Chapter 1, Lord Yunqing.

Yang Fei felt a flush on his face. Although it was not very clear under the moonlight, he could not help but lower his head and mumble, "Yes, I apologize. If Miss thinks that I have offended her, I am willing to accept punishment." He usually had little interaction with young women, and in front of the one he loved, his normally agile tongue seemed to falter.

Mei Yunqing found it somewhat amusing that Bai Xiangtian, a well-known figure in the martial arts world and the esteemed leader of a sect, could be so timid and fearful. She casually added, "This master of the manor can testify to that."

Mei Yunqing also felt quite shy; it was rather inappropriate to be so close to a man. She gently pulled back, tugged at Yang Fei's waistband, and used her lightness skill to effortlessly leap over the towering wall, landing gracefully in the center of the street

Yang Fei felt as if he had fallen from heaven straight into hell, realizing that Mei Yunqing was currently resentful towards him and had resolved not to extend a helping hand again. The dark ground loomed ever closer, and he lamented that his life was about to end. Just then, he felt his belt tighten, and Mei Yunqing stood coldly beside him, her demeanor exuding a chilling indifference that sent a shiver through his heart

Yang Fei shook his head and said, "You don't know, how could I be clear about it? It would be better to wait for Senior Brother He to come out and ask him!" Senior Brother He is the person who just came out to look for Fu Wuji.

Chang'an was once the ancient capital of several dynasties, a military stronghold, with its city walls built tall and thick. Mei Yun gazed at the ten-zhang high walls, feeling troubled. Climbing up alone would be easy for her, but with a large man added to the equation, it was beyond her capability. She couldn't even attempt it, lest this fellow take advantage of her. Unconsciously, she asked Yang Fei, "How is your lightness skill?" Deep down, she knew it was a futile question, seeing that Yang Fei had not even begun to learn martial arts, let alone discuss lightness skills.

Bai Xiangtian was moved and said: "Meihua Mountain Villa has a far-reaching reputation; who would dare to commit murder near your villa? Is the deceased one of your villa's people?"

Yang Fei saw that the delicate little hand, which was as smooth as jade, was now covered in bloodstains. It truly pained him more than if he had cut his own hands. After bandaging it, he couldn't help but express his concern: "I hope it won't leave a scar. If that were the case, it would be a terrible waste."

Yang Fei exclaimed in surprise, "Now?"

Yang Fei nodded eagerly and said, "Of course not. Where is the young lady going? I will accompany you right away."

Someone has arrived. Mei Yunqing's mind raced like lightning; as a martial artist, her senses were exceptionally sharp. Although she was here chatting with Yang Fei, she was acutely aware of every movement within a radius of ten zhang. Her mission was covert, and she could not reveal herself. At the slightest sign of disturbance, she would use her lightness skill to leap into the air, and in the blink of an eye, she was already a hundred zhang away, naturally missing the last two sentences Yang Fei uttered.

Yang Fei felt deeply apologetic. Upon seeing someone being rescued, he naturally held on tightly. When he saw Mei Yunqing tending to her wounds, he felt even more guilty. He quietly approached and said softly, "Miss Mei, I am here to help you." As he spoke, he intended to assist her. Mei Yunqing's hands were covered in scratches, causing her great pain and making it very inconvenient, so she allowed him to assist her.

The person asking the question was none other than his cousin, Fu Jun. In a daze, he heard a voice and came out to take a look, only to find Yang Fei sighing and lamenting. He thought to himself, perhaps this fellow has seen a beauty and has fallen victim to lovesickness

This situation appeared somewhat comical; Bai Xiangtian, with his imposing appearance, was excitedly accompanying the young woman, followed closely by a large group of not-so-young bodyguards. Whenever the woman inquired, Bai Xiangtian would hurriedly respond with respectful answers.

Bai Xiangtian said: "Not at all, Young Master Nangong. If there is nothing else, my old self and my junior apprentice shall take our leave first"

Pulling so hard was quite laborious. Although Mei Yunqing possessed exceptional martial arts skills and pure internal energy, she was still just a woman. Dragging a man up like this left her drenched in sweat. When she finally saw Yang Fei's old face, she couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. Suddenly, she heard Yang Fei's exclamation as the rope slipped from her hand, and the other person fell in response. In her moment of panic, she disregarded the gender difference, moved her body, and leaped over the wall to catch Yang Fei. With a light tap of her jade foot against the wall, she had already returned to the top of the wall.

"Who wants to kill you?" Mei Yunqing did not think that Yang Fei was truly unafraid of death. She believed he had seen through her intentions. She sheathed her sword and said, "I was merely testing whether you are truly willing to entrust your life to me. Since it is genuine, I will let it go this time, but remember, your life is now mine. Do not give it to anyone else." As she spoke, she couldn't help but smile.

The owner of Mei Manor noticed the fear on Bai Xiangtian's face and quickly reassured him, "Chief Bai, there is no need to worry. Sun Mosi died near our manor, and we had no choice but to investigate the cause of death; there is no other intention."

