Chapter 8: Human Calculations and Heavenly Calculations

Guo Diandao said, "What Sister Fang said is indeed correct. It is also the blessing of heaven that Sister was able to discern the clues; otherwise, the three of us brothers would have almost made a grave mistake." The woman in the yellow dress replied, "I know what you want to ask. In fact, it is not difficult to see through this matter. Since the poisoned individual is very likely not the deputy leader of your esteemed faction, and it required the three senior disciples to take action together, your faction has very few members left. Coincidentally, your faction's leader, Wang, wields a pair of iron short guns. Although his martial arts are superior to those of the deputy leader, his defense is considerably lacking. It is indeed not difficult to see through this matter. Since the poisoned individual is very likely not the deputy leader of your faction, and it required the three senior disciples to take action together, your faction has very few members left. Coincidentally, your faction's leader, Wang, wields a pair of iron short guns. Although his martial arts are superior to those of the deputy leader, his defense is considerably lacking. Moreover, your eldest senior brother is the son of Leader Wang. The reason he did not come this time is that he needs to guard against the sons of several concubines trying to seize the family fortune. If the poisoned individual were your eldest senior brother, then it would be his anxious father who should have arrived here!

Feng Yunyue shouted, "What! He has finally appeared, great! It truly is a case of searching high and low without success, yet finding it effortlessly. Where is he now? If I do not gouge out his eyes and strip off his skin, it will be difficult to quell the hatred in my heart." Tang Guangting felt a secret shock and said, "Oh dear, do I have such a great enmity with you? Why do you hate me so much?" Meanwhile, he heard Wan Xiaodan say, "No, the urgent matter is to quickly force that nasty girl out. Tomorrow, do not think of anything else, just keep a close watch on Fang Xiaoyuan, and do not let her pull any new tricks. That brat named Tang, I will keep an eye on him for you. As long as I keep an eye on him, I am confident that the nasty girl will definitely show up. At that time, whether you want to kill or torture that brat, you can do as you please. With me around, are you still afraid he will fly away?" As long as I keep an eye on him, I am confident that the nasty girl will definitely show up. At that time, whether you want to kill or torture that brat, you can do as you please. With me around, are you still afraid he will fly away?

Tang Guangting recognized it was Feng Yunyue and inwardly exclaimed: "What a misfortune! I was eavesdropping on his conversation with Wan Xiaodan yesterday, and now he is hiding nearby, seizing the opportunity to catch me. This is truly a swift retribution, coming so quickly." However, although Feng Yunyue covered his mouth, Tang's first cry still escaped with a slight sound. Though faint, to the ears of a master like Mo Gaotian, it was not far from the sound of thunder on a clear day.

Before the words were finished, the crowd had already begun to whisper among themselves, expressing their astonishment in waves. Zhu Hu and Guo Dian, among others, were particularly in awe, bowing quickly and saying, "We humbly request Master Fang to save our master." An old servant had already prepared the ink and was ready with paper and brush. The woman in the yellow dress, without a moment's hesitation, swiftly wrote out the prescription and handed it to Zhu Hu. Zhu Hu, somewhat incredulous that the matter could be resolved so easily, stared blankly at the wet ink on the paper.

Taiqing Dao: "Little girl, you say that our Wujimen needs to harm this young man, yet you still want my Master Xue to bring five or six people to surround him. This doesn't seem quite right, does it? If that were the case, how could this young man with the surname Yang appear here? Where are my Master Xue and the other junior brothers now?"

Tang Guangcheng found it truly difficult to accept such a result. He noticed Mo Gaotian's indifferent demeanor, as he did not respond directly to his questions, which could be considered quite rude. However, in terms of reasoning and strength, he found himself at a loss against him. He could only turn to Lin Lanping and ask, "Miss Lin, do you know if my child has already left, or has he been detained by someone?"

Tang Guangting was genuinely startled; he hurriedly took out the fire starter he had prepared a few days earlier, lit it, and examined the area closely. In the dim light of the flame, Tang Guangting crouched down, inch by inch, searching the ground. Apart from confirming that this was indeed the pit he had dug at that time, he found nothing else. Although he felt anxious, his mind remained clear: "It can't be; if it were taken away by a wild animal, there would definitely be bloodstains or footprints or claw marks."

Only the light of the Yongqing sword gently swayed, forming a shallow circle, as it assumed a starting posture. He said, "I don't care who you are; your nonsense ends here. Today, I will teach you a lesson." With that, he thrust the sword forward.

Suddenly, a clear whistle sounded, and another gray figure rushed in, saying: "Everyone, stop! Yongqing, do not be rude!" A long sword extended into the sword formation. Mo Gaotian observed the power and technique of this move, which was similar to that of the three from the Wujimen, vigorous and fierce, yet surpassing any of them. He immediately shouted: "Alright, let’s all go for it!" After a few days of rest, his martial arts had recovered to ninety percent, and he was eager to test his skills. He then gathered his internal energy, pushing both palms forward. The three in front, seeing the fierce momentum, dared not resist and quickly retreated with their long swords. The last person, caught off guard, sheathed his sword and also extended his palm to counter. With a loud "bang," he was forced back three steps.

Not long after, he finally bent around the back of the medicine pavilion. He could faintly hear the sounds of weapons clashing and shouts coming from ahead. Tang Guangting sensed that the situation was dire, so he quickened his pace. However, what he saw before him was not what he had imagined: Mo Gaotian was surrounded by several people, fighting barehanded, charging left and right. The few people surrounding him shouted in unison, coordinating with each other to provide mutual support, and surprisingly managed to trap this contemporary master. Tang Guangting immediately recognized these individuals and was about to call out to them to cease their actions when, unexpectedly, a hand reached from behind, covering his mouth. Then, with a tightening of his back muscles, he realized he had been sealed at the acupoint.

Suddenly, he stumbled as Tang Guangting accidentally kicked a large stone, nearly causing him to fall. Before he had the chance to curse, his left foot slipped, landing right on the edge of the stone. Feeling quite uneasy, he hurriedly leaned forward, only to see that the pile of stones had scattered, revealing an empty pit surrounded by earth, with nothing inside.

In order to prove his inference, he expanded the scope and continued to search around. Indeed, he could not find the clothes he had left behind at that time, nor the unique weapon gifted by Mei Yingxue, the ink-black iron chain. Tang Guangting kept telling himself: "It seems that Axue has already awakened and managed to escape." Is it true? Tang Guangting had no certainty, but the thoughts of longing and dreams that had occupied his mind for several days now left him feeling lost and unable to regain his composure.

He received countless earnest warnings, instructing him that during the forty-nine days, he must not use his internal energy; otherwise, not only would his martial arts be difficult to preserve, but he might also lose his life. However, given his personality, he would rather die fighting than fall into the hands of treacherous individuals and suffer humiliation. He stepped forward, wielded his knife to make a few feigned strikes, and said: "There is no need for Senior to worry about me; this trouble was caused by me, and to untie the bell, one must find the bell ringer. Let me spar with these few senior brothers."

After a brief pause, Wei Zhengren said, "I invite all the heroes to come forward in turn to consult this Master Fang about their respective encounters and issues." Zhu Hu said, "Let me go first!" He swiftly stepped out of the crowd and approached the woman in the yellow dress. The sudden action startled the woman, causing her to involuntarily take a step back, and she asked, "What advice do you seek?"

Yang Jingxiu, standing by with a knife in hand, thought to himself: "On that day, I saw that Lu Ban Jian had high martial arts skills and was very upright. I should have known that this calamity would eventually come; it would have been better to capture him back then. This Yongqing is a treacherous person, not a gentleman at all. Since he is listed among the Three Clear Swords, I can imagine that these few people are not much better."

How could Tang Guangting manage so much? At first, watching him practice swordsmanship diligently seemed interesting, and I even felt inclined to learn a bit. However, after peeking for a long time, I understood only partially. Moreover, Feng Yunyu kept practicing the same few sets repeatedly, and before I knew it, fatigue crept in. My eyelids closed several times, and eventually, the moments of keeping my eyes open grew shorter while the times of closing them lengthened, and I dozed off in a daze

Lin Lanping gazed ahead and indeed saw shadows moving in the woods, holding a sword. He exclaimed, "Senior Mo, I see them, I will chase after them right away!" Tang Guangcheng said, "Miss Lin, wait a moment, I will go with you!" They ran one after the other, sprinting forward, and in an instant, they had chased several dozen zhang away.

He continued, "Let me introduce to Senior Mo, this person beside me is my Master Lu's disciple, named Song Qing. This gentleman has already introduced himself; his name is Yi Qing, and this is my junior brother Yong Qing, all of whom are disciples of my Master Fang." Mo Gaotian remarked, "You have quite a few disciples; do you intend to rely on numbers to gain the upper hand?" Tai Qing replied, "I dare not." Yong Qing, having a hot temper, glared in response to the words.

Mo Gaotian said: "It doesn't matter who he follows. Let me ask you another question: that kid with the surname Tang, who has been buzzing around you like a fly these days, can’t be driven away no matter how hard you try. Did I, Mo Gaotian, ask him to do this?" Lin Lanping's face turned very awkward as she thought: "Recently, he has not been feeling well and is unable to move around, so naturally, he can't go anywhere. However, when he was lively and energetic before, he intentionally followed me. Could it be that... she thought: "Recently, he has not been feeling well and is unable to move around, so naturally, he can't go anywhere. However, when he was lively and energetic before, he intentionally followed me. Could it be that he really is, as Mo senior said, that even if I try to drive him away, I can't?" Her face flushed, and she hurriedly said: "His feet are on his own body; he can follow whoever he wants. Who says... who says he is following me?"

