girl and Zhu Caidie cried out in fright and leaped towards the south cliff. At that critical moment, Jiang Tiantao, quick-witted, shouted and performed a "Cloud somersault," his body spinning like a rapidly turning windmill as he flipped upwards. After more than ten somersaults, he plummeted down the cliff edge, his toes barely touching the snow before leaping onto the flat ground, narrowly avoiding a collision with the onrushing Rainbow Dragon Girl and Zhu Caidie.

Seeing Jiang Tiantao escape danger, Rainbow Dragon Girl and Zhu Caidie breathed a sigh of relief, two crystal tears welling in their phoenix eyes. Jiang Tiantao, thinking only of Poisonous Lady and the others, casually handed the "embroidered robe" to Rainbow Dragon Girl, giving her a reassuring gesture. Looking around again, he saw no trace of Poisonous Lady, Li Bashan, or the others. Then, realizing something was wrong, she blurted out, "Oh no! Li Bashan and the others have crossed the bridge!"

As she spoke, Rainbow Dragon Girl and Zhu Caidie rushed towards the west cliff, with Rainbow Dragon Girl and Zhu Caidie following closely behind. She also said urgently, "This is the Poisonous Lady's cunning. She threw the embroidered robe into the air like that, forcing you to abandon them to chase after the 'embroidered robe.' This brief buffer time allows them to cross the bridge..." Before she finished speaking, a loud boom suddenly erupted from the edge of the west cliff. Before the echo of the boom had faded, a piercing scream suddenly came from the opposite cliff of the suspension bridge behind them.

Rainbow Dragon Girl and Zhu Caidie were both startled and abruptly stopped, crying out in unison, "Ah! Sister Ping and the others are in danger!"

Jiang Tiantao immediately urged, "You two go and see! That scream seems to be from a man." "Having said that, he turned and continued running towards the west cliff.

Zhu Caidie, impatient, waved to Rainbow Dragon Girl and said urgently, "You go with Brother Tao, I'll go check the east cliff..." Before she finished speaking, she had already leaped towards the east

cliff. Rainbow Dragon Girl, worried about Jiang Tiantao, turned and ran towards the west cliff. When she reached the edge of the cliff, she found Jiang Tiantao staring blankly down below. Upon closer inspection, she saw that the suspension bridge that had spanned the abyss was gone. Then, she suddenly realized that the loud crash she had heard must have been the sound of the suspension bridge being severed, crashing against the west cliff and then falling into the abyss.

Before she finished thinking, she suddenly heard a powerful laugh coming from the opposite cliff. Jiang Tiantao and Rainbow Dragon Girl looked up and saw several figures slowly rising from the rocks on the opposite cliff, a dozen feet away. Upon closer inspection, they saw Poisonous Lady, He Laomao, and Li Bashan, who was laughing triumphantly.

After laughing heartily, "Li Bashan" immediately declared in a sinister voice, "Jiang Tiantao, the lives of you five are now in my hands. With just one command, you will be reduced to blood and gore." He paused, then let out another cold laugh, continuing, "Boy, you five are already trapped like turtles in a jar. You should know that the suspension bridge on the East Cliff is also broken..."

Jiang Tiantao and "Rainbow Dragon Girl" were shocked, realizing they had fallen into "Li Bashan's" trap. Both were secretly furious, but neither of them believed the suspension bridge on the East Cliff was broken. They had only heard a loud crash, and Leng Ping and Deng Lizhu were both guarding the other side of the bridge. Jiang Tiantao's mind raced, and he immediately laughed loudly, "Li Bashan, you are cunning and calculating, but even you can miscalculate. You should know that I have already sent men to guard the bridgehead. You won't succeed tonight."

The Poisonous Lady and Li Bashan on the opposite cliff must have been shocked to hear this. Just then, a rapid whooshing sound of clothes breaking came from behind Jiang Tiantao. Jiang Tiantao and Rainbow Dragon Girl were startled to see who it was—Deng Lizhu and Leng Ping.

Rainbow Dragon Girl couldn't help but ask urgently, "Is the suspension bridge on the East Cliff broken? Where is Sister Butterfly?" As she spoke, Leng Ping and Deng Lizhu had already rushed to their side.

Leng Ping answered first, "Sister Die stayed on the East Cliff to guard the bridge; they almost cut it down."

Deng Lizhu's face turned ashen, and she snorted angrily, saying hatefully, "That old thief has such a vicious heart..."

Before she finished speaking, a triumphant laugh came from the opposite cliff from "Li Bashan," followed by a loud voice: "Jiang Tiantao, even if there's a bridge on the East Cliff, your five lives are still in danger. Before you die, I might as well tell you the truth, and I'm sure you won't be able to escape."

