Chapter 4, The Hero in His Youth

Several months ago, the leader of Emei, Master Feng Ling, passed away, bequeathing the position of leader to a female disciple known by the Dharma name "Miejue." Due to Master Miejue being only in her twenties, many in the martial world regarded this with skepticism. At this time, Xiahou Qing heard that Yang Xiao had provoked Gu Hongzi, thereby undermining the reputation of the Emei sect, yet he felt no surprise at all. His only concern was the fate of the Heaven-Subduing Sword.

Su Ye waited for him to finish speaking, then calmly extended his hand, gently breaking off a branch with tender buds, and smiled, "Your Excellency possesses great martial skills, why must you come to ask me? Can't you find it yourself?"

Su Ye had great trust in him and saw no need to conceal his identity from Yang Xiao. Noticing that only the two of them remained in the hall, he said: "This person is still quite young, yet his martial arts skills are exceptionally high, having absorbed the strengths of various schools, making him capable of surpassing the renowned masters within the orthodox sect. If I am not mistaken, he recently challenged Gu Hongzi of the Emei Sect. Gu Hongzi borrowed the Heavenly Sword from the Emei Sect's leader to face him, but ultimately lost to him."

Xiahou Qingdao: "Yes"

The two individuals fought increasingly faster, and in the blink of an eye, they exchanged dozens of moves. Yang Xiao, as a rising star of the Ming Cult, possessed martial skills comparable to those of the Eagle King and Lion King, yet he found himself compelled to attack instead of defend, falling into a disadvantageous position.

Su Ye smiled instead of being startled, and said calmly: "Our gang's members are but a bunch of insignificant characters, and who are those on the opposite side that we do not recognize? It is Yang Shao from the Ming Sect, Mr. Yang. I, Su, have been waiting for you for a long time."

Upon seeing his attire, Su Ye recalled that Yang Xiao loved to wear scholar's robes and continued to dress like a scholar even in old age. She couldn't help but smile faintly and said calmly, "You chose not to enter through the main door, but instead sneaked into the branch of the Twelve Linked Forts. You certainly have quite a bit of audacity"

Xiahou Qing truly lives up to her selection as the deputy leader, having completely forgotten about Yang Xiao, and promptly followed up with, "Since the Heaven-Subduing Sword is the property of the Emei Sect's leader, what does the Lake Master intend to do? If the people of the Emei Sect learn of this matter, it is likely to be detrimental to our gang"

This is very beneficial for cultivating one's state of mind, so no matter how busy she is, she will try to find some free time to enjoy moments of solitude

The Twelve Linked Rings rose like a comet, dominating Jiangnan for three years, with various gangs not daring to defy it, gaining a prominent reputation in the Central Plains. However, due to the poor flow of information in ancient times, including among its followers, very few people have seen Su Ye in person, and even those who have may not necessarily know that she is the leader of the Waterway.

Yang Xiao coldly laughed and said: "I have already searched everywhere, it is laughable that those people are like mere chickens and dogs, completely unaware of my whereabouts. Miss, if you continue to evade answering, do not blame Yang Xiao for being rude to you"

He originally thought that Su Ye, being in a position of high authority, would certainly look down upon such reckless individuals. However, upon hearing her tone, which contained no anger but only amusement, he felt quite puzzled.

Xiahou Qing noticed her troubled expression and speculated that she was vexed by the two words "Mingjiao". He frowned and said, "This kid really has a big mouth. The people of Mingjiao are already rampant in the Western Regions, and yet they still feel insufficiently imposing, actually coming to the Central Plains to cause trouble? Brother Han, you have thoroughly searched the information in the gang, but I have not seen the name Yang Shao. I wonder if he is a true master or just an unknown nobody eager for fame"

Xiahou Qing was taken aback for a moment, then furrowed his brows and asked, "Master of the Lake, do you perhaps know the origins of this person?"

She pondered for a moment and said with a smile, "Alright, then have this person with the surname Yang come to see me. I will be waiting for him at Hongye Ferry"

If a person is exceptionally talented and a young hero, it is inevitable that they may have some other flaws, such as an uncontrollable vanity that urges them to challenge the already famous predecessors. Especially since the Ming Sect has been at odds with the orthodox sects for many years, always being referred to as the "demonic sect," this has provided Yang Shao with a reason to come to the Central Plains to seek trouble

Taihu Lake is located in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, not far from Hongye Ferry. For masters of rivers and lakes, it would take at most a few days to arrive here. She did not know when Yang Xiao would appear, so while handling affairs within the gang and preparing for her journey, she instructed the branch leaders to bring him to her whenever someone claimed to be Yang Xiao, regardless of the time or place.