While they were busy and not paying attention, suddenly voices came from the entrance of the valley. Judging by the volume, there were quite a few people. Chen Youxin, a disciple of the Qianyao Sect responsible for managing the daily lives of the crowd, was attending to everyone nearby. Soon, he also heard the voices and hurriedly ran up the earthen slope to take a closer look. As he observed, he couldn't help but furrow his brows, thinking to himself: "Why are there so many people!" The crowd in the thatched hut felt that it was quite lively, and some even thought that the more people, the better.

Upon hearing this, Tang Guangcheng felt a chill run through his heart, and even Song Zhanshan was greatly surprised. Lin Yanxiu had never seen her sister display such a shy demeanor, which aroused her suspicion. She placed her hands on her sister's shoulders and asked, "Sister, are you alright?"

Mei Yingxue is still not here

Guo Dian, having listened, no longer hesitated and quickly said, "Thank you for your trouble!" A young attendant stepped out from behind the woman in the yellow dress, took the prescription from Zhu Hu, and led Zhu Hu away. Sun Jun asked, "Brother Guo, shall we leave as well?" Guo Dian glanced at Wei Zhengren and whispered, "Since there is nothing wrong, then let us not linger." With that, he left without looking back.

Upon hearing this, the master unknowingly became angry and said, "I have been practicing this sword technique for three years and two months. Each time I practice, my skill deepens further. If you do not believe me, let us spar right now!" At that moment, Taiqing thought to himself, "This person is indeed older than my master, with sharp eyes that are bright and piercing; he is truly a master of internal martial arts. Moreover, when two tigers fight, one will surely be injured. Since they are friends, why must they turn against each other?" Thus, he went out to mediate. Unexpectedly, both were drunk at the time, refusing to listen to advice, and their voices grew louder and louder. "If you do not believe me, let us spar right now!" Taiqing thought again, "This person is indeed older than my master, with sharp eyes that are bright and piercing; he is truly a master of internal martial arts. Moreover, when two tigers fight, one will surely be injured. Since they are friends, why must they turn against each other?" Thus, he went out to mediate. Unexpectedly, both were drunk at the time, refusing to listen to advice, and their voices grew louder and louder. The master was someone who valued his pride, while the other was arrogant and conceited, making them a perfect match. As their argument escalated, it eventually led to a physical confrontation.

At that moment, Tang Guangting happened to come down from the back mountain. From a distance, he saw the familiar figure of his father. Suddenly, he noticed Mo Gaotian and Yang Jingxiu fighting with someone, and he thought that his father had invited help to trouble them. Just as he was about to shout to stop it, he was caught by Feng Yunyue, who was hiding nearby.

Ding Yunzong said: "Ling'er, as we venture into the world, we must sharpen our skills of keen observation and attentive listening. Naturally, we need to put in more effort. However, to boldly hypothesize like Young Hero Yang is a matter of experience. It is rare for the three of us to have the opportunity to be with you, Uncle Mo, and someone like Young Hero Yang. This is a valuable chance, and you all should learn well. Baiyun, do you understand?" Yang Jingxiu hurriedly replied: "I dare not." It is rare for the three of us to have the opportunity to be with you, Uncle Mo, and someone like Young Hero Yang. This is a valuable chance, and you all should learn well. Baiyun, do you understand?" Yang Jingxiu hurriedly replied: "I dare not."

Song Zhenshan never expected that he would take the initiative to seek battle. After a brief pause, he said: "Brother Yang is injured; it would be unfair for me to win. It would be better to wait until Brother Yang recovers, and then we can choose a date to fight again. As for the location and method, I will leave it to Brother Yang to decide." Yang Jingxiu shook his head and said: "Time cannot be delayed any longer; the location will be here. As for the method, if Brother Song insists on not taking advantage of me..." He paused and continued: "Since I cannot use internal energy, as long as Brother Song does not use internal force in this sword technique, it cannot be considered taking advantage of me. However, if Brother Song cannot defeat me and, in a moment of crisis, uses internal energy to save his life, then it cannot be said that Brother Song is being deceitful. It would be unfair to go back on my word... Alright, enough of the nonsense, let’s begin!" After saying this, he swung his sword, thinking that by doing so, he could at least disturb the thoughts of those four formidable members of the Wujimen.

Indeed, the one with the piercing gaze is Feng Yunyu, and the person with their back to him is indeed Wan Xiaodan

Wei Zhengren seemed to be lost in thought and did not respond. He knew that Ding Yunzong was making a valid point, but he was convinced that there was indeed something strange about the Qianyao Sect. Before entering the valley, he had secretly instructed his subordinates to choose strategic locations to set up the hundred pounds of gunpowder they had brought. As for the others, that was one thing, but Master Jiang had been with him for over ten years. With that accumulation of experience, he should have some level of vigilance. Then there was the chubby man in charge of the gunpowder; neither of them were inexperienced novices. How could it be that after several hours of preparation, they had not even established a predetermined signal? Wei Zhengren instinctively believed that they might have encountered trouble, and thus the Qianyao Sect could not be free from suspicion

Mo Gaotian seemed to be pondering and said, "Oh, what is that?" Yang Jingxiu smiled and replied, "Well, it is ventriloquism..." Tang Guangting said, "Elder brother is right, it is indeed ventriloquism." Mo Gaotian, unconvinced, remarked, "Ventriloquism is just ventriloquism, what is so remarkable about it"

Mogao Tian let out a cold laugh and said, "That Xue Yuanfang, along with his incompetent disciple, what was his name, Shan Qing? Hmph, they overestimate themselves and dare to provoke me. I gave each of them a slap; I wonder if they have gone to meet the King of Hell by now"

Ding Yunzong further stated: "That mysterious person, after harming others, not only points out the way to seek help but also has calculated the time of everyone's arrival. Therefore, if this person has ulterior motives, it should be within the next two days; otherwise, once the crowd disperses tomorrow, wouldn't all his previous designs be in vain? I wonder what Instructor Wei thinks about this"

Tang Guangting's last hope was shattered, and he sat down on the ground, staring blankly at the pond. He found himself lost in thought: "She has taken the clothes, and the weapons are gone as well. It seems she has recovered quite well. If that is the case, my value to her is gone. Why must she insist on marrying me? As long as she keeps it under wraps and hides in the mountains for a year or so, by then I would have long since succumbed to the poison, leaving only a pile of bones. Who would still remember that she once had an intimate relationship with me? Is it her legitimate husband? Such a thing as murdering her own husband, I can't believe she could do it. Truly, the heart of a woman can be the most venomous in the world."

Long ago, male disciples from the Qianyao Sect set up a straw shed on the earthen slope beside the Buyao Pavilion. There were not enough benches, so half of the people sat on the ground. The remaining female disciples were also busy, boiling a pot of tea and delivering it to the shed, one pot after another

Although the two individuals were separated from Mo Gaotian by a distance of three feet, when this palm strike came, the force of the palm had not yet arrived, but the wind from the strike had already reached them. Both individuals recognized the danger and swiftly dodged to the sides. Mo Gaotian laughed heartily and said, "Can you escape?" His hands then reached out to the left and right. The two individuals were not slow in their evasive maneuvers, but Mo Gaotian's arms seemed ghostly, as if they had suddenly elongated by three inches, with his fingertips brushing against their sleeves. At that moment, another long sword was thrust forward, aimed at Mo Gaotian's back, the timing being impeccable, employing the strategy of surrounding Wei to rescue Zhao. The two individuals were not slow in their evasive maneuvers, but Mo Gaotian's arms seemed ghostly, as if they had suddenly elongated by three inches, with his fingertips brushing against their sleeves. At that moment, another long sword was thrust forward, aimed at Mo Gaotian's back, the timing being impeccable, employing the strategy of surrounding Wei to rescue Zhao.

Tang Guangting was taken aback; it turned out that Wan Xiaodan was not hiding nearby to spy, but rather mingling among the crowd of seekers. He thought to himself, "Fortunately, I was a step ahead of you; otherwise, you would have followed me all the way here and then hidden to eavesdrop on your own conversation." Upon further reflection, this scenario seemed unlikely. However, from their words, it was clear they intended to use him to lure out A Xue, which was a serious matter. Firstly, he had no idea where A Xue was at the moment, so he couldn't warn her that it was dangerous and to stay away, nor did he know if she would actively come looking for him. Secondly, perhaps A Xue had never intended to show up at all, and by then, Wan Xiaodan and Feng Yunyue might devise some other means to deal with him.

Mogao Tiandao: "I just noticed that behind that Miss Fang, there seems to be an old man hiding. Judging by his attire, he should be a servant doing menial work. However, he keeps his head down and follows closely, which looks very suspicious." He turned his head and said to Yang Jingxiu: "Hey, Quick Blade Kid! What do you think is going on here?"

Tang Guangting cleverly turned his head, glanced around in all directions, and after confirming that no one was following him, he suddenly darted and slipped into the cave

Since it is a critical night, it is naturally fraught with peril

Mogao laughed heartily and said, "Come down, just as you said. Otherwise, do you think I have been playing with these little fellows for so long for what? Hurry up, making me wait so long is truly annoying". Taiqing, enraged, drew his sword and thrust it forward with a swift motion.