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Bai Xiangtian's expression changed dramatically. The Meihua Mountain Villa had risen in the martial world for only over fifty years, yet its formidable reputation was already able to stand shoulder to shoulder with the seven major righteous sects. If he were to get involved in this murder case, not only would the Zhenwei Escort Agency, which had been painstakingly managed for decades, be at risk, but even the Sanjue Sect, passed down from his father, would face imminent disaster

After taking a long detour, they arrived at the back of the hall, where there was a row of windows. Fu Yang and the other person jumped in through the window, entering a side room adjacent to the hall. Through the window panes, they could clearly see the situation inside the hall.

Manager Sun quickly replied: "Rest assured, Master of the Manor."

How infuriating that charming face vanished in an instant, leaving only the melodious and pleasant voice of Mei Yun in my ears: "Fu Biao Tou, I have nothing more to do here, so I shall take my leave." Yang Fei couldn't help but fix his gaze on her gradually receding figure, and he didn't catch what Fu Wuji said in response.

This time, Mei Yunqing's figure came in a flurry, saying that he could no longer fall asleep. He looked at the moonlight streaming in through the window, felt a stir in his heart, got up, dressed quietly, and walked out.

Yang Fei held even greater admiration for Mei Yunqing and followed her along the way

Fu Jun winked and, feigning mystery, said: "We will go secretly and return secretly. Heaven knows, earth knows, you know, and I know. If you don't say it, and I don't say it, how would she know?" Saying this, he pretended to be wise and patted Yang Fei on the shoulder, saying: "Tomorrow is the Mid-Autumn Festival. No need to practice martial arts; rest well. It's settled, we will go tomorrow. Come on, let's go to sleep."

A series of sounds resembling punches breaking through the air and the shouts of martial arts practice emanated from within the Zhenwei Escort Agency, located to the north of Chang'an City. The training ground of the escort agency was separated from the street by only a wall, allowing passersby on the street to hear the sounds inside quite clearly

Mei Yunqing coldly said: "Let's go." After speaking, she led Yang Fei directly towards the dilapidated temple

The owner of Mei Manor shook his head and said: "Our manor has investigated the background of the deceased. Surely, Chief Bai has heard of Sun Moshih from 'Thousand Miles of Traces.' This person is not highly skilled in martial arts, but is well-versed in the art of stealth and concealment, and is knowledgeable about various secrets of the martial world. It is likely that he was killed due to leaking confidential information."

Yang Fei just heard her voice, which was as melodious as a yellow oriole's song, and his mind began to wander. At one moment, he imagined how dignified and beautiful her appearance might be, and at another, he thought about how disappointing it would be if she were hideously ugly. However, at that moment, a fleeting glance left an indelible impression on him. He felt an overwhelming sense of shame, realizing that his previous thoughts were a form of disrespect towards her. That kind of beauty could not be described even by all the languages and words in the world, only a fraction of it could be captured. His heart raced suddenly, wishing he could leap forward immediately to see her more clearly.

Mei Yunqing observed him, yet her feelings for him significantly diminished. She changed the subject and said: "Although Ding Xiaoqian was not killed by the Three Absolute Sect, I wonder if Chief Bai has ever seen him before?"

Yang Fei had just walked through the gates of hell, his heart still racing. He felt Mei Yunqing's delicate and exquisite body pressed tightly against him, a sensation that had already sent his soul soaring to the clouds.

Mei Yunqing saw flickering lights in the dilapidated temple, and it was then that Nangong Bo and the coroner stepped out. The coroner held a gas lamp in his hand. They were about a hundred paces away from Bai Xiangtian and Fu Wuji. To prevent being detected, Mei Yunqing dispersed all his aura, making even his heartbeat faint and barely perceptible. It was only after Nangong Bo had moved far away that he returned to the city

Yang Fei followed Mei Yunqing with utmost respect, remaining silent. It was now the second watch of the night, and the empty streets were occasionally illuminated by lights, some of which came from the brothels. Suddenly, Yang Fei recalled what Fang Jun had said earlier, glanced at Mei Yunqing, and thought about the activities that took place inside, causing his heart to involuntarily race.

Mei Yunqing said: "Of course it is now, otherwise why would I come here so late? How could you say such nice things just a moment ago and now go back on your word?"

Bai Xiangtian, with a face full of confusion, said: "What does this matter have to do with our bureau?"

Fu Jun grew up alongside Yang Fei, and just like the roundworm in his belly, he could tell when Yang was distracted while speaking, making it obvious that he was lying. With a chuckle, he said: "Do not try to deceive me; last year you were not this lost and forlorn. You must be thinking about that Master Mei again. A toad wishing to eat swan meat is one thing, but whether it can actually obtain it is another. However, that Master Mei is truly charming, far surpassing Yu Shuang; even I find myself wanting a taste."

Yang Fei was taken aback and asked in return, "Are you planning to leave the city, miss?"

Upon hearing this, Mei Yunqing could not help but show a hint of joy and said, "Where is Ding Xiaoqian now?"

Uncertain how much time had passed, the moon quietly hid behind the dark clouds. Yang Fei only heard, "Why are you still here?" Suddenly, Mei Yunqing appeared again atop the willow tree, standing on a slender willow branch as thick as a pinky finger. The gentle breeze stirred, causing the willow branch to sway, and her figure danced along with it, resembling an ethereal fairy gracefully performing a dance

As Yang Fei beheld her enchanting smile, even the willow trees beneath his feet seemed to become vibrant and beautiful. He thought to himself, "If I were to be punished to follow you for a lifetime, it would be nothing short of wonderful." Naturally, he dared not voice such bold words to the fair maiden. Taking a deep breath, he could not help but think, "Even if the young lady were to slay me with a single stroke, I would have no words of complaint."