It is unclear how much time has passed, when she suddenly let out a silent sigh. Then, she heard someone behind her reciting: "The path ends with the white clouds, while spring lingers with the green stream." She slowly turned around

With just a few brief sentences, she outlined Yang Xiao's character, providing a general impression of him. Xiahou Qing did not inquire about her source of information, but instead pondered silently for a while before saying: "The solitary Hongzi claims to be the number one expert of the Emei School, yet his mind is so narrow. Losing is losing; he could simply return to the mountain to practice martial arts for a few years and then go to the Bright Summit to reclaim his honor. Is it possible that upon seeing the Heaven-Defying Sword, Yang Xiao treats it as a treasure and snatches it away on the spot, and he wouldn't be angry?" Losing is losing; he could simply return to the mountain to practice martial arts for a few years and then go to the Bright Summit to reclaim his honor. Is it possible that upon seeing the Heaven-Defying Sword, Yang Xiao treats it as a treasure and snatches it away on the spot, and he wouldn't be angry?

His appearance was rough and robust, yet his thoughts were extremely meticulous. In the blink of an eye, he discovered a contradiction and asked, "Since this young man with the surname Yang has won, how could the Heaven-Defying Sword possibly fall into the hands of the authorities?"

As soon as these words were spoken, it was like a bolt from the blue, leaving people dumbfounded. Yang Xiao's expression changed drastically, and he almost thought he had misheard. However, Su Ye appeared relaxed and at ease, certainly not resembling someone who was lying; moreover, such matters could not be fabricated. His mind raced, yet he still found it hard to believe, and he coldly replied: "This is impossible, you are clearly a woman"

Although Yang Xiao is indeed clever, at this moment of their sudden encounter, he could not possibly fathom her true identity. Seeing her daring to speak first, he felt a greater sense of admiration, and a faint smile appeared on his face as he said: "What kind of person do you think I, Yang Xiao, am? Am I like the ordinary people of the world, who obediently report their names and wait for others to lead them in? Your beauty is so extraordinary that it is hard for ordinary people to bear; you must be a consort of the Dragon King. Do you know where others are?"

Su Ye was certainly not afraid of him. In her moment of reflection, she did not take him to heart. Within the Ming Sect, unless the leader Yang Dingtian personally arrived, no one else was qualified to make her feel as if she were facing a formidable enemy. At this time, Yang Shao was only in his twenties; while he could bully ordinary experts, to have thoughts of challenging her was rather overconfident.

Su Ye smiled and said: "Who says that the leader of the Dragon Head cannot be a woman? Mr. Yang, you previously fought against the solitary Hongzi of the Emei Sect and won easily, thinking that the people of the righteous sect are nothing special, yet you come to trouble me? In your post, you mentioned that you wanted to experience the martial arts of the leader of the Twelve Linked Rings. I am right here, so why are you hesitating and not taking action?"

Su Ye said: "I haven't made up my mind yet, so I'll keep it by my side for now. You don't need to concern yourselves with this matter; I will decide it alone. Even if the Master of Extinction herself were to come down the mountain to demand it, do you think I would be afraid of her?"

Su Ye laughed and said: "Yang Xiao prides himself on his aloofness, rebellious and unruly, his actions are markedly different from those of ordinary people. The solitary Hongzi, relying on the sharpness of his treasured sword, believes he can achieve victory, yet he deliberately chooses not to wield this sword. After his victory, he discards the Heaven-Subduing Sword onto the ground, mocking it as mere scrap metal, and then departs with a flourish. The solitary Hongzi, suffering from severe internal injuries, was provoked by him and, unable to return to Emei Mountain, ultimately succumbed to illness from anger along the way"

As it is the early spring season, the climate has not yet warmed, and the wind carries a cold, watery essence, not much different from winter. However, in the Jiangnan region, spring arrives early; after the continuous spring rains, tender green buds bloom on the branches. It is certain that before long, the emerald lake will be adorned with rolling lotus leaves, and the willow branches by the riverside will gently brush against the face.

According to the rules of the martial world, regardless of who the challenger is, the Twelve Linked Rings cannot ignore them; otherwise, they will be ridiculed by others. If the leader is unwilling to take action, they must arrange for capable subordinates to handle the situation, thereby elevating their own status. However, on Su Ye's exquisitely beautiful face, a faint dimple always appeared, which did not resemble someone who was unwilling to take action.

Her demeanor was casual, as if she were discussing something trivial. However, Xiahou Qing was taken aback and exclaimed, "That sword is the sword of the Emei sect leader?"

In his eyes, Su Ye was no longer the captivating beauty, but rather an unprecedented formidable enemy. Apart from Master Yang, he had never encountered anyone else with such prowess.