The woman in the yellow shirt said: "This 'scorpion tail needle' is a type of concealed weapon originating from the Xinjiang region. It was introduced to the martial arts community in the Central Plains several decades ago. Although it has undergone modifications, the technique for launching the needle remains largely unchanged. As the name suggests, the wielder of this concealed weapon is akin to a scorpion, facing the victim directly. This means that your esteemed deputy leader, Jiang, was not ambushed from behind, but rather was injured in a face-to-face confrontation. I have heard tales in the martial world that Deputy Leader Jiang is accustomed to using a rattan shield and a curved saber, which are quite effective for attacking enemies while mounted, and provide a solid defense. He is considered quite skilled in the martial arts community."

As he just shrank into the crevice, the man's voice came again, this time not only louder but also faintly echoing. The voice said, "I never expected that Fang Xiaoyuan would have such skills; both you and I, as brothers, have been deceived this time." Tang Guangting found the voice quite familiar and, gathering his courage, slowly turned his head out. He had not been in the world for long, but he had quite a bit of experience in eavesdropping and spying. He leaned his head out quietly and saw two people standing on the other side of the pool. Facing the person in front of him, he heard the man say again, "I never expected that Fang Xiaoyuan would have such skills; both you and I, as brothers, have been deceived this time." Tang Guangting found the voice quite familiar and, gathering his courage, slowly turned his head out. He had not been in the world for long, but he had quite a bit of experience in eavesdropping and spying. He leaned his head out quietly and saw two people standing on the other side of the pool. The face of the person facing him was just blocked by the back of the person who was turned away from him. He then slowly leaned forward again and saw that the person facing him had a bruise from the brow down to the cheek on the right side, as if the eyelid had been burned, and he could not tell whether the eyeball was still there or not.

One by one, they recounted their respective encounters and difficulties to the woman in the yellow dress. Among them were direct victims, most of whom suffered internal injuries, either having their meridians severed by strange methods or having their vital organs invaded by palm energy, making it difficult to remove. The woman in the yellow dress instructed them to remain in quiet rest for recuperation. As for the others seeking medicine on behalf of the victims, most of them were poisoned, whether by toxic hidden weapons or by venomous insects, snakes, or charms, with at least one type of poison, and often multiple types simultaneously affecting them. Regardless of the type of victim, each was given a note on the spot, which not only specified the nature of their injuries and poisons, emphasizing their danger, but also curiously directed them to seek Mei Yingxue at Qianyao Gate.

Thus, both sides engaged in combat. The Three Clear Swords were inherently difficult to deal with; as long as they maintained strict defense, even if they could not achieve victory, they would not suffer defeat. Now, with the addition of Taiqing, the direct disciple of Xuanji, defeating them became exceedingly challenging. Mo Gaotian believed that the outcome would only become apparent after at least five or six hundred exchanges. With his profound internal energy, he felt that in a prolonged battle, he ultimately had the greater chance of winning. He resolved to maintain a rigorous balance between offense and defense, like an impenetrable wall. Taiqing was well aware that this would be a tough battle, and he prepared himself with utmost focus, also planning for the long term.

An old servant moved in the tables and chairs, allowing the woman in the yellow shirt to sit in the medicine stall, much like a wandering doctor setting up a booth to treat patients. The woman in the yellow shirt lowered her head in contemplation for a while, then suddenly raised her head and said: "I have a matter that is unclear." Zhu Hu was taken aback and asked: "What?"

Thus, although everyone may find salvation, this mystery remains a mystery after all. The woman in the yellow dress seemed distracted, and her pace of diagnosis gradually slowed down. Soon, as the sun leaned towards the western mountains, there were still about twenty people waiting in the grass shed. Unexpectedly, at this moment, the woman in the yellow dress stood up and said: "Heroes, I am physically exhausted, and today will be the end of my work. Tomorrow at the hour of Shen, I will certainly return to continue the consultation." Mao Yanzuo was taken aback and pointed at Tang Guangting, exclaiming loudly: "Wait, there is still a patient here, very important, you..." He was solely focused on the strange symptoms on Tang Guangting, but at that moment, the woman in the yellow dress interrupted him, saying: "Every future patient seeking medical help is very important to me." After saying this, she led her old servant and left directly in front of everyone.

Song Zhenshan thought to himself: "Who do I, Song Zhenshan, think I am? To say such words to provoke me, they truly underestimate me." As he saw Yang Jingxiu charging at him with a knife, he slightly tilted his sword and slashed diagonally. When the knife and sword clashed, Song Zhenshan felt that the opponent's knife lacked any internal power, so he purely relied on his sword techniques to defend. Since neither of them used internal energy, the intricacies of their techniques were fully displayed. One was a rare martial arts prodigy from the Long Sword Sect in recent years, and the other was a rapidly rising star in the martial world. Each showcased their strengths and displayed their exceptional skills, and the tension and danger of the situation were no less than the chaotic battles between Mo Gaotian and Taiqing with their fellow disciples. Since neither of them used internal energy, the intricacies of their techniques were fully displayed. One was a rare martial arts prodigy from the Long Sword Sect in recent years, and the other was a rapidly rising star in the martial world. Each showcased their strengths and displayed their exceptional skills, and the tension and danger of the situation were no less than the chaotic battles between Mo Gaotian and Taiqing with their fellow disciples.

I regret: "If I had known, I shouldn't have let her go that day. A hug, a kiss would have been fine. I could have done this and that..." My mind is filled with wild fantasies and chaotic thoughts. Deep down, I still hope to truly be with Mei Yingxue.

Even though his thoughts were in disarray, and memories came rushing back in a jumble, Tang Guangting did not dare to slow down for a moment underfoot. Thus, he walked while thinking, passing by several familiar places, bending around a mountain pass, climbing over a pile of rocks, and arriving at a platform against a mountain wall. Before him, he saw a crack in the mountain wall that appeared as if it had been split open by a sharp blade, reaching all the way to the mountain peak. A thin stream of water flowed out from the crack in the rock wall, reminiscent of the scene when he first arrived. Tang Guangting carefully examined the hidden marks in front of the cave, confirming that he had finally returned. A thin stream of water flowed out from the crack in the rock wall, reminiscent of the scene when he first arrived. Tang Guangting carefully examined the hidden marks in front of the cave, confirming that he had finally returned

This sword strike was both swift and fierce, forcing Mo Gao Tian to intervene. At that moment, his hands were weary from the repeated techniques, making it difficult to maneuver. He could only push off with his feet, propelling his body forward by three feet in a hurry. Following that, he kicked back with his foot, neutralizing the incoming attack. At this point, the two individuals had also escaped from danger, holding their swords to protect the vulnerabilities of the other person.

Feng Yunyue did not respond, and what followed was a profound silence. After a while, Wan Xiaodan said, "What do you want to say? It’s alright, just go ahead and say it." Feng Yunyue replied, "Nothing... nothing at all..." Wan Xiaodan sighed and said, "Junior brother, after this incident, we have shared hardships together, and our bond has deepened. Is there anything you cannot share with me? I know that it was my fault that you lost an eye; even though your life is spared, you are still half disabled. If you resent me, I do not blame you. However, those who achieve great things do not concern themselves with trivial matters. For a man, the primary focus should be on achieving success and honing skills in literature and martial arts; appearance and looks are secondary."

Tang Guangting thought to himself that this was for the best, as it would prevent others from discovering anything and save him from unnecessary talk. He then stealthily walked out of the tent, covering a distance of about ten zhang before he felt it safe to stride forward confidently.

Mo Gao Tian said: "They are just three miscellaneous Taoists from the Wujimen, hmm, the Wujimen indeed has some skills." Another Taoist, seeing Mo Gao Tian looking around, shouted: "If the old fellow knows the severity of the situation, he should have refrained from sticking his neck out for others; provoking the Wujimen could lead to dire consequences for you." Mo Gao Tian glared at him and said: "You think I will be the one to suffer? Has Xuanji, that arrogant one, come as well?" The Taoist's expression changed, and he shouted: "Impudence!" With a flick of his wrist, the sword light pointed directly at him. The sword formation practiced by the three of them was such that pulling one thread would move the entire body; the other two, without hesitation, swung their swords to surround him again.

Tang Guangcheng was filled with doubt. Ding Yunzhong emerged from the thatched hut, clasped his hands, and said, "I am Ding from Guiyun Mountain Villa..." Just as he was about to say something to ease the situation, suddenly voices were heard from outside the mountain hollow, shouting, "Over here!" Three gray figures rushed into the thatched hut, without any explanation, brandishing their swords to stab. One person inside the hut swiftly dodged and broke through the sword formation formed by the three. The gray figures shouted loudly and immediately gave chase. One person inside the hut swiftly dodged and broke through the sword formation formed by the three. The gray figures shouted loudly and immediately gave chase.

At this moment, the people behind also hurried forward. The foremost among them was a middle-aged man, with a face like a jade crown and an imposing demeanor. He stepped forward, cupped his fists in salute towards the thatched hut, and said: "I am Song Zhenshan from the Changjian Sect, paying my respects to the esteemed elder Mo."

As Yongqing moved his arm again, intending to take action, Taiqing extended his arm to block him and shook his head. He turned to Mo Gaotian and said, "It turns out that the senior is residing here. I sincerely apologize for the abrupt disturbance today. As long as we capture this person named Yang, the four of us will take our leave. Since the senior is in good health, we would like to invite you to Wujimen for a gathering, and the four of us brothers will certainly host a banquet to welcome you and make amends." These words were spoken neither too humbly nor too arrogantly, both undermining and flattering Mo Gaotian. Mo Gaotian laughed heartily and said, "You certainly know how to speak well."