Mei Yuqing took a while to regain her senses, only to realize that she was nestled in Yang Fei's embrace. Her heart raced in alarm, and she pushed him away with a forceful palm strike. However, this strike was imbued with genuine strength, causing Yang Fei to soar into the air. The city wall was no more than one and a half zhang wide, and Yang Fei had already flown outside the city, plummeting straight down.

How could Yang Fei say that Mei Yunqing had come? He could only sigh and say, "Tomorrow is the Mid-Autumn Festival, and I miss my mother a bit."

The young man sitting beside him, known as Feiyang, is actually named Yang Fei. His senior brothers often prefer to call him by his name in reverse, and having become accustomed to it, they can no longer change it. Yang Fei is a distant nephew of Fu Wuji. Eight years ago, after losing both his parents, he came to seek refuge with his uncle, with whom he shares a distant familial connection, and has since remained at the Zhenwei Escort Agency.

Mei Yunqing had not yet entered the temple when Nangong Bo turned around and greeted her with a bow, saying, "The news of Mei Zhuangzhu is indeed quite well-informed, arriving so quickly." He had bright eyes and starry brows, with a square face, making him a rare and handsome man. Coming from a good family and possessing high martial arts skills, he was naturally surrounded by beautiful women. Having caught only a fleeting glimpse of Mei Yunqing during the day, he had not seen her clearly, but now, upon seeing her, he found it difficult to tear his gaze away.

Only after exchanging a few pleasantries did Bai Xiangtian get straight to the point: "Master Mei has traveled a long way to visit our humble establishment, bringing glory to our humble bureau. May I ask what matter requires our service?" His inquiry stemmed from the fact that this woman held a noble status and possessed exceptional martial skills, making it difficult to conceive of any matter that would necessitate the assistance of Zhenwei Escort Bureau.

Mei Yunqing stood up and cupped his hands, saying: "Chief Bai, please go ahead. Young Master Nangong is indeed a rare and distinguished guest." Bai Xiangtian quickly walked out, seemingly afraid that he would offend Nangong Jun by being a moment late. The others followed suit, and in a short while, only Fu Wuji and Mei Yunqing remained in the hall.

Everyone was taken aback by her sudden departure. Nangong Bo was stunned for a moment before he regained his composure and said, "Chief Bai, I apologize for the disturbance all this time"

Mei Yunqing has donned a plain outfit, which accentuates her exceptionally graceful figure even more. She stands atop an ancient willow tree, the night breeze blowing through, her garments fluttering like a celestial maiden descending from the heavens.

"Who are you talking to?" The voice was crisp and melodious, strikingly familiar. Yang Fei suddenly felt as if he had heard it somewhere before. He abruptly turned around and followed the sound, only to find that the speaker was none other than Mei Yunqing, the one he had been longing for. Yang Fei recalled that his earlier confession had been overheard, and his face instantly flushed with embarrassment. Overwhelmed with joy, he exclaimed, "Master Mei."

Mei Yunqing whispered to Mei Lan: "You wait outside for a moment, I will go in and take a look."

He was a middle-aged man in his forties. At that moment, someone came running from a distance, saluting respectfully and saying: "Master Fu, the chief escort requests your presence in the hall"

Bai Xiangtian was taken aback once again. It was rare for the Zhenwei Escort Agency to have any commotion, yet today it had received two distinguished guests. This could only mean that troublesome times were approaching. The Nangong family held immense power in Jiangnan, with their enterprises spread across the nation, their wealth rivaling that of a country. Even officials from the court treated them with a degree of respect. Nangong Bo, as the future head of the Nangong family, held an extraordinarily noble status. If it were not for urgent matters, there would be no need for him to travel a great distance to pay a visit to a mere head of an escort agency.

Yang Fei said: "Thank you, Master Mei"

Bai Xiangtian came to his senses and said to the disciple, "Please hurry." However, feeling it was inappropriate, he changed his words and said, "I will personally go to welcome him instead." He stood up and cupped his fists towards Mei Yunqing, saying, "Please wait a moment, Master Mei. I will first go to greet an esteemed guest."

After wiping the cold sweat from his forehead, he realized it was just a dream. Bai Yushuang was Fu Jun's fiancée. Although he often joked about Bai Yushuang with Fu Jun, he could not truly harbor any improper thoughts about her. Looking at Fu Jun, who was sleeping soundly and sweetly on another bed in the same room, he sighed in relief and lay back down.

Bai Xiangtian smiled and said: "The corpse on the ground is Ding Xiaoqian. Young Master Nangong has invited a coroner from the yamen to assist in the autopsy."

Mei Yunqing nodded and said, "Is there any way to bypass the city wall?"

