Chapter Six, Visitors from Wudang

After finishing reading, she placed the paper on the small table beside her and asked with a smile, "I wonder where Yu Erxia obtained this secret letter, and do you know who wrote it?"

There was no anger on her face, but her tone gradually became somber. Yang Xiao was well aware of her martial arts skills and did not wish to offend her. Yu Lianzhou, on the other hand, was more humble and courteous; upon sensing her displeasure, he clasped his hands and said: "I apologize for the offense."

I have long known that Xin Jie is a person with wolfish ambitions, unable to resist the annexation by our faction, yet unwilling to give up the wealth gained through collusion. Recently, the brothers in the gang have followed my orders to capture him and send him to Hongye Ferry

Yang Xiao suddenly smiled, his demeanor exceptionally graceful, and said calmly: "I am an important figure in the Ming Sect, and I would never hide my identity or lurk in the shadows. If the two heroes, Yu, were to ask me who I am, I would certainly tell them honestly, for fear it might lead to misunderstandings between your esteemed sect and Wudang."

Yang Xiao smiled without answering, his attitude quite haughty. Su Ye, unwilling to give him the opportunity to speak, took the lead and said: "Please take a seat, both of you. Hero Yu has suddenly come to visit today, specifically requesting to see me. I wonder what it is for"

Yu Lianzhou said solemnly: "I, Yu, will certainly deliver the letter to my master, hoping to witness the grandeur of the Waterway Dragon Head on Wudang Mountain."

Upon seeing Master Yang and Su Ye enter, he quickly rose to pay his respects. When he learned that Su Ye was indeed the leader, a fleeting look of surprise crossed his face, which was soon replaced by calm composure as he clasped his hands and said: "Leader Su"

She was beautiful in appearance, spoke and laughed with ease, and treated others with great kindness. Initially, Yu Lianzhou had some doubts, thinking that perhaps she was not the leader but rather an important aide sent by someone to test his intentions. It was only at this moment that he felt a sudden shock, as he did not expect her to casually mention the significant matter of dealing with traitors. Especially when she spoke, her calm tone made her seem even more cold and decisive.

Yang Xiao, unbeknownst to when, subtly circulated his internal energy, shaking off the dirt that had stained his white attire, transforming into a graceful young gentleman clad entirely in white. After Yu Lianzhou and Su Ye exchanged greetings, they turned to him and inquired: "Who might this be...?"

Yu Lianzhou's reaction was surprisingly identical to that of Yang Shao, filled with uncertainty, unsure if her words carried any other meaning. Yang Shao's statement was profound, subtly hinting at her intention to visit Yang Dingtian, seemingly indicating that she genuinely only wished to seek guidance on martial arts, with no ulterior motives. However, the Twelve Linked Rings is by no means a righteous sect; who can guarantee that Su Ye's words and actions are in harmony?

Su Ye smiled and said: "If the two of you wish to argue, please do so outside the water fortress. Whether you want to experience the Pure Yang Wujigong of Wudang or wish to witness Brother Yang's Finger Flicking Divine Skill, feel free to do as you please. Hero Yu, you can rest assured that our gang currently has no intention of collaborating with anyone, nor do we wish to be under anyone's command. However, whom I choose to associate with and whom I prefer to entertain is none of anyone else's business"

Zhang Sanfeng became a monk at a young age, but several of his disciples were ordinary people from the secular world and never wore Daoist robes. Yu Lianzhou, dressed in plain cloth, sat in the main hall of the water fortress to receive guests. He had an ordinary appearance and was tall and thin, but his eyes were exceptionally bright, revealing that he possessed advanced internal skills.

Yu Lianzhou let out a light hum and said, "Since the Dragon Head has said so, how could I, Yu, have any reason not to believe it? Yang Zuo Shi, your Ming Sect has long resided in the Western Regions, always coveting the martial arts world of the Central Plains. Now that both of you are openly associating with each other, do you not have intentions of collaboration?"

Hearing this, Yang Xiao suddenly chuckled softly and slowly said: "It turns out that not only is the martial arts of Wudang exceptional, but their verbal skills are equally impressive."

Su Ye said: "I would never dare to take offense. To be honest, my martial arts and mental cultivation are in line with the teachings of the Daoist school, and I have always held great respect for the character of Master Zhang..."