Mo Gaotian did not answer directly, only saying: "Miss Lin, I have a question for you, and you must answer honestly." At this moment, Lin Lanping's mood had gradually calmed down. She turned around and asked: "I wonder what you wish to ask, senior?" Mo Gaotian replied: "I ask you, since the day I brought you to the Qianyao Sect, in the days that followed until now, have I ever restricted your freedom? Or have I exerted any influence over you to control your actions?"

On that day, Song Zhenshan offended Mo Gaotian, which could be said to be out of necessity. Now that there is an opportunity to turn enemies into friends, he certainly does not wish to have further conflict with Mo Gaotian. Even if he cannot befriend Mo Gaotian, at least the Longjian Sect can have one less enemy. Therefore, facing Taiqing's request, Song Zhenshan felt quite troubled. However, he was also unwilling to directly refuse Taiqing, so he said: "The Three Clear Sword Formation is unparalleled in power and not to be underestimated. If Senior Brother Taiqing were to assist from the side, even if this person truly had three heads and six arms, he would not be able to escape unscathed. I, lacking in talent, would like to ask Senior Brother Taiqing for a small favor. This brother surnamed Yang has offended the Wujimen, and I will certainly do my utmost to keep him here, at least to provide an explanation to the Wujimen."

Among the five senses of humans, touch is the least sensitive, while taste is the most sensitive. Following taste are smell, hearing, and vision. This explains why infants often put objects into their mouths first, and why reciting a Tang poem or an article aloud is more effective than merely reading it with the eyes. Furthermore, when we hear a beautiful song, often years or even decades later, upon hearing it again, regardless of whether there are lyrics, past memories will immediately resurface. It is important to understand that the more sensitive a sense is, the more it is accompanied by sensitive associations. At that moment, when Tang Guangting smells the scent from that day, the scene from that time naturally emerges, and the body's reaction instantly returns to that moment, causing emotions to fluctuate.

He was unaware that his internal strength had already reached a minor achievement, unlike more than ten days ago when he had just descended the mountain, completely lacking any foundation in internal martial arts. Therefore, this time, as he climbed the rocks, his energy surged, and his body lightly soared upwards. Using both hands and feet, he soon reached the summit of the cliff. Looking up, he saw the starlit sky, just as it had been at that time, but the bright moon now only remained half full.

After a pause, he continued: "This person is in direct confrontation with Vice Leader Jiang, and if his martial arts cannot injure Vice Leader Jiang, then it is indeed impossible for him to openly breach a more stringent defense with the Scorpion Tail Needle. Therefore, in my opinion, the one who has been poisoned by the Scorpion Tail Needle should be your esteemed Leader Wang, correct?"

The moon waxes and wanes, gatherings and separations, from ancient times to the present, it has always been thus. Tang Guangting felt a sense of unease in his heart as he followed the flow of the water and walked forward. After several twists and turns, enduring much hardship, he finally saw a spring gushing into a pool before him. The water in the pool shimmered with light, and mist curled gently in the air. The scenery remained unchanged, but where were the faces of the people?

The woman in the yellow shirt pondered for a moment and said, "So you are here seeking medical help..." Zhu Hu replied, "Before today, we truly had no idea that so many people shared the same plight as us." He reached into his pocket and took out a piece of paper, continuing, "This note is here." The woman in the yellow shirt noticed that the paper was full of creases, clearly having been handled multiple times, and the handwriting was neat, unlike something hastily concocted.

At that moment, Tang Guangting suddenly shouted, "I know! Hehe, I know!" Mo Gaotian replied, "You little rascal, what do you know this time?" It turned out that Tang Guangting, unwilling to have his conclusions about his sworn brother questioned, racked his brains and finally discovered an interesting connection. He laughed repeatedly and said, "I have a discovery that can prove that old servant is none other than Senior Wan."

Mo Gao laughed heartily, no longer making any moves, standing with his hands behind his back. He addressed the person whose wrist he had just brushed against: "Your skills are quite impressive; what is your name?" The person, whose acupoint had just been struck, felt a lingering numbness in his entire arm. Despite the discomfort, he forced himself to respond slowly: "I am a disciple of the Wujimen, with the Dao name Yiqing. May I ask who you are and why you are obstructing my three fellow disciples from carrying out their tasks?"

Tang Guangting said: "Mo, last time when you and I escorted Miss Lin, which disciple of the Qianyao Sect did we meet first?" Mo Gaotian replied: "Do you think I am getting old and confused? Last time, that old fellow Wan Huichun was not present; it was one of his disciples, specifically the granddaughter of Master Mei, who was responsible for taking care of Miss Lin. Also, it was I who brought you both here, not 'you' and I escorting Miss Lin. Is that clear enough for you?"

Wan Xiaodan said: "Isn't that stinky girl the one who brought in the helpers? I still don't know for sure, but among these people, there is a kid who is with them. He said his name is Tang Guangting." Tang Guangting thought to himself: "Now it's come to me."

Na Songqing said: "Senior Brother, this person is boasting. Looking across the world, who could possibly injure our Master with a single palm? He is provoking us, trying to draw us into his trap." Mo Gaotian replied displeased: "Kid, do you know who I am? How do you know I don't have that capability? Come, come, words can't settle this; let's determine the outcome through a fight."

However, as the saying goes, "the closer one is to home, the more timid one feels." At this moment, a troubling thought suddenly flashed through his mind; he feared that when he moved aside this pile of stones, what he would see would be Mei Yingxue's body forever in eternal slumber. With this thought, his steps unconsciously slowed down.

Tang Guangting was unclear about the scent in the air; after all, could it also be a type of traditional Chinese medicinal herb? Otherwise, why was he now not only feeling breathless and his blood vessels engorged, but also experiencing a pervasive heat throughout his body, with sweat pouring down like rain?

As soon as the sun rose today, Yang Jingxiu informed everyone about the disappearance of Tang Guangting. Since leaving Jiangnan, Lin Lanping had been almost inseparable from Tang Guangting, so she was quite worried upon hearing that he had suddenly vanished. Ding Ling comforted her, saying, "Sister, do not panic. Brother Tang is clever and quite mischievous; perhaps he has sneaked out on his own and will return soon." Lin Lanping hurriedly replied, "Who is panicking? I don't care about him!"

Indeed, Ding Yunzhong also felt that there was something suspicious about the matter. However, Wan Huichun had clearly returned to Qianyaomen, and since he had not shown himself, he must have his own plans. In light of the unclear situation, it was certainly not appropriate for him to take any action. Turning around, he noticed Mo Gaotian sitting alone nearby, his face devoid of any expression of joy or anger. With his doubts difficult to resolve at the moment, he approached and quietly asked: "This whole matter seems rather strange; the more I look at it, the more confused I become. Moreover, it appears that Wan Huichun has no intention of coming out from Qianyaomen, which really does not align with his character."

Yang Jingxiu was completely unaware of what had transpired at that time and had no way of knowing the truth of the matter. However, Lin Lanping indeed witnessed Xue Yuanfang from beginning to end, and it was not just a single exchange with Mo Gaotian. Later, it was also true that Mo Gaotian captured Shanqing and made him suffer, and perhaps it was at that moment that Mo Gaotian injured him. Therefore, from their expressions, it seemed that this incident was indeed true. As for Ding Yuzhong and his son, they harbored resentment towards Xue Yuanfang for disregarding the principles of the martial world. At this moment, seeing Mo Gaotian play with them in such a bewildering manner, they could only secretly chuckle to themselves, waiting to see a good show. Thus, from their expressions, it appeared that this incident was indeed true.

Taiqing sensed a considerable hostility in his tone, so he no longer engaged in pleasantries and said, "It seems that this Qianyao Sect is not a place that only Senior Mo can access." Mo Gaotian replied, "You are correct. If someone gets injured, they can stay here for a while. I find this place quite spacious; even if we squeeze in four more people, it shouldn't pose any issues."

Not long after Tang Guangting secretly got up and left, Yang Jingxiu, concerned about Tang Guangting resting in the grass shed, felt his physical condition fluctuating. To avoid any mishaps, he followed him back. Upon his return, he found that Tang Guangting was missing, which made him extremely anxious. He turned around and quietly shook Lin Lanping awake.

Mo Gaotian himself did not understand why he felt compelled to stand up for Yang Jingxiu. If part of it was intentionally to embarrass Xuanji, another part might be for Tang Guangting's sake. Yang Jingxiu is a sworn brother of Tang Guangting; if he were to find out that Mo Gaotian had watched helplessly as the people from Wujimen took him away, he would likely end up resenting himself as well, and the path of master and disciple would only grow more distant from then on. As for why Mo Gaotian always wanted to take Tang Guangting as his disciple, that is likely a mystery even he himself does not understand.

One Qingdao said: "My two senior brothers and I, under the grace of our master and elder, have been studying the Three Clear Sword Formation of our sect in the Wujimen. We have always practiced together as three..." Mo Gaotian waved his hand and said: "Who told you this? Why are you rambling on with a bunch of mixed-up words? I am speaking with Xuanji, what does it have to do with you? Have you all finished speaking? If you have, then please leave."