Most of those practicing martial arts are young individuals around twenty years old. The Zhenwei Escort Agency is somewhat different from other escort agencies; the chief escort, Bai Xiangtian, is also the leader of a small sect in the martial world known as the Three Absolute Sect. These young individuals are not only escorts and porters for the Zhenwei Escort Agency but also disciples of the Three Absolute Sect

Yang Fei's demeanor was one of utmost respect, a sight she had long grown accustomed to. It was merely a reflection of their admiration for her beauty and power. She had received countless declarations of love from wealthy young men, yet none had ever captured her heart. Moreover, the regulations of Meihua Mountain Villa stipulated that the villa's master could not marry but could only accept a son-in-law, and how many men in the world would be willing to marry into a woman's family

Manager Sun hurriedly said: "Miss Lan has been waiting for you for over an hour."

"Master of Thieves" Ding Xiaoqian is a disciple of the renowned thief family from Xuzhou, the Ding family. Although his martial arts skills are not particularly high, his lightness skill is unparalleled in the world. His thieving techniques are also unmatched, and it is said that he can easily obtain even the undergarments of the emperor's favored concubine. He has visited countless treasure troves of martial arts families, yet none have been able to capture him, making him a particularly troublesome figure. Mei Yunqing discovered that he had recently appeared near Meihua Mountain Villa alongside the murdered "Thousand-Mile Tracker" Sun Mosheng. After Sun Mosheng was killed, Mei Yunqing sent Mei Lan to investigate his whereabouts.

The owner of Mei Manor said: "Sun Moshih died from seven swords piercing his heart. I have heard that one of the three ultimate skills of your esteemed sect, the Soul Pursuing Sword Technique, includes a move called Seven Swords Pursuing the Soul, which results in a death similar to his. Therefore, I have come to seek guidance from the Chief Escort."

Nangong Bo made a gesture and said: "Please!"

Mei Yunqing smiled and said, "It's no trouble at all"

Mei Yunqing finally understood why Yang Fei's piercing gaze felt so familiar: "So it turns out it is your thieving eyes."

This statement, though delivered with fervor and passion, also carries a tender sentiment. Mei Yunqing, upon hearing it, felt her cheeks flush slightly and softly replied, "Then come with me."

Fu Wujun patted his chest and assured, "I will take care of everything." Without waiting for Yang Fei's response, he quietly pulled him away while the other senior brothers were not paying attention.

"Yes, indeed." Yang Fei replied repeatedly, lowering his head and saying, "What instructions do you have, Miss? I will certainly go through fire and water for you, without hesitation." Seeing that Mei Yunqing had not answered for a long time, he finally stammered out the question he had wanted to ask for a long time: "May I ask for your esteemed name, Miss?"

This escort leader, Wu Ji, is the junior disciple of the chief escort Bai Xiangtian and the deputy chief of the Zhenwei Escort Agency. He nodded slightly, waved his hand to signal everyone to pause, and said in a clear voice: "I have something to attend to for a moment; you may practice on your own, but do not be lazy!" After speaking, he proceeded with his companion towards the escort agency's main hall

As the first watch of the night approached, the sky suddenly became overcast with dark clouds, obscuring the bright moon. The surroundings grew dim, and the plain white garment worn by Mei Yunqing was no longer so conspicuous. This was her first time being so stealthy tonight, and she naturally felt both exhilarated and stimulated.

Yang Fei thought he was dreaming; he pinched his thigh hard with his right hand, and the pain almost made him cry out, realizing that it was not a dream

Bai Xiangtian sat in the main seat, while the young woman sat in the subordinate position, directly opposite Fu Yang and Yang Fei. Although Yang Fei could not see her face, just by observing her back in a jade green and yellow long gown, he was convinced in his heart that she was an extraordinarily graceful beauty.

However, the owner of Mei Zhuang did not respond. Instead, she picked up the Longjing tea brewed in the exquisite teaware from Jingdezhen, Jiangxi, and savored a sip. After a while, she finally set it down, and with an unintentional wave of her right hand, Yang and the other two felt a sudden numbness in their chests, rendering them completely unable to move. Even when they wanted to call for help, they found themselves unable to make a sound. It took them quite some time to realize that she had inadvertently sealed their acupoints.

Returning to the city, Mei Yunqing did not return to the inn; instead, she went to the Zhenwei Escort Agency. She thought to herself that Bai Xiangtian would surely discuss matters separately after returning to the agency, so she decided to investigate for herself whether the Zhenwei Escort Agency was related to these two murder cases.

Fu Wujie maintained a stern expression and shouted loudly: "You two are truly impressive, lying here eavesdropping on the conversation. Jun'er, as a cousin, how are you teaching your younger cousin? There has been no progress at all."

Everyone felt that just now, Mei Yunqing's gaze seemed to penetrate their innermost thoughts, as if everything they were thinking was laid bare before her. Facing her flower-like delicate features, they felt a chill in their hearts. Upon hearing these words, they all breathed a sigh of relief. Bai Xiangtian said, "The Master of Mei Manor has a profound understanding of the heavenly principles; thus, our sect's grievances can be cleared without investigation." His flattery, however, seemed a bit excessive, truly unbefitting of a sect leader, and upon hearing this, everyone exchanged glances.

Mei Yunqing let out a light laugh. She had originally come to the Zhenwei Escort Agency at night to investigate the murder case from the day, hoping to find some clues. Unexpectedly, she encountered Yang Fei, who was gazing at the moon and sighing deeply. Although she was the mistress of a manor, she was only twenty-two years old. Seeing Yang Fei talking to himself, she momentarily indulged her youthful spirit and forgot that it was inappropriate for her to show herself. She paused to chat for a few moments and found Yang Fei quite interesting. Without realizing it, she followed his tone and asked, "How would you like this young lady to punish you?"

