Chapter Five: The Unjustly Accused in Dongting

The crowd was taken aback and rushed forward, unleashing a flurry of punches and kicks at Cheng Chuqiu. Cheng Chuqiu found himself at a disadvantage; that previous strike had merely been a surprise attack, catching his opponent off guard. Now, faced with the onslaught of the crowd's direct blows, he had no means to defend himself. All he could do was curl up his body and endure the punches and kicks.

Everyone present laughed heartily upon hearing this. One person even remarked, "I said we have always acted recklessly. How is it that today, the bandits have a change of heart and actually help capture a criminal? Even if it's for money, isn't it still self-destructive? This will surely incur divine retribution. Hahaha... Brother Fulu is truly clever; this way, it has turned into kidnapping for ransom. Hahaha, splendid, splendid..."

As the conversation came to an end, the figures ceased their movements, and the surroundings fell into silence. Once the words were spoken, an even deeper stillness enveloped the space, with not a sound to be heard.

Suddenly, a muffled groan was heard, and a figure flew over the heads of the crowd. Fulu recognized at a glance that it was the silhouette of someone with the surname Jian, and thought to himself, "This is bad!" He turned around, only to see shadows moving in the forest, and the figure of Cheng Chuqiu, who had originally been on the ground, had vanished without a trace

With Ji Liangping gone, Cheng Chuqiu felt unburdened and his courage grew. He dashed out at an angle for a while, made a circle, and ran back towards the source of that sound. Soon, he heard a series of footsteps approaching and thought to himself: "It must be him!" He called out loudly: "The surname Cheng is here." He stood still and halted.

Cheng Chuqiu wanted to express his opinion, hoping that Ji Liangping would not run too far. However, he was most unwilling to see his brothers dragged into his own affairs. Therefore, on the other hand, he also hoped that Ji Liangping would run far away, so that no one would discover the two of them together

Qigu frowned and said, "Are you going to insult me first?" Cheng Chuqiu replied, "You say I want to run away; isn't that an insult to me? Run away? Why would I want to run away?"

Cheng Chuqiu waved his hand dismissively and said, "Who do you think you are? Do you think my innocence relies on your proof? How can you prove my innocence?" After saying this, he turned and left.

Ji Liangping said, "In this case, there are likely quite a few who are aware of it." Cheng Chuqiu replied, "However, we already know the source, and we can initially set the target range to those who attended the meeting that night. Therefore, I need the list of all guests present that evening. Can you help me obtain it?"

Both parties were aware that the other was not an easy opponent, thus when they engaged, they both exerted their full strength, striking swiftly. In the blink of an eye, they had exchanged nearly fifty moves. Cheng Chuqiu, wary of the lethal edge of Qi Guqin's blade, did not dare to close the distance too much. However, after fifty moves and then a hundred, he gradually began to discern some patterns in Qi Guqin's swordsmanship. With each advance and retreat, there was now a method to follow. After another hundred moves, he was already able to close in and pose a direct threat to Qi Guqin.

Qigu Jin Dao: "Choosing a day is not as good as striking on the day; shall we settle this today?" He swung his sword to block. Cheng Chuqiu said: "Oh? Do you wish to rely on numbers to win?" He dodged repeatedly, showing no desire to engage in battle.

In fact, when masters engage in combat, the outcome is not determined by the presence or absence of weapons. Cheng Chuqiu fights unarmed because his mastery of the Seven Scatter Hands and the Cloud Sky Palm requires him to be unarmed to unleash his full potential. On the other hand, Qi Gujin wields both a broadsword and flying daggers, which embody the essence of his martial arts skills. Both sides are employing their signature techniques, making the encounter as natural as it can be. Qi Gujin is not a novice; he should not exhibit such psychological tendencies. In summary, his excessive concern for gains and losses causes him to feel constrained from the very beginning, leading to anxiety over what he might gain or lose, preventing him from fully expressing his abilities.

Zhou Tian was furious and shouted, "Let your dog stop barking..." Before he could finish his sentence, he forcefully twisted the arm of the other person among the two, causing him to cry out in pain

As Qi Gu observed the increasingly astonishing performance, he thought to himself: "Cheng Chuqiu is so young, yet his martial arts skills and reputation are so remarkable. It must largely stem from his intelligence and his cleverness in adapting to challenges. Otherwise, with Chai Yunlong's four to five decades of dedication, even he has not reached the level of a second-rate master, so how could he possibly teach such an outstanding disciple?"

Cheng Chuqiu still could not figure out what had happened, as he was already hanging on that person's shoulder, continuously darting deeper into the forest. Suddenly, someone shouted: "Who is it? Stop right there!" "What audacity! How dare you disturb your grandfather? Are you tired of living?" "Catch him, don't let him escape!" Yet the voices gradually faded away in the other direction. "Stop right there!" "What audacity! How dare you disturb your grandfather? Are you tired of living?" "Catch him, don't let him escape!" Yet the voices gradually faded away in the other direction.

The crowd gradually gathered around, and everyone was chattering, exchanging congratulations. Among them, someone said: "I have always heard the saying 'Heaven's net is vast and wide, yet nothing escapes it,' but I never believed in such nonsense. Now that I have seen it with my own eyes, isn't this exactly what it is? Hahaha..." Cheng Chuqiu felt a sharp pain in his back, as someone had kicked him.

Ji Liangping was taken aback and said, "Are you suggesting that..." Cheng Chuqiu replied, "The death of Yao Ji is indeed strange. She was not murdered; rather, she died from an overdose of aphrodisiacs. If she did not take the drug herself, the person who administered it must have known about Yao Ji in advance, which would have allowed them to poison her food or drink beforehand.