Hearing this, Deng Lizhu looked closely and saw He Laomao, Du Niangzi, and Li Bashan standing among the rocks on the opposite cliff. She immediately drew her bow and nocked a shot, saying hatefully, "That old dog ambushed someone on the East Bridge cliff; he almost succeeded..." Before the word "hand" was even out of her mouth, the bowstring twanged, and nine cold stars, accompanied by a sharp "hissing" sound, shot straight towards the opposite cliff.

Due to the excessive distance and speed, coupled with the strong wind and heavy snow, the silver bullet lost its incredible speed and force upon reaching the opposite cliff. Upon seeing this, "Li Ba Shan" laughed heartily, then swung his arm and unleashed a powerful palm strike, sending all the silver bullets crashing down the cliff. Deng Lizhu, seeing this, reached into her pouch to retrieve more bullets.

Leng Ping immediately gestured to stop her and urged Jiang Tiantao, "Brother Tao, we can't stay here any longer. We must leave quickly. If the suspension bridge on the east cliff is cut down, we'll surely freeze and starve here."

Jiang Tiantao had originally wanted to uncover "Li Ba Shan's" conspiracy to wipe out the leaders of the thirty-three sects, but after Leng Ping's reminder, he felt that since "Xiuyi" had been retrieved, there was no need to take any more risks. So, he hurriedly nodded and replied, "If we're going to leave, let's leave quickly. I have a feeling there's a conspiracy on this

flat roof." But just as he turned to leave, "Li Ba Shan"'s ferocious laughter came from the opposite cliff. At the same time, he said in a gloomy and mocking voice, "Jiang Tiantao, do you still want to leave? Haha, this 'Soul-Severing Cliff' was originally prepared as a burial ground for the thirty-three dragon heads of your Dragon Head Assembly. I didn't expect you to come and die first. Haha, as soon as I give the signal, the five of you will be instantly reduced to dust..."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Tiantao and the four Rainbow Dragon Girls were immediately enraged. They stared intently and saw "Li Ba Shan" on the opposite cliff with a vicious face and piercing eyes. He was holding a bamboo tube high in his hand, which was obviously the signal he was talking about. Just then, Deng Lizhu, standing beside him, snorted angrily, swiftly raised a flat silver bullet from her slingshot, and shot it straight at Libashan. Libashan, on the opposite bank, remained calm, deftly deflecting the bullet with a flick of his left hand, then burst into triumphant laughter.

Jiang Tiantao, though filled with rage, remained composed in the face of danger. A thought struck him, and he too laughed loudly, saying, "Libashan, don't be so smug! Before long, your stronghold will be reduced to ashes. Know that I have Wang Yanling and others outside, waiting to provide backup."

Upon hearing this, Li Bashan and the others immediately recalled the two young scholars they had discovered on Beiyun Peak, and were all startled. Just then, Poisonous Lady on the opposite cliff suddenly lit up her eyes and cried out in a shrill voice, "Oh no! Senior Shao, look!" With her cry, she pointed towards Li Bashan's main stronghold.

Jiang Tiantao and the four Rainbow Dragon Girls, for some reason, also unconsciously turned to look in the direction they had come from. What they saw drastically changed their expressions, and they all gasped in shock. Thick smoke billowed and flames flickered between the two peaks in the direction of Li Bashan's main stronghold; someone had indeed started a massive fire. In such a fierce and powerful mountain wind, even with ample water, let alone a lack of it, such a raging fire could not be extinguished.

Before the four could finish their thoughts, they suddenly heard the fierce roar of "Li Ba Shan" from the opposite cliff: "Jiang Tiantao, you burned down the magnificent stronghold I've painstakingly built over twenty years! I wish I could devour you and drink your blood! Tonight, even though I'll blast you five into mincemeat, I'll still go and burn your Nine Palaces Fortress to quell my hatred!"

Rainbow Dragon Girl and Leng Ping were shocked to hear the word "blast," concluding that "Li Ba Shan" must have planted a large amount of gunpowder in this Soul-Shattering Fortress. Just as Leng Ping and Rainbow Dragon Girl were about to urge everyone to escape, the enraged Jiang Tiantao suddenly snatched the vermilion slingshot from Deng Lizhu's hands. Just as Jiang Tiantao snatched the slingshot, a dazzling flame shot up from the bamboo tube in Li Bashan's hand with a "poof," shooting straight into the air...

Leng Ping and the Rainbow Dragon Girl cried out in unison, "Brother Tao, let's go!" The word "go" had barely left their lips when a spark exploded in mid-air. At the same moment the spark exploded in the air, a long, piercing scream suddenly echoed from the opposite cliff on the north side.

At this moment, Jiang Tiantao, enraged and determined to perish with Li Bashan and the others, had already attached an incomparably powerful "Heavenly Thunderbolt" to the slingshot and fired. A red light, swift as lightning, flashed and reached the rocks on the opposite cliff. Li Bashan, who had just fired the signal, suddenly heard the piercing scream from the north cliff, realized something was wrong, and froze. Just as "Poisonous Lady" and He Laomao were about to turn and flee, they suddenly noticed "Li Bashan" staring blankly at the northern cliff. They cried out in unison,

"Senior Shao, run! The Broken Soul Cliff is about to explode!" Before they finished speaking, a flash of red light, like lightning, appeared between the rocks.