What is the cleverness in that

This statement pertains to the Wudang Sect and carries a hint of sarcasm. Yu Lianzhou, however, remained unfazed and replied calmly, "What is your opinion, Longtou?"

Su Ye nodded with a smile, and then recalled something, saying: "Brother Yang, I would like to inquire about something. In the Mingjiao, there is a renowned divine physician named Hu Qingniu. Is he currently residing at the Guangming Peak, or has he settled in the Central Plains?"

Su Ye inquired, "What about the child of that Master Mo, the old martial artist? Did they manage to survive by any chance?"

Since the establishment of the Twelve Linked Rings, the origins of the leader's martial arts have remained a mystery. In the martial world, it is said by all that this top leader possesses extraordinary martial skills, elusive as a dragon, rarely seen in full view. However, very few have witnessed her martial prowess, leading to incessant rumors that constantly change, attributing various abilities to her. Yu Lianzhou has only just learned that she practices Taoist internal skills, leaving him momentarily stunned

The Ming Sect is a significant threat to the six major sects. Yu Lianzhou's expression suddenly changed, reacting far more intensely than when he learned of Su Ye's identity. However, the Wudang martial arts emphasize the cultivation of the mind, advocating for concentration and tranquility, promoting a sense of calmness and peace. The higher one's martial skills, the clearer one's state of mind becomes, as pure as the bright moon, untouched by external influences. At this moment, the great demon of the demonic sect was right before him, yet he managed to suppress his surprise and anger, nodding slightly and saying, "I have long admired you."

Su Ye knew that his words were sharp, and at this moment, upon seeing him, he was indeed extraordinary. As soon as he heard the news about Yu Lianzhou, he intended to sow discord between the two factions, subtly implying that the people from Wudang might interfere with other sects. If it were not for his questionable character, which made it difficult for him to gain the support of others, it is likely that Yang Dingtian would have tacitly appointed him as the next leader instead of Xie Xun.

If it is said that Yang Xiao still has places in the Central Plains where he does not dare to act recklessly, it must be the Zixiao Palace on Wudang Mountain. He originally had no intention of provoking the Wudang Sect to avoid drawing out Zhang Sanfeng, but since Yu Lianzhou happened to be here, meeting him was not a problem. Thus, he readily replied: "Thank you, Longtou, Yang indeed has this intention. However..."

Yang Xiao smiled and said, "Does Hero Yu not believe?"

Yu Lianzhou said in a deep voice: "A month ago, the entire family of Master Mo, a martial artist from Hankou, was murdered, with blood splattered all over the door. Master Mo was a friend of Wudang, and we shared a close bond. My master originally intended to take his son as a closed-door disciple, but unexpectedly, such a tragic event occurred. I, along with my junior brother, was ordered to descend the mountain to investigate this matter. We discovered that the murderer was Xin Jie, the leader of the Hanshui Gang, and while monitoring the Hanshui Gang, we intercepted their carrier pigeons and obtained the letter tied to the pigeon's leg."

Yu Lianzhou replied: "He is hiding in the wardrobe, undetected by the enemy. My junior brother has already sent him to Wudang Mountain, and from now on, he will be the seventh disciple of Wudang."

Su Ye was puzzled and, following the instructions, opened it and began to read. The envelope bore no signature, and the letter did not indicate the names of the sender or the recipient, resembling an anonymous letter. However, upon reading just half of it, she raised her eyebrows in surprise, feeling a deep sense of astonishment.

Yang Xiao stood idly by, completely unaware of what it meant to "give someone convenience," and even less inclined to leave with any sense of propriety. Su Ye, noticing Yang's evident curiosity, could only shake his head in resignation and turned to ask, "Brother Yang, do you also wish to meet the second hero Yu?"

Song Yuanqiao, the eldest disciple of Wudang, is in charge of the internal affairs of the Wudang Sect. After Zhang Sanfeng retreated for seclusion and cultivation, he has become the de facto leader. The second disciple, Yu Lianzhou, holds a position inferior to that of his senior brother, but his martial arts skills are the highest among the disciples. These two can easily stand on equal footing with the leaders of ordinary sects and associations. Therefore, upon hearing of Yu Lianzhou's visit, Su Ye planned to personally greet him.