Cheng Chuqiu was filled with doubts, but the identity of his savior piqued his curiosity even more. However, facing the savior's back, he could only see the soles of his feet. Yet, observing his footsteps, they felt remarkably familiar. He thought to himself, "This person is carrying someone yet can still move with such speed; his lightness skill surpasses mine. Who could he be?" In the martial world, those with superior lightness skills were indeed few and far between. Suddenly, he recalled hearing someone call him "Second Brother" just moments ago and exclaimed, "Fourth Brother, is that you?" He thought again, "This person is carrying someone yet can still move with such speed; his lightness skill surpasses mine. Who could he be?" In the martial world, those with superior lightness skills were indeed few and far between. Suddenly, he recalled hearing someone call him "Second Brother" just moments ago and exclaimed, "Fourth Brother, is that you?"

The person with the surname Jian seemed to understand a bit and said, "What you mean is that we can raise the price on the spot?" Fu Lu replied, "Exactly, this Cheng Chuqiu is acting against the will of both heaven and man, causing widespread outrage. Moreover, he possesses such high martial arts skills that as long as he is alive, they will find it hard to eat or sleep peacefully. We should put in some extra effort, send someone to deliver the message, and say that Cheng Chuqiu is in our hands..." He recounted the plan he had in mind.

The two individuals each landed a blow on the other, resulting in a draw. Cheng Chuqiu leaped back and noticed that the cut was not deep, exclaiming, "Goodness!" Just as he was about to press on, he suddenly heard voices not far away. After a moment's hesitation, he said, "Let's call it a day. I will come again another time to learn from you."

Indeed, he heard the person say: "Second Brother, let's talk later..." As he ran, he was also carrying someone on his back. If he were to speak, his speed would undoubtedly be affected. Cheng Chuqiu recognized his voice; it was indeed Ji Liang as usual. He felt a genuine sense of relief in his heart. Even with a thousand words to say, he understood that it was not the right time to confide in his brother.

Cheng Chuqiu was greatly moved by his serious demeanor and asked, "How are elder brother and third brother? Are they well?" Ji Liangping replied while untying the ropes, "Elder brother came along too! He was the one responsible for the diversion, drawing away that group of people, and then I came to carry second brother."

It is unclear how long they have been running, but Ji Liangping is carrying Cheng Chuqiu through the woods, arriving at a bamboo grove. Cheng Chuqiu realizes that they have been heading north all along, leaving that group far behind. However, this also means they are getting further away from Taohua Village.

The man angrily exclaimed, "Good! Good!" and threw the steel knife on the ground. He rolled up the sleeve of his right arm with his left hand, revealing a half-severed arm. Cheng Chuqiu, upon seeing this, recalled a past event and said, "So it is you." The man lowered his sleeve and asked, "Do you regret it?"

Cheng Chuqiu caught up from behind, grabbing him and saying, "This person is not the elder brother!" Before he could finish his sentence, a swift sound cut through the air, and a streak of silver light shot out from the bamboo forest. The two hurriedly lowered their heads, and the silver light just grazed over them. With a loud "crack," a bamboo behind them snapped in response, and the silver light, undiminished in force, pierced into the ground.

Everyone exchanged glances, but no one spoke. Everyone felt that while revenge was certainly important, going against money would only lead to self-inflicted suffering

After a while, the one surnamed Jian said: "If you have any ideas, just say them directly. Why keep everyone in suspense?" Fu Lu replied: "That depends on whether this Brother Zhou can calm down; then we can discuss it." Upon hearing this, everyone turned their gaze towards Zhou Tianfang.

It is said that a thousand pieces of gold cannot buy foresight; one may think this way, yet there is nothing one can do about it. In the midst of contemplation, one’s body has already been turned over like a turtle. Cheng Chuqiu looked around and saw a group of people standing nearby, among whom a few seemed somewhat familiar, but upon serious reflection, she could not recall who they were.

Cheng Chuqiu was taken aback and asked, "What do you regret?" The person coldly replied, "Regretting not killing me back then." Cheng Chuqiu responded, "Your crimes do not warrant death."

Qi Gujin lightly remarked, "Heaven's Way Defender? Isn't that a title you bestowed upon yourself?" Cheng Chuqiu replied, "Say what you will." As he turned to leave, Qi Gujin swiftly stepped in front of him and asked, "Where do you think you're going?"

The ambushers who had been lurking here were initially cautious in their pursuit, but after a short while, as the distance widened, they no longer held back. One by one, they emerged from the forest and ran up the mountain path. Cheng Chuqiu, intent on teasing them, neither slowed down nor looked back, and charged forward relentlessly.

Everyone nodded in agreement. Seeing that everyone was on his side, Zhou Tianfang felt dissatisfied and said, "A Buddha fights for a stick of incense, and a person fights for a breath of air. He has ruined my hand, so I will break his arm; this won't cost him his life. Don't all of you friends who have suffered his grievances want to take this opportunity to vent your frustrations?" He incited the crowd present to support his actions.

If he were intent on evading, with Cheng Chuqiu's lightness of foot, dealing with the people before him would be more than sufficient. He ran for over an hour and soon arrived at the borders of Yuanjiang County, with the pursuing soldiers long lost from sight. Only then could Cheng Chuqiu take a moment to rest. The continuous unexpected situations over the past two days had already left him physically and mentally exhausted. At this moment, as he relaxed, all the fatigue immediately surged to the forefront of his mind. After a hasty meal to satisfy his hunger, he sought out a secluded small inn to rest.

It is said that Cheng Chuqiu was caught off guard and was spat upon by Zhou Tianfang, which made him furious. He had long thought of revenge, and when he saw someone intending to follow up, he could no longer contain himself. Gathering all his strength, he aimed for the right moment and charged forward. His actions were driven by the principle that a gentleman may be killed but must not be humiliated. Naturally, he anticipated being besieged by the crowd afterward.

Then Qi Gu knew that others had arrived, and said: "We take care of our own matters, why should we concern ourselves with others?" Cheng Chuqiu coldly laughed and said: "Heh heh, after dealing with you, I still have to handle them; I am not that foolish.