Mei Yunqing shot him a glance and said, "Why would I look for you now when I'm leaving the city tomorrow morning?" After staring at the city wall for a long time, she truly could not think of any clever plan to get Yang Fei out of the city. Just as she was about to give up, she heard Yang Fei say, "Miss, look here, someone has left a rope that just reaches the top of the wall." In fact, this rope was left by him and Fu Jun when they previously climbed the wall, kept for emergencies.

The dilapidated temple outside the city is quite remote. Fortunately, Mei Lan has a good memory and effortlessly brought Mei Yunqing to this place even in the dead of night. This temple is indeed very run-down; not only are the walls filled with crumbling bricks and broken tiles, but there is also no door, resembling a large hole. What is even more peculiar is that in the dead of night, in this place where no one should be, there is actually light shining through, and there are several people inside, presumably also looking for Ding Xiaoquan. This temple is indeed very run-down; not only are the walls filled with crumbling bricks and broken tiles, but there is also no door, resembling a large hole. What is even more peculiar is that in the dead of night, in this place where no one should be, there is actually light shining through, and there are several people inside, presumably also looking for Ding Xiaoquan.

Yang Fei hurriedly said: "There is no such thing, do not make wild guesses"

Sighing deeply, filled with disappointment and helplessness, Mei Yunqing was just about to leave when she heard this sigh, which caused her to stop and look towards that person

Yang Fei scratched his head and said, "Why not wait until the city gates open tomorrow morning before leaving the city"

Fu Wujie’s expression softened considerably as he said to Yang Fei: "Xiao Fei, you must not learn these unorthodox methods from Jun'er in the future, do you understand?"

Fu Jun Dao: "Alright, alright, stop stubbornly denying it. You've been a bit dazed from day to night. Liking someone is just liking them; what's the big deal? However, that Master Mei is in a different realm from you. In this lifetime, you might as well give up on that thought. As the ancient saying goes: 'Where in the world is there not fragrant grass? Why must one fight for a single plum blossom?' There are plenty of women in the world. Another day, I will find a woman for you to experience something new."

The situation, however, left her greatly disappointed; the Zhenwei Escort Agency was already lifeless, devoid of any light. Bai Xiangtian and Fu Wuji were naturally not discussing matters in the dead of night, clearly having fallen asleep long ago

The bluestone path leading directly from the entrance of the escort agency to the living room is separated from the training ground by only a few rows of white poplar trees. With a slight effort of the eyes, one can see the chief escort Bai Xiangtian and a large group of escorts striding towards the entrance. After a moment, they surrounded a person returning to the hall, and from a distance, it was faintly visible that this was a very young woman

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Bai Xiangtian hurriedly said: "I have never seen it before"

At this moment, the coroner stood up and respectfully addressed Nangong Bo: "This person was likely killed approximately three hours ago. There are seven sword wounds at the heart and chest, penetrating the heart meridian. Aside from this, there are no other injuries on the body, nor are there any signs of poisoning. It is evident that this person met their demise by the sword."

Yang Fei was merely a few zhang away from her, inhaling her maidenly fragrance, gazing at her flower-like beauty, and listening to her heavenly voice, feeling his bones already half melted, and even his speech became much more agile: "Not to mention one matter, even if it were a hundred matters, or a thousand matters, I would ensure that everything is handled perfectly for the young lady."

The bright moon hangs in the sky, and the gentle breeze flows.

Bai Xiangtian's expression remained extremely grim. If a member of a sect were to be killed at their own doorstep, it would undoubtedly be a significant affront to that sect. It was certainly not as simple as she claimed, merely a casual inquiry; otherwise, the renowned master of Meihua Villa, Mei Yunqing, would not have personally come. Bai Xiangtian's mind raced, and he hurriedly explained: "In fact, our sect's Soul-Chasing Sword Technique is not some unparalleled skill; it is likely of little value in the eyes of Master Mei. Only my old junior apprentice, Fu Wuji, is proficient in this technique. Even I only have a superficial understanding of it. Moreover, my junior apprentice has been in Chang'an for nearly a month, always by my side and never leaving. I stake my life on it; Sun Mosi could not have been killed by him."

Yang Fei said with some doubt: "Have you really tried it?" He had always been with Fu Jun, and apart from Bai Yushuang, he had not seen Fu Jun interact with any other women. Moreover, Bai Yushuang was naturally reserved; before marriage, she would allow Fu Jun to take advantage of her only to a limited extent.

Yang Fei hesitated slightly and said, "If I get caught, I will surely face another beating." Following this cousin, he had already endured quite a bit of hardship

Yang Fei could not have imagined that Mei Yunqing would kill without hesitation. He had always been timid, and although he was terrified, he could not show it in front of the one he loved. Resolutely, he straightened his chest and put on a brave front, passionately declaring: "Miss Mei, you must remember my name, I am Yang Fei. Go ahead and act."

Fu Jun smiled somewhat shyly and said: "I may not have eaten pork, but I have seen pigs walk. In Chang'an, there are plenty of brothels; with just a few taels of silver, one can indulge in the experience once."