Yang Xiao sarcastically remarked: "You are going to write another letter for Yu Erxia to take back, informing Zhang Zhenren that you wish to go to Wudang Mountain to seek martial arts instruction"

Upon hearing this, not only was Yu Lianzhou greatly surprised, but even Yang Xiao looked at her in astonishment, seemingly not expecting her to possess such formidable skills. Yu Lianzhou blurted out, "Then what about the others?"

Yu Lianzhou said: "The leader of the Xin Gang, in the pursuit of the pawnshop property, has gone so far as to exterminate entire families and has bribed the local authorities, colluding with the officials. We initially intended to resolve this matter on our own, but it is well known that the Han Shui Gang has allied with the Twelve Linked Rings. The leader is usually fair in his dealings and never colludes with the authorities. I, Yu, believe that if I inform you of this matter, we will surely achieve a just outcome"

Su Ye smiled and said: "I am not afraid to tell you that I will soon be heading north, perhaps to the capital, perhaps to other places, and then directly to the Kunlun Mountains in the Western Regions. I fear that I will only have the opportunity to pay my respects to Master Zhang upon my return to the Central Plains"

In today's martial arts world, Zhang Sanfeng, the leader of Wudang, is hailed as the number one master under heaven, his name having resounded for decades, unmatched by anyone. Su Ye respects his character and is aware that Wudang disciples are all chivalrous, benevolent, and charitable, never engaging in acts of bullying others with their power, which is why he has instructed his subordinates not to offend them

Yu Lianzhou took out a letter from his bosom and handed it to her, saying: "Please take a look, Longtou."

He felt a sense of affection for Su Ye upon seeing her concern for that child, yet he was even more perplexed, unsure whether the Twelve Linked Rings and the Ming Sect were conspiring against the righteous sect. However, Su Ye paid no heed to his thoughts and said gently: "Our sect has expanded rapidly in recent years, and it is inevitable that the members within are of mixed quality. At times, I am aware that those who join our sect have ulterior motives and are by no means chivalrous individuals, yet I have no choice but to continue employing them in order to quickly gain control over various factions. I never expected that no matter how strictly I enforced regulations, such incidents would still occur."

She gave him a meaningful glance and smiled, saying: "The Twelve Linked Docks and Wudang's well water do not interfere with each other, I believe that Hero Yu would not be so rude. Brother Yang, please proceed."

What is it?

Su Ye said calmly: "He betrayed my whereabouts; he is a traitor to our faction. Can I still allow him to live? Yesterday, I already established a court of justice and publicly executed him, burying the body afterward. If you wish to see, I can have someone dig up the coffin; it has only been one day, and the body should not have decayed yet."

She let out a soft sigh, picked up the thin piece of paper again, and smiled, saying: "I express my deep regret regarding the matter of Junior Brother Ling. Please convey my apologies to him. However, the Twelve Linked Forts are of mixed quality, which does not mean I will allow the weeds to grow, jeopardizing the interests of our sect. Hero Yu Er, your visit today is quite timely"

Yang Xiao was unconcerned and simply asked: "Did you see Zhang Sanfeng first, or did you see Yang Jiao Master first?"

Yang Xiao laughed heartily towards the sky and coldly remarked: "It turns out that the sects of the Central Plains are so wary of the Ming Cult. I just happened to appear here, and it has made the renowned heroes of Wudang feel as if they are facing a great enemy, wondering whether the martial world of the Central Plains is about to face a calamity. If the Sun Cult Master were to hear of this matter, I wonder how pleased he would be"

The content of the document is very clear, seemingly written for officials. This individual colludes with the authorities, betraying the Twelve Linked Docks. It mentions that the lake lord has previously mobilized troops, most likely to plunder the government tribute ships, and has also reported the movements of several dock masters, indicating matters worth noting in the assistance provided.

Su Ye finally shot him a glare and said: "Indeed. Since both of you have taken a step back and do not wish to fight here, why not have dinner and allow me to finish writing the letter"

Su Ye smiled and said: "The Bright Religion of the Western Regions, the Left Envoy of Light, Yang Xiao"

Xin Jie has long resided by the Han River, being a local tyrant and also the master of the Twelve Linked Forts. After listening, Su Ye, neither surprised nor angry, smiled and said: "So, you came to see me, wanting me to clean up the house?"