But strangely, when he raised his right arm, his hand could not extend out. In shock, he finally saw clearly that he was ensnared by a fishing net. This net was not only extremely resilient, but also tightened the more he struggled. Cheng Chuqiu understood that he had not been captured by a master, yet he was equally astonished. He hurriedly grasped the mesh of the net with both hands, exerted his internal energy, and forcefully pulled outward.

Fu Lu shook his head and said: "This is precisely the problem. Think about it: if you want to vent your anger, others will want to do the same. For the sake of fairness, everyone would take a stab at him. How could he possibly survive? Even if everyone were to show restraint and remain silent, a single blow that severs a hand might not necessarily take his life. However, if the wound is not properly treated and becomes infected, he could be meeting the King of Hell in three to five days."

Ji Liangping said, "No, if we are to leave, let us leave together." He pulled Cheng Chuqiu and ran backward. Yan Chengyu had never used throwing knives; even if he suddenly did, it would be impossible for him to aim at his own brother. Therefore, without needing to guess, it was clear that the newcomer had ill intentions and was definitely not Yan Chengyu.

Cheng Chuqiu continued to ask: "What did Master Lei say after he found out?" Ji Liangping replied: "He was very happy when he learned about it, full of enthusiasm, and he almost raised both hands in agreement. His level of cooperation afterwards was also very high, which saved us a lot of trouble"

Several birds flew from the treetops, gliding over his head, the sound of their flapping wings gradually fading from near to far. The birds in the eastern forest sang, while those in the western forest echoed, and apart from this, there was no other sound.

Cheng Chuqiu wanted to turn around to see whose path he had fallen into. Suddenly, his foot slipped, and he fell forward. At this moment, his feet left the ground, and the fishing net tightened; even if he wanted to climb up, he could not get back up.

Ji Liangping was still hesitating. Suddenly, Cheng Chuqiu pushed him aside and whispered, "Split up!" Only then did Ji Liangping say, "Be careful with everything!" His body darted away and disappeared into the dense bamboo forest.

The person scrutinized the appearance and expression, furrowing his brow, and said, "What? Have you actually forgotten who I am?" His tone was quite displeased. Cheng Chuqiu deliberately provoked him, saying, "Hmph, with all the petty characters running rampant in the martial world, it's impossible to remember so many of them."

As one side diminishes, the other side grows. Cheng Chuqiu navigated through the web of blades, gradually becoming adept, and couldn't help but think: "The so-called Blade King is nothing extraordinary." Suddenly, he caught sight of a flaw exposed on Qi Guqin's back, and without a moment's hesitation, he reached out with his right hand and seized it.

Qigu Jinhe said: "Wait!" He drew the large knife from his back and blocked it in front of Cheng Chuqiu, saying: "The pure will remain pure, and the impure will remain impure. If you are truly at peace with your conscience, why fear going through this with me?" Cheng Chuqiu replied solemnly: "I am at peace with my conscience, so there is no need to go anywhere."

Qi Gujin was displeased and said, "Then you must be able to deal with me before we talk." Cheng Chuqiu imitated his tone and replied, "Then you must first catch up to me before we talk..." Before he could finish his sentence, he suddenly began to retreat, his body rising higher and higher, as if a rope were pulling him back. Qi Gujin realized he was about to leave but did not expect him to have such skill in retreating. He shouted, "Where do you think you're going!" and swung his knife to pursue.

The man struggled for a moment and angrily said, "What are you two doing? Let me go!" To his left, a middle-aged fat man with a peculiar demeanor held onto his shoulder. With a voice like a broken gong, he said in a sing-song manner, "Zhou Tianfang, this person is our money; if you want to touch him, you must first ask us brothers."

Fu Lu shouted, "Everyone chase!" As soon as he moved, he darted towards the shadowy figure swaying in the forest. His old partner, Shou Xi, had the best rapport with him and was the first to follow. Fu Lu whispered, "He has accomplices, their numbers are unknown, be cautious!"

Cheng Chuqiu said, "What do you think?" Ji Liangping replied with a smile, "We have also made plans. If Lei Songde does not agree, we will take you out by force.

Ji Liangping was greatly enraged and exclaimed, "How can this be reasonable!" He made Hetushucomcom exert all his strength, turning his face completely red. Cheng Chuqiu had never seen him act so impulsively and quickly advised, "Alright, Fourth Brother, if it cannot be severed, consider another method; there is no need to be so angry."

Cheng Chuqiu's shock was truly extraordinary, as someone seized his vest like an eagle catching a chick, pulling him backward—an unprecedented occurrence. This individual possessed exceptional martial skills, almost transcending the ordinary, and was terrifying to behold. Although startled, he remained composed; his right hand swiftly reached back, executing the technique known as "Turning Back to the Shore" from the Seven Dispersing Hands. No matter how formidable his opponent was, they could not evade this move.

Qi Gujin restored his original serious expression and said, "You feel guilty for your wrongdoing, so naturally you want to escape." Cheng Chuqiu turned his face and angrily replied, "Brother Qi, I respect you as a person of stature, yet you are here talking nonsense. Isn't this disheartening?"

Cheng Chuqiang simply stopped in his tracks, clasped his fists around him, and said in a loud voice: "It is truly an honor for Cheng Chuqiang to have all of you friends waiting here early in the morning. I humbly request everyone to show themselves."

How could Qi Gujin not be aware of these individuals' intentions? Yet, even if he unconsciously sought to take this opportunity to trample Cheng Chuqiu underfoot, the name Cheng Chuqiu remains the primary reason that this otherwise unremarkable series of murders has become the focal point of public attention. Consequently, this mission has been imbued with immense honor and value, regarded by many as a sacred duty. Whoever can truly capture him and bring him to justice will undoubtedly achieve instant fame and earn the admiration of thousands.

Thus, Qi Gujin's unique skill of wielding both the left and right hands simultaneously, using both large and small knives, is not only unprecedented but also something his master could not achieve, and it is likely that there will be no successors to this technique. Furthermore, since Qi Gujin usually employs the flying knife with his right hand, this skill rarely comes into play. Even if Cheng Chuqiu were ten times smarter, how could he possibly conceive that Qi Gujin could also shoot flying knives with his left hand, and that the power would be greater than when using only the right hand?