Yang Fei's soul returned to its place, and he quickly replied: "It was during the day that I was standing outside the window, secretly watching the young lady." After saying this, his face turned even redder, as peeping at others is, after all, an undignified act

The young man who asked the question is Yang Fei's cousin, specifically Fu Wujie's only son, Fu Jun. The two are of similar age and share a familial bond, making their relationship more intimate than that of ordinary senior and junior disciples. Fu Jun, with a glint in his eye, leaned close to Yang Fei's ear and whispered, "Why not go take a secret look?" Having always relied on his father's affection since childhood, he has been bold and reckless, wanting to involve Yang Fei in everything.

After a long while, some people entered the hall and said a few words, but Yang Fei paid no attention to them. During this time, his mind was a blank; all that filled it was the beautiful face and graceful figure of Mei Yunqing. It was not until Fu Wuji's loud shout, "You two brats, get out here!" that he was jolted back to reality.

Nangong Jun glanced at Ding Xiaoqian's chest and simply said: "Seven Swords Pursuing the Soul"

Bai Xiangtian's body trembled, nearly losing his footing. Fortunately, Fu Wuji supported him. Bai Xiangtian hurriedly explained: "This person was definitely not killed by our sect; he died three hours ago. At that time, both I and my junior brother were in the escort agency, and Master Mei was still at our agency, who can testify for us"

As they witnessed Fu Wuji disappear at the door, the group of young men, already exhausted and drenched in sweat, could hardly follow the instructions. They immediately began to chatter, each seeking a clean spot to sit down and engage in casual conversation.

Although the light was dim, Yang and Tushifei could see quite clearly. They observed that Mei Yunqing had already reached about thirty feet high, using her feet to push off the wall, and then climbed another thirty feet. Perhaps due to insufficient strength, she paused three times before finally reaching the top of the wall after climbing an additional forty to fifty feet.

Yang Fei followed Mei Yunqing to the wall, gazing at the tightly shut iron gate, and said, "I will go get the key to open the door." After saying this, he turned to leave. The courtyard wall was about ten feet high, and since childhood, he and Fu Jun had put considerable thought into climbing over the wall to play. Now, of course, he would not regard it as a challenge; however, it would be quite inappropriate for a delicate and beautiful lady to climb over the wall.

Mei Yunqing could not help but scrutinize Nangong Bo. Both are outstanding figures among the new generation of martial artists, and together they are known in the martial world as "Southern Dragon and Northern Phoenix." Upon meeting today, it was natural for them to assess each other. It was not until Bai Xiangtian let out a hearty laugh and said, "Master Mei has also arrived," that they came to their senses.

Nangong Bo smiled slightly and said, "I did not claim that it was the work of the Three Absolute Gates; I merely made a conjecture based on the facts. In truth, this Seven Swords Pursuing the Soul is not difficult to learn, and I have some knowledge of it myself." After speaking, he did not draw his sword, but a sound of the sword ringing was heard, and in a flash of sword light, Nangong Bo had already sheathed his sword. In front of him, a wooden beam revealed seven small holes, the openings extremely small and deep, seemingly penetrating through. The seven small holes were closely connected; if not for a careful inspection, it would be nearly impossible to discern that they were caused by seven swords, identical to the wound on Ding Xiaoqian's chest. The level of skill and purity displayed made Fu Wuji reflect that even after practicing for another ten years, he would still fall short.

He lay on the bed, and before his eyes was the delicate and charming figure of Mei Yunqing. For a moment, he tossed and turned, finding it difficult to fall asleep, so he had no choice but to go out for a stroll. Unknowingly, the fleeting glimpse of Mei Yunqing had become an indelible presence in his mind. In the vast sea of people, in this great world, where could he search for her? However, he had heard that Meihua Mountain Villa was only about 100 miles from Chang'an, and he could find a time to go seek her.

In a hurry, Mei Yunqing grasped his left hand and whispered, "Don't go." If he were to leave, wouldn't it alarm the people in the escort agency

The young lady Lan mentioned by Manager Sun is one of her personal maids, Mei Lan. Mei Yunqing had sent her out in the morning to gather intelligence, and since she has returned, she must have very important news to report to her. Mei Yunqing said: "I will go see her right away"

Yang Fei was so entranced that he feared his heart had long since left his body, completely forgetting to respond

Yang Fei noticed Mei Yunqing quietly leaving, feeling a sense of disappointment in his heart, when he suddenly heard someone behind him ask: "Who were you just talking to?"

Mei Yunqing gazed slowly at the people present in the Zhenwei Escort Agency, and then smiled charmingly as she said: "Chief Bai, you are overthinking; Sun Moshi was definitely not killed by anyone from the Three Absolute Sect"

Yang Fei immediately became excited and obediently followed Fu Jun back to the room to sleep

Yang Fei, thinking of this, could not help but smile bitterly. He was merely an unknown figure in the world, and even at the Zhenwei Escort Agency, he ranked among the lowest. How could a dignified master of a manor remember him? If he were to seek her out, he would most likely be met with a closed door. This wish was no different from a dream of a madman. The more he thought about it, the more sorrowful he became, and he could not help but shout, looking up to the heavens: "Miss Mei, Miss Mei, although you do not recognize me, do you know how much I miss you? Just to see you once, I would willingly die for it."