Everyone found her response strange and confusing, completely at a loss. What did she mean by "however" followed by "there's nothing wrong with hetushucom.com"? However, Wei Zhengren did not dwell on it and simply said, "In that case, we must rely on Sister Fang to resolve this for everyone." The woman in the yellow shirt hesitated and said, "As long as everyone is willing to stay here and not force their way in, everything can be negotiated."

The woman in the yellow shirt said: "According to you, the deputy leader of your gang was attacked while drinking with friends. What about his friends? Were they also poisoned?" Zhu Hu hesitated for a moment and replied: "He didn't mention it..." The woman in the yellow shirt asked again: "Aside from being poisoned, did Deputy Leader Jiang sustain any other internal injuries?" Zhu Hu responded: "He was only poisoned... Is this serious?"

Zhu Hu said: "I, the Iron Horse Gang, serve as the deputy leader Jiang. Four days ago, while drinking with friends at a tavern, I was inexplicably ambushed by villains. My body has turned blue, my limbs are stiff, and I have been in a coma ever since, constantly mumbling incoherently. The assailant left a note stating: 'This person has been poisoned by a scorpion's tail needle, and will die within seven days. Only the Thousand Medicine Sect can provide the antidote.' Furthermore, to ensure we do not lose our way, the note also included a map. Our Iron Horse Gang is located in northern Shaanxi, and we can reach the destination in three days if we travel day and night without rest. However, if we carry Deputy Leader Jiang with us, there may be unforeseen mishaps along the way. Therefore, the leader has sent the three of us to seek the medicine here. We sincerely hope that Master Fang will extend her benevolence and save our deputy leader."

Taiqing saw that he was unwilling to offend even Yang Jingxiu, so naturally, he did not expect him to offer assistance. However, since he mentioned that he would keep Yang Jingxiu, it relieved them of the trouble of having to keep an eye on him. He said, "Brother Song, you are too modest!" Seeing Mo Gaotian amidst the sword net of the three junior brothers, charging left and right without showing any signs of defeat, he feared that if this continued, there might truly be an accident. He raised his sword and said, "Senior Mo is indeed a master. If we only engage in our sect's sword formation for guidance, it might lead to the senior being ridiculed and bullied by the younger generation. Instead, why don't the four of us learn from the senior's high skills together, so that the senior won't have to worry too much."

As the voices drew nearer, several disciples of the Qianyao Sect approached. Shortly after, they returned, and one of them hurried to Chen Youxin, saying: "These individuals are here to seek someone. Allow them to wait in this grass shed first while I go in to report. Do not let them wander around."

The three members of the Ding family, due to their grievances with the Wujimen stemming from Xue Yuanfang, naturally leaned towards Mo Gaotian and Yang Jingxiu, hoping that the two would emerge victorious. However, Lin Lanping found herself in a difficult position, especially regarding Song Zhanshan, who had guided her for two years. Although they did not have the formal title of master and disciple, their relationship was akin to one. Ideally, both sides would achieve a draw and come to a peaceful resolution.

Lin Lanping watched as the group of unexpected visitors gradually approached, feeling that she had seen the faces of several among them before. Suddenly, a young man broke away from the crowd and hurried towards her. As Lin Lanping recognized him, tears streamed down her face uncontrollably. She rushed out of the grass shed and embraced the young man, weeping. The young man gently stroked her head and said softly, "Don't be afraid, don't be afraid. That old man didn't bully you, did he?" Lin Lanping shook her head

While Yu Zheng was lost in self-reproach, suddenly a voice echoed in his ears. Tang Guangting was startled and thought the voice sounded like a man's. However, at this moment, anyone who appeared, as long as they were not a woman, was likely to be a bad person. He quickly stood up and hurried to leave, but there was nowhere to hide in the cave. He had no choice but to hurriedly retreat back to the crevice in the mountain wall from which he had originally come, careful not to make a sound underfoot.

Lin Lanping felt quite displeased by the other party's aggressive demeanor. Moreover, although Xue Yuanfang had helped her reach Guiyun Villa, he subsequently assisted the Song court in dealing with Master Ding, which further irked her and altered her perception of the Wujimen. Furthermore, it was a fact that Yang Jingxiu was injured, and the cold sarcasm from the monks was truly lacking in decorum. Before Yang Jingxiu could respond, she interjected, saying: "Brother Yang has been dealing with your Wujimen in turns these past few days. Initially, it was Daoist Lu, and later, several others including Daoist Xue surrounded him in a wheel battle, resulting in significant injuries. Moreover, it is indeed a fact that Yang Jingxiu is injured, and the cold sarcasm from the monks is truly lacking in decorum. Before Yang Jingxiu could respond, she interjected, saying: 'Brother Yang has been dealing with your Wujimen in turns these past few days. Initially, it was Daoist Lu, and later, several others including Daoist Xue surrounded him in a wheel battle, resulting in significant injuries. He is currently recuperating at Qianyao Gate and cannot engage in combat for forty-nine days. You should take your leave, as there are still forty-seven days remaining until the end of this period.'

Wei Zhengren said: "We are the parties involved, and the doubts and fears in our hearts are likely a hundred times greater than those of Sister Fang." The woman in the yellow dress replied: "Indeed." Wei Zhengren continued: "However, Sister Fang just mentioned that at this moment, everything in the Thousand Medicine Gate is under her control, is that not so?" The woman in the yellow dress blushed, and the shy expression from earlier reappeared as she said: "But I really... yes, yes, that is correct..."

For the current plan, it is best to closely follow Mogao Tian without leaving his side; otherwise, Yang Jingxiu would also be acceptable

After finally escaping from the cave, Tang Guangting focused his eyes and realized he was already on the back mountain of Qianyao Gate. Looking around, the forest was lush and the grass grew up to his waist, making it quite concealed. When he looked up, although the sky was bright, the sun was still behind the eastern mountain, indicating that it had only recently risen. However, he could not figure out what time it was now, so he had no choice but to hurry down the mountain.

The person with squinted eyes said, "Why don't I just go and bring her over later, or simply take decisive action..." The person he was facing replied, "Junior brother, you must not act rashly..." Turning slightly, half of his face was revealed. Upon seeing this, Tang Guangting was taken aback and quickly retracted his head. He thought to himself, "No wonder this voice sounds familiar; goodness, this is serious. Aren't these two Wan Xiaodan and Feng Yunyue? What happened to that one surnamed Feng to end up like this?"

Mo Gaotian turned towards the sound and saw a man in black with his face covered, holding Tang Guangting from behind and dragging him away. Mo Gaotian shouted, "Who is it? Stop right there!" Just as he was about to chase after them, he moved slightly, and the Sanqing Sword detected the flaw, immediately surrounding him from both sides. Mo Gaotian channeled his internal energy and pushed forward, shouting, "Get out of the way." The Sanqing Sword formation responded, retreating three steps, yet the encirclement remained unchanged. Mo Gaotian pushed three times in total, and each time it was the same, making him unable to help but laugh, saying, "Ha, this formation is truly strange." He said to Lin Lanping, "Miss Lin, that kid Tang Guangting seems to have gotten himself into trouble and has been captured, and he is now being taken towards the forest in front of you! These little rascals are keeping me occupied, so you should hurry over and take a look."

Tang Guangting increasingly felt that it made sense, and for a girl as beautiful as her, it was only natural to want to wash away the dirt after crawling out of a muddy pit. The spring water flowed gently on the ground, reminiscent of Mei Yingxue's deeply affectionate calls. Tang Guangting made up his mind; he would once again follow the waterfall in this cave, swimming upstream. This was quite different from the time when he was poisoned by boiling corrosive soup and colorful flower spiders, when he had to push forward with all his might to alleviate the pain in his body. Although the experience was still a mix of flavors, the sweetness of this moment was simply incomparable.

It turned out that on that day, Feng Yunyao accidentally got the poisonous blood from the colorful spider splashed into his right eye, causing him to go blind immediately. The venom spread and affected the skin around his eye. If it weren't for Wan Xiaodan's efforts to save him, he might not have survived. Tang Guangting was unaware that all of this was his doing. If he had known the current state of Feng Yunyao, he would have been filled with such hatred for himself that he would probably no longer dare to stay there and continue eavesdropping.

At this moment, Tang Guangting's eyes gradually adapted to the darkness, allowing him to discern the direction as he headed straight towards the place where Mei Yingxue had been buried. Indeed, after advancing for a short distance, he could vaguely see the pile of stones he had placed there.

He suddenly stood up and cleverly poked his head out. Indeed, he saw that the area around the pool was completely empty, not even a shadow of a ghost. Feng Yunyu, who had practiced swordplay across the way last night, had long since disappeared. Tang Guangting shouted loudly and hurriedly chased after him.

He did not know how long he had slept. The first thought that crossed Tang Guangting's mind when he opened his eyes was: "Oh no, it's over!"

Feng Yunyue said: "Tang Guangting? I haven't heard of him. Which sect is he from?" Wan Xiaodan replied: "Which sect doesn't matter; what's important is, coincidentally, this gentleman is the very brat who was soaking in this pool with that foul girl on that day."

Yang Jingxiu was unwilling to let Mo Gaotian conflict with the Wujimen for his sake, while he himself stood by as if nothing were happening. He then said to Song Zhanshan: "I have long admired your esteemed name, Brother Song. It is a pleasure to meet you today, truly a pleasure!" Song Zhanshan replied: "Brother Yang, your reputation as a swift blade is indeed renowned throughout the world, known far and wide." Yang Jingxiu continued: "This situation today is quite awkward, but since Brother Song wishes to keep me here, you must demonstrate some skill. How about this: let us both practice a bit. If you can keep me here, that will be your skill; if you cannot, then I shall certainly visit you another day."