That said, both individuals were well aware of each other's renowned martial arts skills. Particularly for Qi Guqin, who was four to five years older than Cheng Chuqiu and had achieved fame relatively early. However, recently, Cheng Chuqiu's reputation had surged, showing a clear trend of surpassing his predecessors. He outwardly feigned indifference and nonchalance, yet he paid close attention to any news regarding Cheng Chuqiu. Beyond the camaraderie shared among heroes, he privately regarded Cheng Chuqiu as a primary rival, using him as a source of motivation in secret. He outwardly feigned indifference and nonchalance, yet he paid close attention to any news regarding Cheng Chuqiu. Beyond the camaraderie shared among heroes, he privately regarded Cheng Chuqiu as a primary rival, using him as a source of motivation in secret.

With a soft "Eh," Qi Gujin turned the handle of the knife and aimed to strike his wrist. Cheng Chuqiu spread his five fingers, drawing a small circle, and suddenly reached back to grab Qi Gujin's wrist. Among his fingers, the middle finger was the longest, just enough to brush against the Yangchi acupoint on his wrist

Fulu Road: "Everyone knows that Cheng Chuqiu's head is worth 2,000 taels of silver, but does anyone know why?" Zhou Tianfang replied: "He committed a crime in Yichun and even killed his own master. His fellow disciples wanted him to pay with his life, but they couldn't defeat him, so they offered a bounty."

He questioned and answered himself, growing increasingly anxious. Several times, his left hand brushed against the pouch at his waist, yet he hesitated to proceed. He thought to himself: "I have already gained the upper hand with a broadsword against an unarmed opponent; if I were to further attack with throwing knives, how could I hold my head high in front of others in the future?"

Cheng Chuqiu saw him chasing after and thought to himself: "What a stubborn and troublesome fellow..." He originally intended to have a word with Qi Guqin, but he was also afraid that getting entangled with everyone would delay him for too long, potentially attracting the assistance of Yan Chengyu and Ji Liangping. Thus, he had no choice but to abandon the thought of returning to his hometown and continued to rush northward.

Cheng Chuqiu thought to herself that she had initially given them a chance; since they did not know how to be polite, they would have to rely on their own abilities. Thus, she soared high and dipped low, making it difficult for anyone to get a clear shot. After a while, the distance between the two sides had finally widened to the point where even hidden weapons could not reach, followed by a chorus of curses.

After a bout of laughter, someone finally noticed: "Hey, everyone, this kid hasn't said a word; he must be feeling indignant." "Who cares if he's indignant? In any case, we've caught him, we'll send him in for the reward, and then split the silver. That will be a job well done." "Come on, let's turn him over; I want to see what kind of character a great hero looks like when he's tied up in a fishing net."

Having made up her mind, she went to the dock by the shore. Looking left and right, she found that almost all the boats had left, with only one small boat still moored at the eastern pier. Cheng Chuqiu noticed that although the boat was small, the advantage was that there were no other people around, so she paid to charter the boat and instructed the boatman to set out quickly

Qi Gujin questioned: "What is the true purpose?" Cheng Chuqiu replied: "I have long heard that you are quite concerned about the fact that the friends in the Jianghu around the Two Lakes refer to me as a great hero. You are not satisfied in your heart and have long wanted to find an opportunity to compete with me, but you are hesitant to act due to the reputation among our Jianghu friends, am I right?" Upon hearing Cheng Chuqiu's words, he felt quite regretful and thought to himself: "Why bring this up? I fear it is I who am truly concerned."

Cheng Chuqiu said, "What do you think?" Ji Liangping let out a light sigh and replied, "I don't know. I only know that Third Brother doesn't believe you, but I believe you. If they want to capture you, I won't agree. That's it."

Ji Liangping continued: "This Yao Ji is quite famous in Yichun, so Lei Songde arranged for a carriage to pick her up from the restaurant, and also to buy some wine. Perhaps this is how the news leaked out." Cheng Chuqiu pondered: "Hmm, early the next morning, the two sons of the Lei family inexplicably came to join in the excitement, which indicates that they were already aware of this matter in advance."

Ji Liangping threw the dagger aside and laughed aloud, saying, "I should have known that if they didn't use such strange things, how could they possibly trap my second brother?" Upon finding the place of the knot, he noticed that the method of tying the net was rather complicated, so he patiently began to work on it, methodically untangling the knots.

Although the boatman was a slender elder in his fifties, he possessed considerable strength. With each stroke of the oar and each push of the pole, the boat advanced several feet. As they drifted along, they soon arrived at the center of the lake. Cheng Chuqi rarely had such leisure, so he instructed the boatman to drop anchor and stop the boat, while he lay on the deck at the bow, basking in the sun and reflecting on the thoughts that had accumulated over the past few days

He recalled everything that had happened over the past half month, and how it had completely changed his life in the blink of an eye, filling him with an immense sense of loss. Then he thought of his master who had died unexpectedly and his childhood sweetheart, and a surge of resentment arose within him. By now, he had fully realized that there was definitely someone behind the scenes orchestrating his downfall, systematically taking everything away from him.

But before he had the chance to feel proud of his performance, he suddenly felt a resistance, as if he had collided with a mass of cotton. Then, to his astonishment, his body began to retreat in mid-air, as if someone had grabbed him from behind and was pulling him back.

Cheng Chuqiu said: "Even with so much evidence against me, you still believe me?" Ji Liangping stopped his actions, looked at him, and said: "Second brother, what is wrong with you? This matter clearly has nothing to do with you, why are you speaking such discouraging words?"

Looking at the desperate expression on Zhou Tian's face again, I couldn't help but think: "His hand wasn't cut off by me on purpose; didn't he want to kill me at that time?"