Yang Fei, with the heart of a youth, was quite enamored by such matters. Listening to it, he couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement, yet he was somewhat shy and retorted, "Aren't you afraid that Sister Yushuang will find out?"

Mei Yunqing praised: "The young master of the Nangong family is known as the 'Perfect Young Master', and his reputation is indeed well-deserved"

After three generations of diligent management by the Sanjue Gate, the Zhenwei Escort Agency has become one of the leading escort agencies in Chang'an. The interior of the hall is adorned with exquisite furnishings; not only are the tables and chairs made of fine sandalwood, but the walls of the hall are also embellished with so-called masterpieces of calligraphy and painting from renowned artists.

Mei Yunqing's enchanting voice reached his ears: "Caught it." Under the faint moonlight, Yang Fei grasped the rope, stepped forward to hold it tightly, and a pull came, drawing Yang Fei upward step by step

In fact, Mei Yunqing had not gone far, but was hiding in a grove near the dilapidated temple. Upon seeing Bai Xiangtian and Fu Wuji emerge, she said to Mei Lan beside her, "You return to the inn first; I still have matters to attend to." Mei Lan responded softly and left quietly.

There were a total of five people in the temple. Among them, three were recognized by Mei Yunqing. Two of them were the head of the Zhenwei Escort Agency, Bai Xiangtian, and his junior brother, Fu Wuji. The other was a young gentleman dressed in a brocade robe, with an ancient-looking long sword hanging at his waist, who was none other than Nangong Bo, whom she had caught a glimpse of earlier that day. The fifth person, however, was unfamiliar to her; he was dressed as a coroner and was crouched on the ground, carefully examining the last individual: the deceased "Master of Empty Hands," Ding Xiaoqian.

This time, he fell asleep immediately. Yang Fei had a beautiful dream, in which he imagined himself achieving great success and becoming the world's number one expert. He even married the stunning Mei Yunqing in a grand ceremony. During the wedding night, slightly intoxicated, he lifted the bride's red veil, only to discover that it was actually Bai Yushuang. He was startled and immediately woke up.

Yang Fei stood under the moonlight, gazing at the round moon on the horizon, and couldn't help but sigh. The Mid-Autumn Festival was approaching, and while others were reuniting with their families, he remained a solitary individual.

Mei Yunqing hurriedly concealed her embarrassment and said: "I have heard that 'Master of the Empty Hands' Ding Xiaoqian met his demise here; I wonder if it is true or not"

Meilan said with some concern: "Miss, you are alone..."

***

Mei Yunqing, lost in thought, unknowingly walked to an inn named "Ru Gui". This was her temporary residence and also a property under the Plum Blossom Mountain Villa. As she reached the entrance, the innkeeper, looking anxious, hurriedly approached her. Upon seeing Mei Yunqing, he finally revealed a smile and said, "Master, you have finally returned." At that moment, there was no one else in the inn, so he did not hold back.

Meilan's expression changed as she said: "He is already dead, and the corpse is located not far from a dilapidated temple in the southwest of Chang'an."

Nangong Bo prides himself on being proficient in the four arts of music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, and even claims to be well-versed in all martial arts of the world. Upon hearing the beautiful lady's praise, he naturally feels quite pleased and humbly replies, "Miss Mei has overpraised me." Although he utters these words, a look of satisfaction inadvertently appears on his face.

Mei Yunqing smiled faintly at Fu Wuji, then turned to feign admiration for the calligraphy and paintings on the wall. As her hand lightly brushed over the jade and books, Yang Fei and Fu Jun felt a chill run through their bodies, realizing that their acupoints had been unblocked, yet their vital energy had not yet circulated, leaving them momentarily unable to move. At that moment, Yang Fei happened to catch a glimpse of her appearance, and he couldn't help but stand there in a daze.

Yang Fei nodded in agreement, having lost his father at a young age, and Fu Wuji was like a strict father to him

At this moment, the owner of Mei Manor spoke up: "Chief Bai, you are too polite. Recently, a murder occurred near our manor. The victim was fatally wounded by a sharp sword, with seven strikes delivering lethal blows, each aimed precisely at the vital points of the body"

Yang Fei could only feel Mei Yunqing's delicate, almost boneless jade-like hand clasped in his palm, exquisite and smooth, an indescribable pleasure, and for a moment, he forgot to speak

Yang Fei and Fu Jun finally stumbled to their feet, feeling their legs sore and numb. Looking at the sun, they realized that they had unknowingly leaned against the window frame for over an hour, and at this moment, only Fu Wuji remained in the hall.

Gazing at the ancient willow tree where Mei Yunqing once stood gracefully, it seemed as if she were still there, and Yang Fei found himself lost in thought.

Women are naturally fond of beauty, especially someone as stunning as Mei Yunqing. This made her most pressing concern, which Yang Fei had voiced, come to the forefront, prompting her to huff and exclaim loudly: "It's all your fault; if it weren't for you..." As she continued speaking, she unexpectedly began to cry.

After a long while, Mei Yunqing still did not respond. When he looked up, there was no trace of anyone; everything just now seemed like a fleeting spring dream. Yang Fei then glanced at the small hole in his chest where Mei Yunqing's sword had pierced, finally confirming that it was not just a dream.