Poisonous Lady knew something was wrong and screamed, "Senior Shao, something's wrong..." Before the word "good" could even finish, a deafening roar erupted, sending rocks flying and shards scattering through the air. Screams and screams filled the air as blood and flesh flew everywhere. The once-powerful "Li Bashan," the cunning and ruthless He Laomao, and Poisonous Lady had thus ended their wicked lives.

Rainbow Dragon Girl, Deng Lizhu, and Leng Ping, standing behind Jiang Tiantao, were all stunned by this earth-shattering, awe-inspiring spectacle that shook the surrounding peaks. They considered themselves the ones who knew Jiang Tiantao best, especially Rainbow Dragon Girl. Yet, in this life-or-death moment, they were unaware of the astonishingly powerful hidden weapon in his heart.

Just then, from the direction of the east suspension bridge, Zhu Caidie's sharp cry suddenly rang out. Leng Ping and the other two were startled, and Jiang Tiantao blurted out, "Sister Die, someone's attacking from that side! We have to go!" With that urgent cry, the four of them simultaneously rushed towards the east cliff…

Just as Jiang Tiantao leaped forward, a panicked cry suddenly came from the east cliff: "Is that Miss Zhu? We have to go quickly! The young master and the others are in danger!"

Rainbow Dragon Girl, in the midst of her leap, upon hearing the familiar voice from the east cliff, immediately cried out in surprise and confusion, "Ah, that's Sister Ying!"

Jiang Tiantao and Deng Lizhu also realized… The voice sounded somewhat like that of Fu Liying, the "Golden Hairpin." The two had no time to ponder how Fu Liying had arrived, and simultaneously exclaimed, "Let's go quickly!" Before they

finished speaking, Zhu Caidie's surprised voice came from the eastern cliff: "Ah, you...you are Sister Liying?"

It was Fu Liying's anxious voice: "Miss Zhu, let's go quickly..."

Upon hearing this, Rainbow Dragon Girl immediately looked towards the eastern cliff and cried out joyfully, "Sister Ying, we are all safe and sound!" In the blink of an eye, they were not far from the eastern cliff, and at the same time, they spotted two figures rushing towards them on the suspension bridge.

Reaching the edge of the bridge, Jiang Tiantao stopped first, staring intently. The first person was indeed Fu Liying, the female leader of the "Three Hairpins Gang," and the second was Zhu Caidie. Fu Liying, with a cream-colored scarf tied around her head and wearing a beige long gown, carrying a golden sword in her right hand, rushed over as if flying, calling out repeatedly, "Zhenmei, Zhenmei, are you alright?"

Rainbow Dragon Girl immediately replied cheerfully, "Sister Ying, look, my little sister and Brother Tao are perfectly fine, aren't we?" As she spoke, Fu Liying and Zhu Caidie arrived one after the other.

Jiang Tiantao and the four Rainbow Dragon Girls stepped forward to greet Fu Liying. Upon seeing that Jiang Tiantao and the four Rainbow Dragon Girls were indeed safe and sound, she asked in surprise, "That loud thunderclap just now, wasn't it you..."

Rainbow Dragon Girl immediately interrupted, "That was 'Libashan' and the others..."

Before she could finish speaking, Fu Liying's expression changed drastically, and she blurted out urgently, "Oh no, we have to cross the bridge quickly." To buy time, Fu Liying first crossed the suspension bridge and headed straight for the opposite cliff.

Jiang Tiantao, Rainbow Dragon Girl, and the others understood and followed suit. Upon reaching the opposite cliff, Fu Liying, her movements unsteady, pointed due north and urgently said, "Come with me quickly!" As she spoke, she circled around the cliff edge to the north.

Jiang Tiantao and the other four sensed something was amiss and used their lightness skills to closely follow behind Fu Liying. Upon reaching the north side, they saw a small, inconspicuous stone house amidst a pile of rocks. Fu Liying darted into the house first. Jiang Tiantao and the others followed suit. Inside, the first thing they saw was a corpse lying in a pool of blood. Judging from the insignia on the person's chest, it was clearly a Golden Dragon master. Looking inside, apart from a pile of snow in the corner, there was nothing else in the room. After

looking around, Fu Liying immediately said with relief, "Thank goodness, no one else will come here." Jiang

Tiantao, with his extraordinary wisdom, already vaguely understood what was going on, but he still couldn't help asking in confusion, "Sister Liying, could you tell me...?"

Seeing that Jiang Tiantao also called her "sister," Fu Liying's alabaster cheeks suddenly flushed red. Taking the opportunity, she sighed and said, "It's truly fortunate that we arrived half a day late; that old scoundrel Shao had already succeeded." Saying this, she hurried to the corner of the wall, squatted down, and parted the snow, immediately revealing a gunpowder rope as thick as a child's arm. Then she exclaimed, "Look!"