Zhou Tianfang said: "As long as I can personally chop off this fellow's hand, I can forgo my share." Fu Lu replied: "Very well, revenge is to be repaid. For grievances, we share the silver. Is this your personal opinion, or does it represent everyone?" The one surnamed Jian said: "In any case, this thief Cheng has committed such a serious crime that he will certainly not survive. As long as I can humiliate him, I will consider it a revenge fulfilled, and I still want my share of the silver." Is this your personal opinion, or does it represent everyone?" The one surnamed Jian said: "In any case, this thief Cheng has committed such a serious crime that he will certainly not survive. As long as I can humiliate him, I will consider it a revenge fulfilled, and I still want my share of the silver."

At that moment, a cold light shot out from the lower left, heading straight for the right shoulder. Cheng Chuqiu was startled and quickly retracted his hand and turned to the side. He saw a flying knife sweep past his shoulder, missing by no more than half an inch. It turned out that Qi Guqin, forced by circumstances, had ultimately resorted to throwing the knife.

Recently, a significant incident occurred involving Cheng Chuqiu. His initial reaction was still one of disbelief, stating "impossible"; however, with both eyewitnesses and physical evidence present, and given that the two had not formed a deep connection, he ultimately believed it to be about eighty percent true. Subsequently, some senior figures from the Qingyunxiao sect considered him to be the best candidate to counterbalance Cheng Chuqiu, and thus they supported him in taking action against Cheng Chuqiu.

But then, a voice shouted from ahead: "Good!" The bamboo forest parted, revealing a tall and imposing young man. He appeared to be around thirty years old, with a robust physique. Cheng Chu Qiu stood before him, appearing half a head shorter. Dressed in sturdy attire, he carried a large sword on his back, and a pouch was tied around his waist, containing several short knives. The knife handles protruded from the pouch, and the yellow silk tassels at the ends swayed in the wind, just like the one that had recently been shot at Cheng Ji and the others, breaking the bamboo and embedding itself in the ground.

Looking out, the lake's surface was dotted with the shadows of boats. Cheng Chuqiu suddenly thought: "I might as well hire a boat; whether heading north, east, or west, I can shake off these people's entanglements without exhausting myself to the point where it feels like my bones are about to fall apart."

This is undoubtedly a good opportunity, not only does Qi Gujin think so, but many ambitious young individuals in the martial world, who are constantly seeking opportunities to rise, have all secretly contemplated this. However, the appealing reputation of Cheng Chuqiu has also become a reason for their hesitation. If Qi Gujin truly intends to establish his position in the martial arts world by capturing Cheng Chuqiu, then in reality, he has already acknowledged that he is indeed inferior to Cheng Chuqiu.

Early the next morning, as soon as I stepped out of the shop, I noticed a few beggars by the roadside across the street, looking around curiously. It was strange for beggars not to beg. Cheng Chuqiu quickly turned his face away and walked out of the county town nonchalantly. As I strolled along, I saw the river stretching across, blocking the way. Further downstream, the river suddenly opened up, vast and boundless. After inquiring with the locals, I learned that I had already arrived at the shores of Dongting Lake

In fact, Cheng Chuqiu and Qi Gujin were not well acquainted; they were merely both young talents in the martial arts world in recent years, having heard of each other's names, yet they had never had the opportunity to meet. On a few occasions, they happened to cross paths, but due to pressing matters at hand, they could only exchange a glance and nod in acknowledgment.

Cheng Chuqiu said, "Qi, it is indeed you." The man replied, "It is I." Cheng Chuqiu continued, "Why did you deliberately shoot the flying knife high just now?" The man responded, "I only wanted you not to escape; I never intended to resolve this with a flying knife."

Qi Gujin was furious and shouted, "Look at the knife!" A cold light flashed, slashing diagonally from the upper left to the lower right, the knife's momentum was fierce. Cheng Chuqiu sidestepped to avoid it and also angrily said, "Are you serious?" With a twist of his palms, he leaped forward, employing his signature skill.

Ji Liangping said: "Yes, that's right, it must be like this." Cheng Chuqiu replied: "The person who administered the poison may not be the murderer of my master, but there must be a connection between the two. As long as we can find this person, the true culprit will be revealed."

Ji Liangping said: "This..." Cheng Chuqiu replied: "Don't hesitate any longer; if we delay any further, the three of us brothers will perish here today"

Indeed, as he dashed forward, the people lying in ambush around him immediately began to stir restlessly. Cheng Chuqiu smiled faintly, the true energy within him circulating, and his feet seemed to barely touch the ground.

Cheng Chuqiu rushed out a few steps while saying: "No, Fourth Brother, your lightness skill is better than mine. I need you to go back and find Eldest Brother; I will draw them away. I fear something has happened to Eldest Brother since these people have managed to chase us here." He knew it was impossible for Ji Liangping to leave him behind and go alone, so he pulled Yan Chengyu along.

Qigujin felt quite embarrassed about having taken this meal from him, and simply said: "Since you are so stubborn and unrepentant, do not blame me for being rude." Cheng Chuqiu replied: "Is this not your true intention?"

Zhou Tian shouted loudly: "Are you blind? Didn't you see what is written on the notice: 'Life and death are irrelevant'? Even if you only bring your head, the white silver will still fill your pockets. Step aside! You two foolish pigs!" As he moved his body, he thought the two would let go, but unexpectedly, they tightened their grip even more.

The person with the surname Jian said: "This method of venting is quite harmless, hehe..." As I stepped forward, intending to deal with the situation accordingly, Cheng Chuqiu suddenly sprang up from the ground and collided headfirst with Jian's lower body. With a loud "bang," Jian was left with a mouthful of blood and fell backward.

I did not expect that this fishing net used against him was no ordinary item. When he pulled, the force was unknown to be several hundred pounds, yet the net was not damaged in the slightest; instead, the netting embedded itself into the flesh of his ten fingers, cutting deep and leaving trails of blood.