Taiqing was taken aback, pointing his sword directly and stammering, "What did you say?" At the same time, he occasionally glanced at the expressions of Lin Lanping and Yang Jingxiu

In fact, in the hearts of Mo Gao Tian and Ding Yun Zhong, they had long since made up their minds that tonight would be a crucial moment to unravel this mystery. Perhaps Wan Hui Chun had similar intentions, deliberately leaving a thread to continue tomorrow.

The woman in the yellow shirt said: "It is not that I wish to speak of this matter. However, when it comes to the medicinal prescriptions used by the Qianyao Sect, in addition to accurately addressing the symptoms, factors such as the current weather, seasonal changes, humidity, heat, as well as the patient's height, weight, gender, and age, will also influence the compatibility of the medicinal ingredients. My three senior brothers have traveled a long way and worked hard; if the prescription is not sufficiently precise, while it may preserve the life of Chief Wang, his martial arts will be difficult to restore to their former glory."

Once again, there was a profound silence all around. Tang Guangting did not dare to breathe too heavily, slowly peeking his head out. He could see Wan Xiaodan pacing back and forth, moving slowly, while Feng Yunyue stood by, watching intently.

Mo Gaotian possesses formidable martial skills and has a capricious temperament. Whether this action is auspicious or ominous, Taiqing has no certainty. However, if my master’s uncle and junior truly perish at this person's hands, this enmity must be avenged. Seeing Mo Gaotian seemingly maneuvering effortlessly within the Sanqing Sword Formation, I thought that if I do not compel him to concede through force today, I will not learn the true circumstances of Master Xue. If this matter is confirmed in the future, would I not regret it? Observing Mo Gaotian still appearing at ease in the Sanqing Sword Formation, I thought that if I do not compel him to concede through force today, I will not learn the true circumstances of Master Xue. If this matter is confirmed in the future, would I not regret it? I then said to Song Zhanshan: "Brother Song, our Wujimen and Changjianmen are originally one family. The founder of the Changjian Sect was a third-generation disciple of Wujimen. When he established his own sect, he also mentioned: 'The two sects are to be regarded as brothers, sharing the same roots.' You can see the situation today; I hope you will not go against the good intentions of our predecessors.

The woman in the yellow shirt said: "Brother Zhu, you may return to Shaanbei and find another pharmacy to procure medicine. However, if you do not mind, at our Qianyao Gate, whether it be insects, snakes, minerals, or the herbs of the four seasons, we have everything that is naturally available. There is no need for you to go far when you can find it nearby." Fearing that he might hesitate and be unable to decide, she added, "The medicinal ingredients I provide are generally not commonly found in ordinary pharmacies, so it would be more reliable for us to assist you in procuring them."

This is quite different from his daytime state of being possessed, as it is due to the effect of Mao Tianzuo's Earth Rhinoceros Spirit-Connecting Pill, which temporarily halted the influence of the Nine Transformations Muscle-Transforming Pill

Tang Guangting secretly lamented and muttered, "You never practice early or late, yet you choose to practice in the dead of night. You have a dark patch on your face and a blind eye, afraid that others will see. Is it that even your sword is like you, afraid of being seen?" He was unaware that Feng Yunyue, since losing sight in one eye, had experienced some deviation in his swordsmanship. The reason he practiced swordplay at night was actually to quickly make up for this weakness, proving himself to be a diligent and persevering individual

Ding Baiyun responded with a "Yes" but thought to himself, "Has my father already made plans for the rest of his life, to venture through the world with my sister and me?" For the past few days, this question had been on his mind. Since childhood, his greatest wish had been to become a person like his father, or even to surpass him. This meant being respected in the martial world, loved by the common people in his hometown, serving the court loyally, receiving titles and benefits, engaging in trade, acquiring land and property, and ultimately gaining power and influence, achieving fame and fortune, and becoming a true local overlord.

It turned out that he had not slept at all. Ever since he entered this valley, the figure of Mei Yingxue had continuously appeared in his mind. Counting carefully, he was unsure whether today was the seventh or eighth day. In any case, tonight, he had to go to that cave on the mountain to take a walk and have a look.

However, the plan that Tang Guangting had in mind hinged on the prerequisite of leaving this cursed place as soon as possible. Yet, from what he just heard from Wan Xiaodan, it seemed that only he would be leaving, while Feng Yunyue was to remain. Tang Guangting listened intently, and as expected, he soon heard the sound of someone departing. After a short while, the person who stayed behind began to run and jump in place, suddenly drawing a weapon, the sound of the wind whistling as they practiced their swordsmanship.

Yang Jingxiu joyfully said, "Really? Hurry up and tell me more." Tang Guangting replied, "Earlier, when I saw that Miss Fang, she was shy and reserved, speaking very ungraciously. However, when it came to discussing illnesses and pharmacology, or the characters in the martial world and the weapons and skills they used, she was quite loquacious, which is not typical for someone of her eighteen or nineteen years. Later, I recalled how on the way, Brother Ding Baiyun mentioned that during his time at Guiyun Villa, Senior Wan had once demonstrated a skill that even Senior Mo was unaware of, wasn't it?"

Wan Xiaodan continued: "Today, a few uninvited guests have arrived outside. Among them is Ding, the owner of Guiyun Mountain Villa. There are also several others whose names I do not know, but from their appearance, it is clear they are not ordinary characters. Taking advantage of the night, they are likely searching everywhere in the valley right now. If you go out, won't that be just the opportunity they need to catch you?" Feng Yunyu replied: "Are you suggesting that these people are helpers brought by that insufferable girl?"

He quietly got up and saw Lin Lanping and Ding Ling lying together fully clothed, with Ding Baiyun lying at their feet. Apart from them, Mo Gaotian, Ding Yuzhong, and his sworn brother Yang Jingxiu were nowhere to be found. The others from different sects were sprawled out on the ground in disarray.

As Wei Zhengren looked up, he saw the woman in the yellow shirt standing in front of the "No Medicine Pavilion." According to the rules of the Qianyao Sect, those seeking medical treatment must pass the No Medicine Pavilion to be considered as having entered the Qianyao Sect and to be recognized as patients of the Qianyao Sect. Therefore, the actions of the woman in the yellow shirt seemed to have ulterior motives

Wei Zhengren could never have imagined that this matter would be so effortlessly simple. Seeing Ding Yunzong beside him, he casually remarked, "Master Ding, do you not feel that there is something quite strange about this matter, which is rather unsettling?" Ding Yunzong recalled that he was accompanying Tang Guangting to seek medical help, and replied, "Having heard everyone’s accounts of their experiences, it indeed raises suspicions. However, observing this young lady’s earnest efforts to treat everyone, her words and actions do not seem to be insincere. Therefore, I believe that the one who poses a threat to everyone is the mysterious person who has acted harmfully." Wei Zhengren mumbled something in his throat, neither affirming nor denying, appearing to agree yet also seeming to disagree.

At that time, Song Zhanshan was still lingering on Sword Casting Mountain. After some explanations between both parties, Tang Guangcheng finally understood that even if he held Lin Yanxiu captive, he could not bring back his beloved son. Therefore, he discussed with Song Zhanshan to send out scouts for assistance, while asking Song Zhanshan to provide support from the side, because as long as they could find Tang Guangting, Lin Lanping would surely be nearby. Without a second thought, Song Zhanshan readily agreed. After two days of travel, Song Zhanshan received a message from Shen Fengming through a messenger, stating that both Lin Lanping and Tang Guangting were likely still at Qianyao Gate. Thus, he discussed with Song Zhanshan to send out scouts for assistance, while asking Song Zhanshan to provide support from the side, because as long as they could find Tang Guangting, Lin Lanping would surely be nearby. Without a second thought, Song Zhanshan readily agreed. After two days of travel, Song Zhanshan received a message from Shen Fengming through a messenger, stating that both Lin Lanping and Tang Guangting were likely still at Qianyao Gate. Upon hearing such news, Tang Guangcheng decided to make the journey himself; however, he did not know the location of Qianyao Gate, so he sought out Song Zhanshan and others along the way. Two days prior, both parties' horsemen met and hurried through the night towards Qianyao Gate.

At this moment, Song Zhanshan found Lin Lanping, and the days of depression were finally swept away. Tang Guangcheng stood behind Song Zhanshan, unable to see his son on either side, and hurriedly said: "I am Tang Guangcheng. A few nights ago, I met with the esteemed Elder Mo and would like to extend my regards to him. Now that Miss Lin and Young Master Lin are both here, I wonder where my wayward son is at this moment"

Yang Jingxiu said: "Look at that old servant's stature, he is about the same height as Master Wan. However, since he is willing to help these people, yet refuses to reveal his true identity, it is indeed contrary to common sense. One explanation I have is that, first, Master Wan does not know the background of these individuals and wants to probe their true intentions. Second, the mysterious person who planned this whole affair has not yet appeared; if he remains in the shadows, he can avoid putting himself in danger, making the situation much easier to handle." Ding Yunzong nodded in agreement.

At this moment, Tang Guangting, Lin Lanping, and the Ding siblings also gathered around. Ding Ling said, "You are assuming that the old man is indeed Uncle Wan. How can you be sure that Uncle Wan is that old servant?" Yang Jingxiu replied with a smile, "I am reasoning based on common sense. When he returned inside, he first instructed all disciples to keep silent, and then he disguised himself as a servant to secretly control the situation. If everything remained peaceful, he would continue in this disguise, but if an unexpected situation arose, he could immediately step forward. This is a very reasonable approach, but as for any proof, I personally cannot provide any."