Jiang Tiantao had already anticipated the possible outcome, so he wasn't particularly surprised. However, Zhu Caidie and Rainbow Dragon Girl were both pale with shock. Rainbow Dragon Girl was the first to ask in confusion, "Sister Ying, how did you know about 'Libashan's' conspiracy and come to save us?"

Fu Liying sighed and said, "In that sense, it can't be considered fate. Let's sit down and talk." "As she spoke, she pointed to another corner of the wall, where Zhu Caiyi and Deng Lizhu took the opportunity to carry the corpses off the ground outside and throw them into the abyss below the cliff.

As soon as Jiang Tiantao and the other four were seated, Fu Liying immediately began to recount: "On the evening of the day the Dragon Head Assembly at Xingzi Mountain ended, we received a messenger from the head of the Yu Hall of Neifang Mountain, only to learn that Poisonous Lady and her son had fled to 'Liba Mountain.' Xiangmei, wanting her brother Lie Yatao to know as soon as possible about Poisonous Lady and her son's escape, immediately rode to the camp at Jiugong Fort to report the news..."

At this point, Zhu Caidie suddenly asked with concern: "I heard that Sister Ying came here with two people, is that Sister Xiang?"

Fu Liying immediately nodded and said: "Yes..."

Rainbow Dragon Girl couldn't help but ask urgently: "Where is Sister Xiang?"

Fu Liying said: "She is going to lure the people from 'Liba Mountain' away, and has already gone to set fire to the main camp of Liba Mountain."

Jiang Tiantao was shocked to hear this and couldn't help but ask with concern: "Should we go and see her?" Fu Liying said without hesitation, "

No need. The fire is already lit, and she'll probably be back soon." Upon hearing this, Jiang Tiantao naturally decided not to insist on going.

Fu Liying continued, "That night, not long after Xiangmei left, Neifang Mountain sent another leader to deliver the brothers who had infiltrated 'Liba Mountain' to the Xingzi Mountain camp."

Upon hearing this, Rainbow Dragon Girl immediately interjected, "Was it Liao Zhongben or Lu Zhicheng?"

Fu Liying nodded slightly and said, "It was Liao Zhongben. He said that for the past six months, 'Liba Mountain' had been digging a tunnel on one side of a broken peak in the back mountain, while secretly sending people to purchase large quantities of gunpowder from firecracker manufacturers in the five northern provinces. Initially, Liao Zhongben and Lu Zhicheng didn't pay much attention, but later they discovered that 'Liba Mountain' was storing large quantities of gunpowder in this broken peak outside the house, and they realized that there must be something fishy going on."

As Fu Liying spoke, she pointed to the outside of the stone house and continued, "It is said that there are more than a dozen long, round chambers shaped like firecrackers carved into this broken peak outside the door, all filled with gunpowder, especially on the side closest to the north cliff." "

Jiang Tiantao immediately interjected, "I think the side facing north must be reserved for seats of various sects, so they filled it with more gunpowder to make it more powerful."

Fu Liying sighed, "If I hadn't overheard the conversation between 'Li Ba Shan' and Brother Tao, I really wouldn't have known that this old thief had long harbored ambitions to dominate the martial arts world. Because, although Liao Zhongben and Lu Zhicheng tried every means to find out, they still didn't know Li Ba Shan's true purpose. However, they were certain that this was no small matter, so they hurriedly sent someone back to report to me. When I heard this news, I only concluded that it was a trap that 'Li Ba Shan' had planted in the mountains, and I didn't pay too much attention to it."

Fu Liying paused, looked at Jiang Tiantao with gentle eyes, and continued, "However, Sister Xiang came back at dawn and said that you had already set off for here."

Upon hearing Fu Liying's words, Jiang Tiantao understood the purpose of her and Huangfu Xiang's overnight journey to Yantong Mountain. He hurriedly expressed his gratitude, saying, "Sister Ying put aside important matters of the gang and came to the northern frontier to save us overnight. This kindness and gratitude are truly appreciated..." Rainbow

Dragon Girl's intelligence stirred, and before Jiang Tiantao could finish speaking, she immediately smiled and said, "I wonder how to repay you, don't you?"

Jiang Tiantao blushed and nodded repeatedly, saying solemnly, "Yes, yes..." Leng Ping, Zhu Caidie, and Deng Lizhu also took the opportunity to thank him profusely. Although

Fu Liying was dressed in men's clothing with a square scarf and a yellow shirt, her youthful beauty was undiminished. Seeing Zhen Meimei's blatant question, her face turned bright red, and she hurriedly smiled humbly, saying, "It's nothing, how could I dare to ask for anything? I heard Xiang Mei's words and was afraid that 'Libashan' might use this broken peak as a place to fight if they were no match for Brother Tao. So, Xiang Mei and I had Liao Zhongben draw out the path into the mountain and the location of the broken peak, and then we rushed over."