At that moment, there was a loud "bang," and the man surnamed Jian unexpectedly flew backward into the air. Just as he was puzzled, someone suddenly whispered in his ear, "Second brother, I apologize for the offense." His body felt light as he was hoisted onto someone's shoulder, and after a few leaps, he had already darted into the woods

Everyone exchanged glances, some pointing here and there, and they actually began to tally. Then Fu Lu Dao said: "There is no need to count, I just counted, and there are a total of 15 people here. If we calculate, each person can receive just a little over 130 taels..."

Amidst the chaos, someone shouted, "Alright, enough! We have been too careless. Does anyone have a rope? Let’s tie a few more loops outside; that should solve the problem." The man surnamed Jian, bloodied and supporting his chin, staggered forward towards Cheng Chuqiu, who lay on the ground, injured all over, muttering incomprehensible curses. This was not enough; he continued to kick repeatedly.

Fu Lu smiled and said, "Not bad, you seem to have inquired quite thoroughly about his matters." Zhou Tianfang let out a cold laugh. Fu Lu continued, "These people who are paying money would rather see him dead, which is why they offered two thousand taels. If he really dies and fulfills their wishes, then this two thousand taels will be the price of his death."

If this matter was not perpetrated by his rival, then the most likely suspects would still be those friends from the martial world who attended the banquet that day. Speaking of this group of martial friends, although most of them were merely there to enjoy the festivities, the thought that any of them might wish to harm him was something Cheng Chuqiu was reluctant to entertain.

Cheng Chuqiu said: "Listen to Second Brother, this is none of your business, don't get involved in this mess." Ji Liangping replied: "Let's not talk about that for now." He drew a dagger from his boot and went to cut the fishing net

Cheng Chuqiu said: "Go find the real culprit and prove my innocence. Moreover, the revenge for my master is naturally to be taken by me, his disciple, without the need for outsiders to meddle in affairs that do not concern them". Qi Gujin replied: "To prove your innocence, you must come with me". As he spoke, he extended his hand.

Cheng Chuqiu was greatly alarmed, only to see Qi Guqin turn around, his left hand moving, and another beam of cold light shot out. It turned out that Qi Guqin had been left-handed before the age of eight, using his left hand for eating and writing. It was only after he became a disciple and learned the art that he practiced with his right hand under his master's guidance

Zhou Tian looked around and saw the anger of the crowd, with a snort, he shrugged his shoulders, and Fu Lu Shou Xi released his hand, allowing him to step back a pace

Zhou Tianfang, seeing the situation as it was, did not want to go against the consensus. With a disdainful "pah," he spat at Cheng Chuqiu and retreated in indignation

In his entire life, he had never been treated this way by anyone. He felt both resentment and hatred, as well as shame and anger. As he watched that person with the surname Jian rise again, seeking to avenge the recent collision, he found himself powerless to mount an effective defense. With a long sigh, he closed his eyes, feeling utterly helpless.

Before coming here, my thoughts were in disarray, and upon seeing Cheng Chuqiu, I felt equally lost. Fortunately, Cheng Chuqiu was unexpectedly very unfriendly; once things escalated, there was no need to find another excuse.

A disheveled man with a black face and a twisted beard approached him, holding a steel knife, and said with a cold smile: "Our hero Cheng, I wonder if you have ever thought that you would end up like this today." Cheng Chuqiu glanced at him and felt he looked familiar, but could not recall who he was

Cheng Chuqiu searched carefully in all directions, but not a single shadow of a person could be seen. He scoffed inwardly, "Rodents..." and then continued on his way

The man laughed heartily, to the point of becoming somewhat deranged, until his voice became hoarse. A few people approached him, advising, "Old Zhou, just have some fun, but don't get too excited..." It was unclear whether he heard them or not, as he picked up the steel knife and said, "Alright, Cheng Chuqiu, today I won't kill you, as long as you return a hand for a hand, an arm for an arm!" With that, he swung the knife down.

Cheng Chuqiu laughed heartily and said, "Who does not know that Qi is known as the King of Swords throughout history? Whether it is the 'Dragon Mouth Gilded Sword' weighing over 30 pounds or the 'Cicada Wing Flying Yellow Sword' weighing only 3 taels and 2 qian, in Brother Qi's hands, they have long been mastered to perfection. With just one strike, Brother Qi can resolve matters that are common in the martial world. What Brother Qi says is merely modesty."

In a moment of haste, Cheng Chuqiu managed to dodge twice, already feeling quite strained. Suddenly, Qi Gujin made a slanted slash with his knife, the timing and angle perfectly calculated, leaving no clear option to evade or confront. Cheng Chuqiu couldn't help but exclaim, "Good!" With keen eyes and swift hands, he shaped his right hand into a knife-like form and struck down towards Qi Gujin's wrist, executing a move that was both a preemptive strike and a mutual destruction strategy.

Cheng Chuqiu smiled wryly and said, "However, Lord Lei still agreed." Ji Liangping replied, "That's right, he even took the initiative to provide transportation and look for candidates... By the way, Yao Ji should have been found through his connections. Before this, we had only heard of her reputation, but we had never seen her... Eldest brother said that the most alluring woman in Yichun County is especially reserved for you; he absolutely will not visit her before you do." Cheng Chuqiu shook his head with a wry smile.

Then, Qi Gujin's originally serious face also revealed a smile, as he said: "Rumors in the jianghu are always exaggerated. Brother Cheng need not be overly modest." Cheng Chuqiu replied: "Hmm, but you first belittled me and then praised me, which cancels each other out, making it straightforward. You need not be polite either."

In a hurried motion, Cheng Chuqiu lightly brushed aside, the force on his finger was minimal, and Qi Gujin only felt a slight numbness, without sustaining significant injury. However, in a duel between experts, even the slightest weakness could become the key to victory or defeat. Yet, Qi Gujin remained calm and composed, extending his left hand, using the flying knife as a dagger, and directly slashed towards Cheng Chuqiu's hand. Cheng Chuqiu was unable to retract his hand in time and received a cut on the back of his hand

The person with the surname Jian was in a fit of anger, and Fu Lu could not say anything, so he had to let him vent his frustration first. He then turned to the others to discuss who had brought a rope that was thick and strong enough.