Mogao Tian was slightly taken aback. He was bold and skilled, tilting his head to the side as he pointed at the sword above his forehead, which passed just half an inch from his face. Then, with a swift motion of his right hand, he struck the Yangchi acupoint on the right wrist of the person who was pointing a sword at his right wrist. That person's right hand went numb, and the long sword nearly slipped from his grasp, prompting him to leap back in haste

Yang Jingxiu said: "However, Miss Mei has not appeared at all today, which is a bit strange. Ah, brother, I apologize, please continue your story." Tang Guangting's face flushed, and he replied: "It's nothing, perhaps Senior Wan... um, well, he instructed Miss Mei not to make an appearance for the time being, right?" Changing the subject, he continued: "That is why Senior Wan disguised himself as an old servant, following behind Miss Fang. As my brother Yang said, it is to control the overall situation, and he must also be there to guide Miss Fang in her medical skills and the anecdotes of the martial world. The method used is 'ventriloquism'! Haha..." Thinking of this cleverness, he couldn't help but laugh out loud. The method used is 'ventriloquism'! Haha..." Thinking of this cleverness, he couldn't help but laugh out loud.

Then Wei Zhengren startled everyone into a daze, and naturally assumed the role of the leader. He turned around and asked the woman in the yellow dress, "May I ask your esteemed surname, Master Sister?" The woman in the yellow dress replied, "My surname is Fang." Wei Zhengren said, "So it is Master Sister Fang." The woman in the yellow dress responded, "I dare not." Wei Zhengren continued, "Master Sister Fang must have heard about our group’s situation, right?" The woman in the yellow dress replied, "I did hear, but it is truly... truly very strange..."

The cave was permeated with dampness, and a peculiar scent lingered in the air. Tang Guangting felt a sudden surge of energy upon inhaling it, thinking to himself: "Indeed, this is the very scent from that day." Suddenly, images of Mei Yingxue bathing in the mountain-top pool flashed in his mind, along with her skin, which was as smooth and white as jade, resembling that of a flower.

Lin Lanping, with sleepy eyes, half-opened and half-closed, asked, "Yang... Yang, brother, is it... is it dawn yet?" Yang Jingxiu saw that her reaction was normal and replied, "It’s not dawn yet, it’s fine, you can continue to sleep." He stepped out of the tent, circled around the area, found nothing, and then headed further out of the valley. On the way, he encountered Mo Gaotian, and the two of them discussed how they had hardly slept all night over Tang Guangting.

Mo Gaotian shouted, "What are you doing!" He leaped forward to block their path, extending his right hand to flick one of the person's long sword. With a clang, the sword flew out of the person's hand, soaring into the air. Mo Gaotian swiftly moved in to seize the long sword, but suddenly, two sword tips were thrust towards his face simultaneously, one pointing at the Shen Ting acupoint on his forehead, and the other directed at the Yang Chi acupoint on the back of his hand. These two moves were both quick and precise, executed in perfect harmony.

Lin Lanping recalled: "Leaving the Qianyao Sect was my escape; later, I arrived at the Guiyun Villa, which was led by Daoist Xue. Today, I returned here, following everyone together, and it was all my own willing choice." She then said: "No." Mo Gaotian continued: "Miss Lin, you must think this through. Are you saying that you are following me of your own accord? Is that what you mean?" Lin Lanping replied: "I am following everyone; it cannot be said that I am following you."

Yongqing spoke to Yang Jing: "You, with the surname Yang, are indeed a prominent figure in the martial world. If you truly have any ailments, we, as Daoists, are not the kind to take advantage of others' misfortunes. Waiting for you is no trouble at all. However, if you intend to hide here and let others fight your battles for you, do let us know. We will simply consider you no longer a figure in the martial world, and my Wujimen will no longer trouble you. How does that sound?"

Wei Zhengren observed the chaotic scene and, having just taken on the leading role, felt compelled to step forward and restore order. He raised his voice and said, "Everyone, please do not panic. This Qianyao Gate is a significant place. Since Miss Fang has already promised everyone, she will certainly keep her word. If everyone crowds together, Miss Fang will not be able to help anyone." Although his words were reasonable, establishing a fair order of precedence was no easy task. Wei Zhengren could not concern himself with such complexities; he decided that those who had traveled from afar would take the first position, with others following suit. He reiterated, "Everyone, please do not panic. This Qianyao Gate is a significant place. Since Miss Fang has already promised everyone, she will certainly keep her word. If everyone crowds together, Miss Fang will not be able to help anyone." Although his words were reasonable, establishing a fair order of precedence was no easy task. Wei Zhengren could not concern himself with such complexities; he decided that those who had traveled from afar would take the first position, with others following suit. Among the crowd, there were certainly those who were dissatisfied, but given that the majority agreed with this approach, they did not dare to cause trouble at Qianyao Gate.

On this night, as he slept until midnight, Tang Guangting suddenly opened his eyes. Pretending to turn over, he cast a glance and noticed that several people were missing.

It turns out that this person is Song Zhanshan, and that young man is Lin Yanxiu, the brother of Lin Lanping. On the day when Mo Gaotian brought Lin Lanping to seek medical treatment, they encountered Shen Fengming and Xiong Yifei at Qianyao Gate. At that time, the two nearly had a conflict with Mo Gaotian, but fortunately, Mei Yingxue intervened to stop them, thus averting a disaster of bloodshed for both. However, because of this, the two did not dare to stay in the valley that night; in addition to seeking another place to recuperate, they also thought of a way to inform Song Zhanshan.

Mogao frowned and said, "You little brat are just flattering yourself." He turned to Taiqing and said, "Since you have already made up your mind to apologize to me in the future, let us make this business a bit bigger today. Let me put it this way, this person named Yang is unfortunately also a patient here. According to the rules of Qianyaomen, as long as he is a patient of Qianyaomen, no one is allowed to trouble him before he leaves the valley. Therefore, if you want to take him away, you must first ask me." Taiqing was taken aback, his expression slightly changed.

Lin Yanxiu called out: "Sister! Where are you going with the book?" The siblings had finally reunited after much difficulty, fearing that her departure would lead to another separation, so he drew his sword and hurried after her. The remaining bandits from Tang Guangcheng also followed suit upon seeing this. Yang Jingxiu shared the same concern; his swordplay changed as he intended to abandon Song Zhenshan. However, Song Zhenshan was not an ordinary person, and he could not be summoned or dismissed at will. Noticing that Yang Jingxiu's swordplay had suddenly become impatient, he understood his intentions and said: "Brother Yang need not worry; the one who just followed Miss Lin is none other than Tang Guangting's father. A father who loves his son will surely do everything possible to rescue him." Yang Jingxiu thought to himself: "It is said that Song Zhenshan is not only highly skilled in martial arts but also possesses a chivalrous spirit, which is indeed not an exaggeration."

Yongqing Road: "Forty-seven days is too long; there’s no such cheap deal." Looking at Lin Lanping's face, I suddenly felt as if I had seen her somewhere before. Suddenly remembering, I said, "I recall now; I have seen you. That day in town, my Uncle Lu was about to catch someone with the surname Yang. After he escaped, you suddenly appeared with a foolish young man. It seems he saved you at that time. You are in cahoots with this Yang person." Lin Lanping replied, "Daoist Xue brought five or six people to surround him; I certainly did not have the ability to save him."

At this moment, the thought of having to lead a life of constant wandering and instability made it impossible for him to muster any spirit. Furthermore, he harbored a deep resentment towards Lin Lanping for the destruction of his family, a sense of guilt towards Tang Guangting for the attempted murder, and frustration towards Mo Gaotian for failing to become his mentor. Thus, he was solely focused on parting ways with these individuals as soon as possible, lest their presence become increasingly intolerable.

Taiqing recalled the fight between the two, and to this day, the lingering fear remains. It is said that when one is drunk, they are three parts sober; perhaps during the day, when both were clear-headed, neither truly yielded to the other. Taking advantage of the intoxication, both sought to engage in a good contest. However, the effects of the alcohol gradually caused them to lose their sense of proportion. After a fierce struggle, both ended up injured. Taiqing, caught in the crossfire, also fainted. When he awoke the next day, the remnants of the previous night's revelry had long been cleared away. His esteemed teacher never mentioned the events of that night again, and that person never returned to the Wujimen as a guest.

When the crowd saw the Taoist named Taiqing, who appeared to be around fifty years old, tall and with a beard that reached his chest, his large sleeves billowing as he arrived, he exuded an air of solemn authority. If he were to hold a dust whisk in his hand, he would resemble a celestial being from a theatrical performance. Finally, upon hearing him introduce himself as a disciple of the Xuanji Zhenren, everyone could not help but feel a sense of reverence.