Zhu Caidie looked at Fu Liying and smiled, saying, "Sister Ying and Sister Xiang climbed Beiyun Peak and took over the lookout post. That pockmarked monk went back to report to 'Libashan,' and they couldn't guess who the two young men were."

Fu Liying smiled and said, "Xiangmei and I discussed it before we came. To make things easier and avoid being discovered by 'Libashan's' spies too early, we changed into men's clothing." As she spoke, she asked, puzzled, "Brother Tao, did you just tell 'Libashan' that Sister Wang has been communicating with you outside?" Jiang

Tiantao smiled without hesitation and said, "That was a lie. Actually, I meant Sister Ying..." Fu Liying was suddenly unaware of Jiang Tiantao's meaning. Her heart skipped a beat, and her face flushed red, the blush reaching her ears. Jiang Tiantao

panicked when he saw this and quickly changed his words, saying, "I didn't really mean that Sister Ying is Sister Ling. I just meant that I imagined Sister Ying to be Sister Ling." Upon hearing this, Leng Ping, Zhu, and Deng couldn't help but burst into laughter.

Seeing Jiang Tiantao's handsome face flushed and beaded with sweat, the Rainbow Dragon Girl knew he had misspoke and could only chuckle, explaining for him: "When Sister Ying and Sister Xiang arrived at Beiyun Peak, we were on the pavilion opposite the main hall. Everyone was quite surprised. Just now, Brother Tao wanted to distract 'Libashan,' so he pretended that Sister Wang Yanling was responding outside. What Brother Tao was referring to was Sister Ying, but Brother Tao didn't know that the boy in yellow was Sister Ying."

The Rainbow Dragon Girl finished explaining in one breath, gazing at Jiang Tiantao with affection, and asked sweetly with a smile, "Is that what you mean, little sister?"

Jiang Tiantao, flustered and not paying attention, could only nod gratefully, saying, "Yes, yes, thanks to your clever tongue, Sister Zhen. If it were up to me, I really wouldn't have been able to explain it clearly in a short time."

Seeing Fu Liying's silence and the worry etched on her brows, Deng Lizhu immediately changed the subject, asking, "Sister Ying, we all come from the southern foothills, so how did you end up climbing Beiyun Peak?" Fu

Liying smiled gracefully and said, "Because Liao Zhongben drew me a map to find this broken peak. It's at the foot of Beiyun Peak; once you find Beiyun Peak, you'll find this Broken Soul Cliff."

Zhu Caidie asked in confusion, "How did Sister Ying know that the fire's ignition point was hidden in this stone house?"

Fu Liying smiled and said, "This was also reported by Liao Zhongben. As soon as Xiangmei and I arrived here, Xiangmei decided to set fire to the 'Libashan' stronghold first. I stood behind the house for a while, and then I saw two people running towards us from a distance..."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Tiantao immediately recalled that when he was chasing after the "Libashan" group, he had seen two fast-moving figures running northwest. Fu Liying must be referring to those two people. As she pondered this, she heard Fu Liying continue, "Of the two who came running, one of them waved a hand and ran straight towards the east cliff..."

Deng Lizhu immediately snorted and complained, "Hmph, it must be the one who secretly went to cut the bridge."

Fu Liying nodded slightly and said, "It's very likely that person, because just as the other person arrived near the stone house, a scream came from the direction of the east cliff. The person who came to light the fire was startled and stared blankly at the east cliff for a long time before cleverly entering the house. At that time, I was hiding behind the house and observing the person's movements through the round window. The first thing that person did upon entering the house was to lift up the square stone in the corner of the wall." Fu Liying pointed to the fire line in the corner of the wall as she spoke.

Zhu Caidie immediately asked, puzzled, "The fire line is most vulnerable to dampness, so why did they put a pile of snow on it?"

Upon hearing this, Fu Liying smiled charmingly and then said with a laugh, "I put it there. While that person went out to check the situation, I immediately scooped up a handful of snow, quietly sneaked into the house, and put the snow on the fire line."

Deng Lizhu asked, puzzled, "Sister Ying, how come that person didn't notice you coming in?"

Fu Liying explained, "That person quietly stood by the large rock on the cliff edge, staring intently at the dark west, paying close attention to 'Libashan' and Tao's conversation. At that time, I also hid near him until 'Libashan' released the flames, and that person leaped into the vicinity of the stone house. Only then did I realize that he was standing on the cliff edge waiting for the signal to light the fire." "She paused, her delicate brows furrowing slightly. She glanced at Jiang Tiantao with a hint of deep affection, then continued with a gentle, slightly reproachful smile, 'That thunderous roar truly terrified me. I feared there might be other fires elsewhere. Only after seeing you, Brother Tao, did I feel at ease.' As she spoke, her phoenix eyes softened as she looked at Jiang Tiantao, asking kindly, 'Brother Tao, what kind of hidden weapon did you use just now?'