At this moment, a disciple hurried into the hall holding a large red placard. After greeting Bai Xiangtian and the others, he presented the placard and said: "Young Master Nangong Bo of the Nangong family pays his respects to the Chief Escort."

After a quarter of an hour, the two arrived at the city wall. Not far to the right was the West City Gate, which was, of course, tightly closed at this moment. Only a few drowsy soldiers were stationed at the city tower. During the flourishing era of the Ming Dynasty, everything was peaceful and prosperous. Although Chang'an was a crucial area on the western frontier, the guarding of the city was merely a formality.

Upon hearing this, Mei Yunqing looked over and saw that Yang Fei was indeed carrying a string of ropes. Her heart was filled with joy, thinking that someone must have borrowed these ropes to leave the city from this place. Their luck was truly remarkable

Mei Yunqing is known as the most beautiful woman in the martial world, and she is already accustomed to such gazes from men. However, as the leader of a sect, her status is noble; although others may harbor such intentions, they do not dare to be as bold as to stare at her face without responding. She felt a surge of anger and raised her voice slightly, saying: "Hey!"

In the training ground, the young and middle-aged disciples could not help but inquire of one another. Among them, a young disciple appeared particularly indignant and scoffed, "Feiyang, who is that woman? How could she command such treatment from the chief escort? She certainly has a lot of arrogance!"

Mei Yunqing said without hesitation: "Take me there." Then she turned to Manager Sun and said: "Old Sun, be cautious and alert; someone may come to investigate tonight."

Fu Jun was already accustomed to such scenes. He elongated his tone and feigned grievance, saying: "Father, the child knows he was wrong"

Mei Yunqing's delicate face turned crimson. In her moment of desperation, she acted thus, resulting in her first intimate contact with a boy of the same age. Her heart trembled violently, and in a panic, she hurriedly released Yang Fei, only to feel an excruciating pain in her hands. Upon closer inspection, she found her fair hands covered in blood. The coarse rope was poorly made, with many barbs, clearly causing the injury as it had swiftly grazed her skin. Silently, she took out a bottle of hemostatic powder from her bag and applied it to her hands, then retrieved a silk scarf to tightly bind them.

Fu Wujie then said: "It is getting late; you should go and have dinner." The two were surprised by Fu Wujie's kindness, as they had even avoided being scolded. They were overjoyed, bowed to Fu Wujie, and hurriedly left.

Mei Yunqing noticed that when Bai Xiangtian said this, a strange expression appeared on Fu Wuji's face. Knowing that it was certainly not the case, she said: "The matter here is settled, everyone, I take my leave." After saying this, she gave a slight bow and vanished into the night sky.

Mei Yunqing tied up the rope, which was made of beef tendon. After testing it, she found it quite sturdy. Holding it in her hand, she said to Yang Fei: "I will go up first. After I lower the rope, you can climb it, and I will pull you up." Without waiting for Yang Fei's response, she took a slight breath and leaped up with the rope in hand.

Before she could finish speaking, a stunning young girl, just nineteen years old, darted out from the back door, gracefully landing in front of Mei Yunqing like a flying swallow. She respectfully said, "Miss, we have found 'Master of Empty Hands' Ding Xiaoquan." This girl was, of course, Mei Lan.

Mei Yunqing noticed that he referred to her first as the owner of the estate, then as Miss, and finally as Young Lady, with an increasingly familiar tone. If this continued, she feared that even Yunqing herself might end up calling him that. However, his last remark was too serious; while spying on others is wrong, it hardly warrants a death sentence. A playful thought arose in her heart, and she smiled, saying, "You must not regret this." In a flash, the sword gleamed, and before Yang Fei could see clearly, he felt a chill in his chest. Unbeknownst to him, Mei Yunqing had drawn an ancient and elegantly simple sword, its ominous tip aimed directly at his heart. If her delicate hand were to advance just a little further, even with extraordinary skills, he would be pierced through, ensuring his life would be in jeopardy.

"I was delayed for a moment due to some matters. What is it, Old Sun?" Mei Yunqing's face showed a look of surprise; this Manager Sun had always acted with composure, so why was he so agitated today?

Yang Fei, upon hearing the beauty's reprimand, felt a great joy in his heart. As he watched her tears fall drop by drop onto the ground, he wished to offer comfort but did not know how to proceed. He could only gently place his hand on Mei Yunqing's shoulder and softly echo, "It is all my fault, it is all my fault"

Mei Yunqing noticed that Yang Fei looked unfamiliar, and with a surprised expression, she said: "Do you know me? How come I have never seen you before?"

Mei Yunqing found it amusing and almost let out a delicate laugh. Remembering the matter at hand, her heart stirred, and she immediately had an idea. Without even seeing how her delicate figure swayed, she was already in front of Yang Fei, smiling and saying: "Could you help me with something?"

The master of Mei Manor discreetly sealed the acupoints of Fu Yang and the others, demonstrating remarkable martial prowess. Yang Fei found himself unable to move, feeling a surge of anger within. However, as soon as her delicate and sweet voice, akin to the sound of silver bells, reached his ears, his mind buzzed, and all his anger dissipated into the clouds. He longed for her to speak just a moment longer, wishing to hear her celestial voice, and in that moment, he would gladly listen for a lifetime, without any regrets.