Su Ye nodded and said, "Not bad"

On this day, she happened to have some leisure time, so she came to the secluded woods in the branch lodge, standing by the stream with her hands behind her back, quietly watching the clear water flowing in the creek, with her mind free of any thoughts

Standing opposite her was a young scholar in white, possessing a handsome demeanor and an air of aloofness. As she turned, a flash of cold brilliance flickered in his eyes. He bore no weapons, yet his breath was long and his footsteps nearly silent, clearly indicating his exceptional martial prowess

Su Ye was not in a mood of sorrow for the spring or autumn; she was fully focused on the movements of the government troops, trying to gather information on how they were searching for the stolen tribute. She had no intention of returning to the Taihu headquarters; she was merely waiting for the situation to calm down and for the government's search efforts to lessen, so that she could set off north from Hongye Ferry to do what she wanted to do. Even if a sudden appearance of Yang Xiao occurred, it would not affect her plans

When she spoke the five words "delaying to take action," her body remained as still as a mountain, her energy concentrated in her dantian, and she articulated each word one by one. Each character contained an exceptionally profound internal force, causing the trees nearby to tremble and sway. Upon uttering the final word, it was as if spring thunder erupted from her tongue, instantly snapping the more brittle dry branches from the tree.

This palm strike was silent and unassuming, seemingly devoid of any force, yet its posture was graceful and ethereal, undeniably exquisite in its beauty, instantly recognizable as top-tier martial arts. Particularly, Yang Xiao's movements were elusive, and his techniques were extraordinarily deceptive; after delivering a palm strike, he followed up with a flurry of palm shadows, akin to the wind carrying willow catkins, leaving one unable to discern which moves were real and which were feigned. Gu Hongzi was precisely deceived by his feints, causing the Heaven-Defying Sword to slip from his grasp, and he fell in defeat, filled with resentment.

Su Ye said calmly: "Don't ask me, I don't understand either. This is probably what is called the integrity of a master"

He is proficient in various weapon techniques, alternating between softness and hardness, with unpredictable transformations. His fingers, palms, fists, and claws emerge in endless succession, yet none of his moves can counter her. Occasionally, when his palm strikes a branch, the force of his palm dissipates like a mud cow entering the sea, failing to shake his opponent in the slightest

Even so, she had to admit that being watched by such a master while assisting the faction was certainly not a pleasant experience. If possible, she hoped to resolve the matter in one go, striving to leave no future troubles.

Suddenly, Su Ye smiled faintly, and a branch swept out from an impossible angle, precisely striking Yang Shao's arm. A tremendous force, like a mountain collapsing, surged from the branch, overwhelming him and causing him to lose his footing, involuntarily retreating backward.

In such moments, she felt herself distanced from the clamor of the world, profoundly lonely yet immensely tranquil, as if entering a state of ethereal wonder, where even the nearby water village seemed very far away

Moreover, Yang Xiao is by no means a kind-hearted person; he has never understood the concept of "leaving room for maneuver." On the contrary, he is ruthless and has committed all sorts of misdeeds. With such a character, after defeating the masters of the righteous sect, the sense of satisfaction he gains is likely greater than that of ordinary people

Yang Xiao felt a sudden shock in his heart, his hands slightly raised, with his left palm upright in front of his chest and his right palm pushed forward against his chest. The force of his palms was elusive and unpredictable, making it difficult for others to grasp. Su Ye focused intently and saw only a white figure leaping swiftly like lightning, and in an instant, it was right before her, with that right palm striking towards her chest.

Su Ye smiled faintly, folded the challenge letter neatly, and tucked it into his bosom, then gently said: "The letter did not specify the location of the duel, so he must have been lingering near Taihu, waiting for my response. If ten days pass and I still do not give him an answer, will he then go to challenge the branch of the Twelve Linked Docks?"

The branch was flexible, bending and deforming with just a slight force, yet in her hands, it resembled the sharpest weapon in the world. Before Yang Xiao's palm even touched the tip of the branch, he felt a fierce wind like a blade and hurriedly changed his stance. Su Ye's body and intent were in perfect harmony, his body turning with his thoughts, making his changes even faster. Regardless of whether his moves were real or feigned, that small branch always followed closely, lightly tapping within the force of his palm, rendering his techniques ineffective.

Su Ye let out a light laugh, responding to the myriad changes with steadfastness. The branch in his hand flicked up, transforming into thousands of gray shadows that shot into the palm wind.

The Emei Sect ranks among the six major sects of orthodox teachings, with each generation of its leaders being women who have renounced worldly life. The sect maintains strict rules, prohibiting disciples from wandering freely in the martial world. Even among the six major sects, few can discern the intricacies of Emei's martial arts background. Moreover, no one is aware of the connection between the legend of the Heavenly Sword and the Dragon Slaying Saber and the Emei Sect.