Jiang Tiantao, seeing Fu Liying's expression and gaze, felt a chill run down his spine. He had experienced this kind of demeanor and look far too often; it made him extremely uneasy. Upon being asked, he shook his head awkwardly, saying, 'Sister Ying, please forgive my rudeness. Only my father knows about this kind of hidden weapon. Moreover, the person who used it years ago seems to have had some grudge against our fortress. Due to the time constraints, my father hasn't had time to tell me, so I don't know much about it myself.'

Fu Liying immediately smiled humbly and said, 'Since you don't know, you can tell me later when you do.' "

Leng Ping, who had remained silent until now, but had been concerned about Huangfu Xiang's safety, seized the opportunity to remind him, "Miss Huangfu has been gone for so long, she should be back soon." Jiang

Tiantao, knowing Leng Ping was trying to help him out, immediately agreed, "Let's go check on her, just in case anything goes wrong." Hearing this, everyone stood up, agreeing in unison.

Rainbow Dragon Girl's heart stirred; she pointed to the fuse in the corner, saying anxiously, "If the fuse isn't removed, it will be discovered by the villains and will still harm people."

Deng Lizhu immediately suggested, "Sister Die's lightness skill is the best; let her stay here to light the fire, and we'll leave first..."

Jiang Tiantao, fearing that Zhu Caidie's impatience might cause trouble, suggested, "I'll handle it here; you can go with Sister Ying first."

Everyone nodded in agreement and headed outside. Before they even stepped out of the stone house, they saw that the snow-covered peaks near and far outside were already painted pink. Everyone was startled and leaped outside, turning to look east. Their expressions changed drastically. Between two peaks, flames soared into the sky, the red light dazzling, both peaks painted with a terrifying red glow.

Jiang Tiantao was alarmed and anxiously said, "Judging from this, it's already a raging fire! Why hasn't Sister Xiang returned yet?" Hearing this, Fu Liying and Rainbow Dragon Girl also panicked.

Leng Ping quickly said, "Brother Tao, we'll wait for you between the two peaks in the narrow valley. We're leaving now." With that, she and Fu Liying and the others used their lightness skills to rush towards the valley entrance.

Jiang Tiantao was equally worried about the safety of "Silver Hairpin" Huangfu Xiang. Before Fu Liying and the others had disappeared from sight, he leaped into the stone house. He first withdrew his Lixingjian sword, gently trimming the snow-dampened part of the tinder. Then, he lit the existing embers and quickly placed them on the tinder. The tinder immediately hissed and sparked upon contact with the embers, burning rapidly and with terrifying force. In the blink of an eye, the shooting sparks disappeared. Jiang Tiantao was startled. He put away his Lixingjian sword, leaped out of the house, and used his lightness skills to speed towards the two peaks engulfed in flames. While speeding, he noticed that "Upturned Nose," who had been knocked down earlier, was still lying in the snow. He quickly stopped and leaped towards him. Jiang Tiantao felt that Poisonous Lady was guilty, but "Upturned Nose" was innocent. So he reached out and slapped Upturned Nose's vital point, only to be shocked. He hadn't expected that Upturned Nose's body was already stiff.

Just then, from the northeast, a rapid whooshing sound of clothes tearing through the air suddenly came. Jiang Tiantao was startled, immediately remembering the impending explosion at Soul-Severing Cliff. In alarm, he leaped up, using all his strength, moving as fast as a wisp of smoke, rushing straight towards the narrow valley entrance. As Jiang Tiantao flew, he instinctively turned his head to look northeast. To his dismay, he saw nothing, but what he saw next horrified him. He staggered, almost falling off the cliff. In the swirling snow mist to the northeast, a faintly flashing bright shadow, slightly reddish in the light of the shooting sparks, was flying towards the small stone house on the north cliff with the speed of an arrow.

Jiang Tiantao recognized the figure immediately. Ignoring his own safety, he turned and galloped back towards the stone house, shouting urgently, "Sister Xiang, stop! Sister Xiang, stop!" But the figure was already almost at the small stone house on the north cliff.

Jiang Tiantao's urgent shout did indeed stop Huangfu Xiang, who was rushing towards the house. Huangfu Xiang, with a square scarf tied around her head and wearing a silver satin robe, abruptly stopped, her bright almond-shaped eyes looking in their direction with surprise. Clearly, due to the swirling snow mist and Jiang Tiantao's hoarse shout, Huangfu Xiang, in the midst of her flight, seemed not to recognize him at first.

Jiang Tiantao, who had just leaped into the air, called out again in a loud voice, "Sister Xiang, come here quickly, come here quickly!"