Zhu Hu was taken aback, unsure how to respond, while Sun Jun, who had seen little of the world, gasped in surprise. Upon seeing the expressions of these two, the crowd realized that the words of the woman in the yellow dress were not unfounded. Some thought: "The leader of the Iron Horse Gang, Wang Chuanjia, is clearly someone who values face above all else. Now that he has been struck by the scorpion tail needle and is on the brink of death, he still sent out three disciples to mislead others." Guo Dian, noticing the reactions on everyone's faces, understood that this matter could no longer be concealed. He said: "Sister Fang possesses great abilities, which is truly admirable. This should not have been a deception, but my master instructed me thus, and I hope for your understanding." Some thought: "The leader of the Iron Horse Gang, Wang Chuanjia, is clearly someone who values face above all else. Now that he has been struck by the scorpion tail needle and is on the brink of death, he still sent out three disciples to mislead others." Guo Dian, noticing the reactions on everyone's faces, understood that this matter could no longer be concealed. He said: "Sister Fang possesses great abilities, which is truly admirable. This should not have been a deception, but my master instructed me thus, and I hope for your understanding."

The woman in the yellow shirt noticed his unusual expression and said, "Captain Wei need not be overly suspicious. The room is small, with winding corridors and numerous turns. With so many of you entering, first, there will be no room to move around, making it uncomfortable to be close to one another and difficult to rest. Second, if someone were to carelessly damage something, it would be unclear who would take responsibility." Wei Zhengren smiled slightly, indicating his agreement with her perspective.

However, Yongqing did not recognize Mogao Tian, while Taiqing did. Taiqing still remembered that about a dozen years ago, on a night close to the Mid-Autumn Festival, his esteemed teacher, Master Xuanji, returned from outside, accompanied by another person. The two were chatting and laughing together, displaying a very warm camaraderie, as if they were old friends who had not seen each other for many years. That night, they ordered a feast, and the two continued to drink until midnight, showing no signs of stopping.

Lin Lanping said: "To be honest, we were all together until last night... No, no, it wasn't just him and me, but everyone was together. However, when I woke up early this morning, I didn't see him. Before you arrived here, everyone was still looking for him!"

Relying on his memory, he soon found the path up the mountain. Looking up, he saw the clear sky stretching for miles, with brilliant starlight, yet he was unaware that his heart was racing, and unease began to settle in. Although it had only been seven or eight days since he left, recalling the events of that night still left Tang Guangting with lingering fear. Moreover, the experiences of these past seven or eight days had been fraught with life and death, and tonight, returning to the same place felt as if it were a lifetime ago.

Mogao spat at him and said, "Go to hell, you are just guessing as well."

However, since it is a fact that Mei Yingxue cannot be found at the moment, Tang Guangting pondered left and right. He had overcome numerous difficulties to travel a long distance for this appointment, and this trip must not be in vain. He recalled that it was by chance that he had come to this cave, which led to his fateful connection with Mei Yingxue. This inevitably gave rise to a fantasy in his heart, imagining that perhaps Mei Yingxue was now, just like back then, soaking in the hot springs above.

After a while, Feng Yunyue continued, "Alright, senior brother, don't be upset anymore. I know I was wrong." Wan Xiaodan gazed at him for a moment and said, "It's good that you can understand." After a while, she added, "If there's nothing else, I'm going back to that shed to sleep. In any case, remember this: before sunset tomorrow, follow my signal and do not act rashly. Especially tonight, you must not go anywhere; many people are not planning to sleep at all. In any case, remember this: before sunset tomorrow, follow my signal and do not act rashly. Especially tonight, you must not go anywhere; many people are not planning to sleep at all. You haven't shown your face during the day, which will raise suspicions."

The crowd was caught off guard; although they were all astonished, no one dared to inquire further. A disciple from the Qianyao Sect approached the group, bowed deeply, and said: "I apologize for the inconvenience, esteemed guests. Tonight, we will make do with resting in this grass shed. Additionally, someone will bring food over shortly, so please feel free to move around nearby and do not wander too far. If you miss the meal time, you will have to trouble yourselves to start a fire and cook. If you need any tea or water, just call for me, and I will come. My name is Chen Youxin; you can just call me Youxin." This person may not have excelled in medicine, but he was quite eloquent and had been responsible for receiving visitors for several years. Upon hearing that there would be food, the crowd's doubts began to dissipate, and soon they started chatting among themselves.

He was on par with his master back then, equally matched. Although he had not personally experienced Mo Gaotian's martial arts, he feared that Mo Gaotian's skills were likely as high as those of his own master. Seeing Yongqing take action, the Three Clear Sword Formation was activated, which was different from the earlier situation where Mo Gaotian had intervened on behalf of Yang Jingxiu; this was essentially a direct inquiry to Mo Gaotian for guidance.

As he descended the slope, his speed was quite rapid, yet he also stumbled a few times. The interior of the Qianyao Gate is vast, surrounded by numerous plantings, including flower beds, vegetable gardens, fruit trees, and melon fields, all interwoven and adjacent to one another. Tang Guangting passed through several orchards, noticing that no one was around, and did not forget to take advantage of the situation to fill his stomach.

Taiqing looked at the old man before him. Although many years had passed, he recognized him from a distance as the arrogant elder Mo Gaotian, who had fought to a standstill with his mentor in the past.

Taiqing still remembered that it was already quite late. As the chief disciple of the Wujimen, although he was extremely tired, he had no choice but to accompany and serve. Just as he was drowsily on the verge of falling asleep, his master suddenly shouted: "What are you saying? Have the efforts I put in over these years been in vain?" Taiqing was abruptly awakened by this shout, and all his drowsiness vanished. He heard the person’s voice was quite loud, and continued: "You have worked hard, but I have not been idle either. At that time, your martial arts were inferior to mine. We both practiced diligently, so of course, you could not surpass me. Does it mean that just because I am six or seven years older than you, those six or seven years were wasted?" Upon hearing this, the master laughed heartily and said: "Old brother! You are mistaken. Now that I have taken over the Wujimen, you know there is a technique in Wujimen called 'Tiangang Zhengyi Divine Sword', which is extraordinarily powerful, unparalleled in history, with no predecessors or successors. Only I, as the sect leader, can safeguard this sword technique and practice this ultimate skill. By then, not only will I catch up to you, but I will also claim the title of the number one in the world..." He extended his right hand with the palm facing down, fingers outstretched, making a grabbing motion: "It will be as easy as taking something from a bag, it is destined to be mine!" The other person also laughed heartily and said: "You can take your time to practice, practice for twenty or thirty years. First, you will have to surpass the Shaolin Temple's Master Miaoyin, at that time, your martial arts will be second in the world. Then practice for another ten years, and when I am dead, won't you be the number one in the world? Haha!"

Tang Guangting said: "It is evident that during the time when Senior Wan was not at Qianyaomen, Miss Mei may have been designated as the capable person to replace Senior Wan in practicing medicine externally. Otherwise, if there were any mishaps, wouldn't the century-old reputation of Qianyaomen be ruined?" Mo Gaotian replied: "You are correct; your reasoning is sound." Tang Guangting continued: "Senior Wan returned with us, so before his return, Miss Mei must have been in charge at Qianyaomen. Even that mysterious person understands this, which is why everyone initially insisted on having Miss Mei save them."

Feng Yunyue hurriedly said: "This grievance has its origin, and debts have their owner. I know very well who blinded my eyes; it has nothing to do with my senior brother. I only suspect... suspect whether this wretched girl will really appear? We have expended so much effort dealing with her, yet we do not know if she is worth it"

The entrance of the cave was a place that Tang Guangting had never been to before, but now, due to being awakened from sleep, he felt quite frustrated and ran with all his might. Although the path at the entrance of the cave was winding and twisting, it was relatively flat, making it not too strenuous to run.

Upon witnessing how effortlessly the Iron Horse Gang resolved the dilemma, everyone felt a surge of encouragement, each eager to try their hand. Moreover, this esteemed "Master Fang" before them possessed exceptional insight, and her medical skills were likely already steeped in the profound teachings of the renowned Wan Huachun. In an instant, everyone rushed forward to the medicine stall, clamoring to share their experiences with Master Fang, their gestures and expressions failing to adequately convey their plight, their words overflowing yet still unable to capture the entirety of their situations. The woman in the yellow dress found herself overwhelmed, unsure of whom to listen to.

Tang Guangting turned around in panic and saw that the person who had captured him was wearing a black cloth over his head, with two holes cut out for the eyes, leaving only one eye visible. Tang Guangting suddenly thought of someone, and he was filled with terror, struggling to shout, "Let me go, let me go!" His mouth was open, but the person covered it with a hand, preventing any sound from escaping. The masked man let out a few cold laughs and said, "Hello, we finally meet!" Tang Guangting turned around in panic and saw that the person who had captured him was wearing a black cloth over his head, with two holes cut out for the eyes, leaving only one eye visible. Tang Guangting suddenly thought of someone, and he was filled with terror, struggling to shout, "Let me go, let me go!" His mouth was open, but the person covered it with a hand, preventing any sound from escaping. The masked man let out a few cold laughs and said, "Hello, we finally meet!"

Mo Gaotian was about to strike, but the other person took the opportunity to sheath his sword and bow, saying: "I am a disciple of the Xuanji Zhenren of the Wujimen, with the Dao name Taiqing. I have come to pay my respects to you, Elder Mo Gaotian." Seeing that he was courteous, Mo Gaotian had no choice but to stop. He asked, "How is your master?" Taiqing replied, "Thanks to your great blessings, my master is in good health."

However, as a result, Mo Gaotian has lost the initiative. The first person to lose their sword has not only taken the opportunity to retrieve their long sword, but also, with a flick of the sword light, immediately filled the gap left by the person whose wrist was struck by Mo Gaotian. Mo Gaotian was both surprised and delighted, thinking that these few individuals possessed exceptional swordsmanship, yet he was unaware of their strength. He then exerted force in his arms and aimed a strike at the two of them.