As Ji Liangping listened, he couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement, exclaiming, "Exactly, exactly, it must be like this. Let me think, let me think..." Just at that moment, the knot was simultaneously untied. Ji Liangping allowed Cheng Chuqiu to crawl out on his own, while he knocked his head and paced back and forth, carefully recalling the situation at that time. After a while, he looked up and said, "After we made up our minds, we first went to discuss it with Lei Songde, because after all, it was his territory. Moreover, we needed a quiet and undisturbed room, so it was impossible to keep it from him."

Upon hearing this, many advised: "There are numerous ways to take revenge; it is not necessary to resort to cutting off his hand." Another person remarked: "The reason the bounty hunter is indifferent to life and death is that his martial arts are too formidable, and we fear we cannot capture him alive. However, now that he is trapped in the silver thread silk net, what is there to be afraid of?" Everyone spoke in unison, eagerly joining the ranks of those encouraging action.

However, this moment of relaxation did not last long; suddenly, a shadow flickered before him. Experience told him that there were people lying in ambush in this forest

Cheng Chuqiu said: "I see. What about the third brother?" Ji Liangping paused his hand movements for a moment, then continued, saying: "Third brother... he had a quarrel with elder brother and did not come..."

At this moment of turmoil, Ji Liangping's unreserved trust moved Cheng Chuqiu deeply. Just then, a sudden inspiration struck him, and he asked, "By the way, who else knew in advance about the matter of you looking for Yao Ji that day?"

One thinks: "With my weapon in hand, while the opponent is empty-handed, even if I ultimately manage to subdue him, it would merely be a draw. In the future, when this is recounted, everyone will surely say that if it weren't for Cheng Chuqiu being empty-handed, Qi Gujin would not have been so easily captured."

Cheng Chuqiu said: "In such circumstances, your third brother maintains a skeptical attitude, which is very much in line with his consistent fair-mindedness. I do not blame him, nor should you. That said, it is precisely because I admire his character that I chose to become sworn brothers with him." He smiled.

Ji Liangping sighed and said, "I know this as well, so I do not wish to force it. However, my elder brother has a different perspective; he believes... he believes that Third Brother lacks loyalty."

But I heard someone laughing heartily beside me, saying: "Hahaha, if it weren't for Brother Liu's excellent idea, we would probably have let him escape again, truly marvelous, truly marvelous..." Another person said: "I didn't expect this fellow to be so skilled in martial arts. If it weren't for Brother Tian's prior warning, I would never have thought to use this method." Everyone burst into laughter.

In the midst of the chaos, Ji Liangping finally slowed his pace and found a clean spot to set Cheng Chuqiu down. The two faced each other, and Ji Liangping was taken aback by the sight of Cheng's bruised and bloodied face, looking utterly disheveled. He couldn't help but exclaim in anger, "These despicable scoundrels, a bunch of damned rats, only know how to take advantage of others' misfortunes. I will definitely seek justice for this in the future!"

Another person continued, "What Sky Net? It doesn't exist at all. This is Brother Fan's family heirloom: the 'Silver Silk Cocoon Net'! It cannot be cut or destroyed, and the more you struggle, the tighter it becomes. No matter how powerful you are, once you are ensnared by this net, you can forget about escaping. But don't worry, Mr. Jian, what you have done is not serious enough; no one is willing to pay a bounty for you, so the Silver Silk Cocoon Net won't ensnare you, hahahaha..." The man surnamed Jian laughed heartily, saying, "In that case, I should thank you." The crowd erupted in another round of boisterous laughter. But don't worry, Mr. Jian, what you have done is not serious enough; no one is willing to pay a bounty for you, so the Silver Silk Cocoon Net won't ensnare you, hahahaha..." The man surnamed Jian laughed heartily, saying, "In that case, I should thank you." The crowd erupted in another round of boisterous laughter

But Fu Lu said: "That is why I say that you people only know one side and the books, but do not understand the other side. Even if you want to become bandits, I fear you may not be cut out for it. Indeed, this Cheng Chu Qiu, whether his head is on his own neck or not, is worth two thousand taels of silver. Everyone, calculate how many people are standing here? How many taels of silver can each person get?" Indeed, this Cheng Chu Qiu, whether his head is on his own neck or not, is worth two thousand taels of silver. Everyone, calculate how many people are standing here? How many taels of silver can each person get?

Qigu Jin Dao: "If one wishes for others not to know, one must refrain from doing anything. Brother Cheng, we are all discerning individuals; why must you speak nonsense to me?" Cheng Chuqiu thought: "Could it be that he knows as well? Did he come specifically for my matter?" He then said: "So, are you here to capture me?"

The Qi Gu Jin swordsmanship, as taught by his master, required the use of the right hand, as the left hand was not left idle. At that time, his master not only compelled him to learn with the right hand but also, in a moment of inspiration, combined a set of flying knife techniques to simultaneously instruct him in the use of the left hand

The two exchanged a glance, grasping each other's hands, as if any words spoken would be superfluous. After a while, faint sounds could be heard from a distance. Cheng Chuqiu raised an eyebrow and whispered, "Someone is coming..." Ji Liangping showed a hint of joy and said, "It must be my elder brother..." He took a few steps toward the source of the sound and called out, "Elder..."

Zhou Tian was extremely angry and said, "What are you doing? Do you want to help him..." The sarcastic middle-aged man replied, "You have personal grievances with him and want to vent your anger; that's none of my business. But if it interferes with the business of my brother and me, then I must intervene."

Fu Lu glanced at everyone and asked, "It seems that this is Zhou Tianfang's personal opinion." His gaze continued to seek everyone's thoughts

Cheng Chuqiu was quite surprised by this commotion. Turning around, he saw a flying dagger embedded in the ground, its hilt adorned with several strands of yellow tassels. A chill ran through his heart as he exclaimed, "Is it him?" He quickly said to Ji Liangping, "Fourth brother, hurry and leave. Don't let anyone see you with me."