Huangfu Xiang recognized Jiang Tiantao and was both surprised and delighted. But when she heard his urgent call, she knew something was wrong, so she responded and rushed over. But she was still concerned about her elder sister Fu Liying's whereabouts, so as she sped along, she called out urgently, "Where is Sister Ying?"

Jiang Tiantao saw Huangfu Xiang rushing off and immediately stopped, replying urgently, "They've all left first."

Upon hearing that they had all left, Huangfu Xiang's heart leaped with joy, concluding that Jiang Tiantao was waiting for her there. She feigned ignorance and asked affectionately, "Brother Tao, why haven't you left?"

Jiang Tiantao wished Huangfu Xiang could sprout wings and fly to his side to quickly leave this dangerous place. Hearing the question, he could only anxiously and impatiently shout, "I stayed here alone to light the fuse, so I didn't leave."

Upon hearing "light the fuse," Huangfu Xiang was startled, her beautiful face instantly changing. She let out a delicate cry and immediately sped up. Just as Huangfu Xiang accelerated, a dazzling red light flashed across the Soul-Severing Cliff opposite the abyss, followed by a terrifying explosion. Rocks flew, thick smoke rose into the air, the earth shook, and the peaks trembled. Snow piled on the trees and peaks fell in droves, swirling and scattering across the sky in the strong night wind. Especially terrifying was the deafening roar that shook the mountains, accompanied by the whistling of flying rocks, making one's heart race, head throb, and breath feel suffocating.

Jiang Tiantao instinctively held his breath and covered his ears, lunging towards a boulder. But just as he covered his ears and dodged, a terrified scream suddenly rang out from the snow and mist twenty feet away. Jiang Tiantao was startled and quickly looked up, seeing Huangfu Xiang rushing towards him. He stumbled several steps, falling flat on his face on the snow. This shock was immense. With a shout, he mustered all his strength and leaped towards Huangfu Xiang. At this moment, the terrifying roar had ceased, but the echoes of muffled thunder and the whistling of falling rocks reverberated throughout the mountains.

Jiang Tiantao had no time to consider the consequences of a massive boulder weighing tens of kilograms crashing down on him from a height of tens of meters. His only thought was to rescue Huangfu Xiang. He leaped to Huangfu Xiang, who was lying prone in the snow, and without a second glance, scooped her delicate body up in his arms, quickly hiding behind a strange rock.

At that moment, a series of thuds and sparks flew from the rock and the ground nearby. A hail of pebbles rained down from the sky, a terrifying and horrifying sight. Fortunately, Jiang Tiantao held Huangfu Xiang tightly against the inner wall of the hollow, and was safe. After the terrifying rain of stones subsided, only the echoing sounds of distant peaks and nearby valleys remained.

Jiang Tiantao, undoubtedly shaken, finally remembered to check on the "silver hairpin" Huangfu Xiang in his arms. Looking down, his expression changed instantly. He saw Huangfu Xiang's eyes were closed, her face pale, her cherry lips, devoid of color, tightly shut. She tried to breathe through her nose, but it was barely a whisper. Jiang Tiantao panicked at the sight. He concluded that Huangfu Xiang had fainted from the shock. He had been tricked by Huangfu Xiang in the pine forest of Xingzi Mountain, and thus still harbored some suspicion towards her. However, based on the circumstances of her fainting, it didn't seem like a pre-arranged trap. He quickly extended his right palm and lightly patted Huangfu Xiang's vital point, but she didn't wake up.

Jiang Tiantao was greatly alarmed, concluding that Huangfu Xiang must have been struck by flying debris. In his anxiety, he unconsciously touched Huangfu Xiang's slender waist and ribs. Just then, from the swirling snow mist heading east, a rapid rustling of clothes suddenly came. Jiang Tiantao was startled and quickly looked up. Through the firelight between the two peaks, he saw five figures moving with lightning speed towards him. At the same time, he heard frightened and anxious cries: "Brother Tao!"

"Brother Tao!"

"Brother Tao, where are you?"

Because of the distance, Jiang Tiantao couldn't tell who was calling, but he knew from the urgent cries that Fu Liying and the Rainbow Dragon Girl had returned. Jiang Tiantao had no time to think. He picked up the unconscious Huangfu Xiang and flew forward to meet them. At the same time, he anxiously shouted, "I'm here! Sister Xiang is here too!"

As he shouted, he focused his eyes and saw five figures. Ten pairs of eyes lit up at the same time, and they turned to meet them, their speed seemingly increasing. The two sides flew towards each other, their speed becoming even more astonishing. As Jiang Tiantao flew, he looked closely and saw Fu Liying and Leng Ping, all of whom looked anxious but also surprised. They must have heard that Huangfu Xiang was with them. As the distance between them gradually closed, Fu Liying and the other four noticed that Huangfu Xiang was being held in Jiang Tiantao's arms.

Rainbow Dragon Girl's phoenix eyes lit up first, and she exclaimed, "Sister Xiang!" With that exclamation, she moved with the speed of a wisp of smoke, arriving before him in the blink of an eye.

Jiang Tiantao knew the deep bond between the three sisters and was afraid that Fu Liying and Rainbow Dragon Girl would be overly agitated. As soon as Rainbow Dragon Girl rushed forward, he immediately cried out in comfort, "Sister Xiang is..." Before

he could finish, Rainbow Dragon Girl, her face pale and swollen, had already embraced Huangfu Xiang, tears streaming down her face.

She shook Huangfu Xiang repeatedly, calling out, "Sister Xiang, Sister Xiang..." At this moment, Fu Liying, Leng Ping, Zhu Caidie, and Deng Lizhu also rushed forward, surrounding Jiang Tiantao. Upon seeing Huangfu Xiang in Jiang Tiantao's arms, her face sallow and her lips blue, Zhu Caidie, Deng Lizhu, and Leng Ping all asked anxiously, "What happened?"

"What's wrong with Sister Xiang?" Amidst anxious voices, one checked her breath, the other felt her pulse; one looked at her eyes, the other clutched her chest—a chaotic scene unfolded.

Only Fu Liying, her eyes brimming with tears, suppressed her panic, hastily removing her yellow satin jacket and covering Huangfu Xiang's body, saying in a hurried, low voice, "Zhenmei, quickly take off your sword cloak."

At this reminder, "Rainbow Dragon Girl," Zhu Caidie, and Deng Lizhu all removed their sword cloaks and hurriedly covered Huangfu Xiang's delicate body. At the same time, Rainbow Dragon Girl and Leng Ping also took Huangfu Xiang from them. Seeing Fu Liying's composure and insight, Jiang Tiantao finally understood why she, a woman, could lead nearly ten thousand heroes of the Three Beauties Gang. He also suddenly remembered the people with upturned noses who had collapsed in the snow, their bodies already stiff in moments.

In the blink of an eye, Fu Liying and the others had already begun wrapping Huangfu Xiang's delicate body in sword cloaks. Looking down again, he noticed that Huangfu Xiang's fair face, indeed, had turned ashen, her lips bluish, and her cheeks were bloodless. Jiang Tiantao panicked at the sight, but there was nothing he could do. He could only stare blankly as the four women wrapped Huangfu Xiang's body, even covering it with cloth. In this situation, explaining why Huangfu Xiang had fainted was no longer the time, as it would not only distract Fu Liying and the others but also delay their careful wrapping. Looking again, he noticed that Fu Liying was only wearing a light pink velvet blouse and a pink woolen vest, tightly covering her prominent breasts. However, a trace of fragrant sweat glistened on the tip of her delicate nose and between her rounded, fair temples.

As they were observing, Zhu Caidie and Deng Lizhu simultaneously suggested anxiously, "Sister Ying, let's go to the stone house to rescue Sister Xiang."

Fu Liying, however, shook her head humbly and resolutely, saying, "No, we should go to the 'Libashan' stronghold." Before she finished speaking, tears streamed down her face, and carrying Huangfu Xiang, the "Rainbow Dragon Girl" led the way towards the two peaks engulfed in flames.

Only then did Fu Liying look at Jiang Tiantao, saying humbly and calmly, "Let's go too."

Jiang Tiantao had nothing to say, closely following behind Fu Liying and the other three women, rushing forward. For some reason, he felt somewhat neglected. With a slight flick of his sleeve, he immediately moved to Fu Liying's side and whispered, "Sister Ying..."

Fu Liying gave a soft "hmm," turned to look at Jiang Tiantao, and said with a kind smile, "Have you been wronged?"

Jiang Tiantao was startled, his handsome face instantly turning red. He couldn't help but think to himself, "Wow, that's impressive!" He hadn't expected Fu Liying's beautiful eyes to see right through him. In a flash, he quickly explained, "I wanted to tell you what happened earlier."

Fu Liying knew Jiang Tiantao wasn't being honest, so she could only smile kindly and say, "After we revive Xiang-mei, we can talk about it in detail." As she spoke, she pointed to the area between the two peaks engulfed in flames.

Jiang Tiantao nodded in agreement. Looking up, he saw the majestic, towering stockade in the distance, illuminated by the firelight, glowing a blood-red hue, a terrifying sight. Although the panicked shouts and cries from within the engulfed stronghold were clearly audible, there was no one to be seen on the entire wall. As they approached the wall, the screams and cries from within became increasingly clear, but it was obvious to everyone that they weren't fighting a fire.

Jiang Tiantao and Fu Liying, fearing someone might be on the wall, leaped into the air, landing on either side of the wall. Rainbow Dragon Girl, despite carrying Huangfu Xiang, easily leaped over the more than four-zhang-high wall. Zhu Caidie, Leng Ping, and Deng Lizhu, who followed closely behind, were all astonished by Rainbow Dragon Girl's incredible lightness skill, seeing her leap up while carrying someone.

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