Cheng Chuqiu felt both angry and amused, thinking to himself: "Alright, I will just see how long you can endure this." He clasped his fists and said: "Since you all look down on me, then I shall take my leave..." Before he could finish his sentence, he pushed off with his right foot and shot forward like an arrow.

A crowd gathered around, and the first to act, a person with the surname Jian, said: "Fortune, Prosperity, Longevity, and Happiness, you two should not go too far. Standing here, those who hold a grudge against this person named Cheng are in the majority. If everyone fights, it will not benefit anyone."

Cheng Chuqiu noticed the expression of deep despondency on his face and comforted him, saying: "Your third brother has always been righteous and detests evil; he is a man of unwavering integrity..." Ji Liangping's expression turned serious as he replied: "So, that means he does not believe in the innocence of our second brother. I truly... I truly cannot accept this..."

Cheng Chuqiu quickly crouched down, seeking a gap, and darted to the side. In that moment, he abruptly halted, simultaneously sidestepping and slipping away, demonstrating remarkable skill. Had it not been for his solid internal strength and the proper coordination of his breathing techniques, he would have been injured first.

Cheng Chuqiu glanced at the two individuals on either side, who were holding Zhou Tianfang hostage. Noticing that one was a fat man and the other an old man, he thought to himself: "Indeed, these two are sworn brothers; the fat man is named Fulü, and the old man is called Shouxǐ. They possess a set of sinister martial arts that have caused considerable trouble for many righteous practitioners." He looked at the old man again and continued in his mind: "Although Shouxǐ is older and the elder brother, he always listens to Fulü and is not very talkative. It seems the rumors in the martial world are entirely true."

Cheng Chuqiu's mind quickly flashed through several enemies who hated him to the bone, with whom he had developed significant grudges. When it comes to being insidious and despicable, these individuals are on par with one another. However, in terms of resourcefulness, none stand out particularly. Moreover, these individuals did not attend his celebration banquet that day. Unless someone among them possesses extraordinary patience and meticulousness, it would be impossible for them to know about Yao Ji's situation

However, since these individuals intend to exchange him for money, they are reluctant to kill him. Even so, after enduring a flurry of punches and kicks, Cheng Chuqiu still felt intense pain throughout his body and saw stars. He reached up to wipe his mouth and nose, finding his hand stained with blood. His injuries might not be severe, but he was indeed in a wretched state

Cheng Chuqiu felt invigorated and did not stop. After walking for a while, the sound of the wind rustling through the trees and the leaves dancing became gradually clearer. At that time, the sun was rising higher, casting warm rays, and in the midst of the intense summer heat, a refreshing breeze was particularly delightful. Cheng Chuqiu dashed into the woods, enjoying the fresh and invigorating scent of flowers, grass, and trees that permeated the air in the morning.

Upon hearing the news, I initially did not believe it. However, the matter of killing one's master is extraordinary; with both eyewitnesses and physical evidence present, I had no choice but to accept its truth. What is even more unexpected is that..." His voice turned stern as he continued, "You actually resorted to self-destruction and continued to commit crimes, using the same method to brutally murder the daughter of Lord Xu, the head of Yuelu Academy. If we do not stop you before you become a great villain, who knows how many more crimes you will commit?

However, there is no need to argue about this, especially after one has been captured due to one's own mistakes; discussing it further would only give the impression of begging for mercy.

As the crowd swarmed around him, they began to pull at his body. Cheng Chuqiu found himself unable to move, left at the mercy of others. He thought to himself: "Had I known I would be captured by a bunch of lowly rats, I would have preferred to die at the hands of those two senior beggars."

Cheng Chuqiu listened, let out a soft sigh, unwilling to stoop to their level, and continued to step forward. At that moment, a glimmer of silver light suddenly rushed towards him.

Unexpectedly, this silver thread silk net has quite a few intricacies; not only can it not be torn apart, but it also cannot be cut. Ji Liangping made several attempts to slice it, yet the net remained completely unaffected.

Cheng Chuqiu was taken aback, silently exclaiming, "Oh no!" Although he reacted quickly, the silver light was not only small but also overwhelming. In his haste, he could not discern what those things were. He tilted his body to the side, forcefully halting his momentum. Just as he spoke, the silver light had already descended upon him.

Cheng Chuqiu listened, and could not help but feel furious, thinking: "The life of the Xu family young lady has actually been counted against me." He said: "Whether you believe it or not, the cases you mentioned have nothing to do with me. Do not consider yourself a defender of the heavenly way!"

Cheng Chuqiu let out a chuckle and simply closed his eyes. However, upon hearing a "pop" sound, Cheng Chuqiu opened his eyes again, only to see the person wielding the knife being restrained by two others, unable to move.

Now that there is a clear goal, Cheng Chuqiu feels a sense of reliance. After dawn, looking ahead, the forest stretches for hundreds of miles, lush and shaded, indicating that he has arrived at "Wanmulin". As long as he passes through the forest, in less than ten miles, he will reach the banks of Taohuajiang, and Taohuacun will not be far away.

As the first step was taken, the woods on both sides began to rustle and stir. Cheng Chuqiu walked a few steps and then stopped, proclaiming loudly: "Esteemed guests, after a long journey and a prolonged wait, do you not wish to capture me, Cheng, sooner?"

Ji Liangping pondered for a moment and said, "This is not difficult; it should be fine." Cheng Chuqiu smiled and replied, "You trust Second Brother; Second Brother will not let you down."

Suddenly, a "whooshing" sound came from behind. Cheng Chuqiu, skilled in discerning sounds, realized that these individuals, seeing they could not catch up to him, had unleashed various concealed weapons, including sleeve arrows, flying daggers, money darts, and iron lotus seeds, among others. Cheng Chuqiu was taken aback and thought to himself: "These people are not from the same sect..."