Chapter Four: Misfortunes do not come singly

The two beggars, seeing him seemingly at ease even under their combined efforts, felt somewhat surprised. One of them said: "Your martial arts have reached this level, which is indeed rare. It is a pity that you do not think of repaying your master's kindness or contributing to the state, but instead have strayed onto a wrong path, using your skills as tools for committing crimes. This madness is truly heartbreaking"

Just as I stepped out of the room, I suddenly recalled the acupoint I had just pressed, wondering if I had applied too much force. There was truly no need to be so cautious when dealing with a frail woman. Concerned about the potential impact on her body, I turned back to the bedside, intending to help her unblock a few acupoints. However, Miss Xu was wrapped in the quilt, making it difficult to identify the acupoints. Lifting the quilt would also be somewhat inappropriate. Just as I hesitated, I noticed something on the area beneath her nose, as if it had been smeared with something. I reached out to touch it and suddenly realized: "Oh no, I've fallen into a trap!"

He set down the alluring Miss Xu from the Xu family, stood up to adjust his clothing, and then went to check on the person he had struck in the back with a flick. He saw that the person was lying on the ground, completely motionless. Cheng Chuqiu grabbed the back of his collar from behind and demanded, "Is there an antidote for this spring drug? Speak quickly!"

Cheng Chuqiu dozed off and was only half-awake until midnight. He slipped down to the front of the hall, clasped his hands together in prayer, and muttered a few words to himself, likely out of necessity, earnestly requesting divine guidance. After that, he helped himself to the offerings on the altar. In the desolate mountains, there was nothing of value to offer to the deities, but in his hunger, anything edible felt like a feast.

Cheng Chuqiu looked at these individuals and noticed that the last speaker was dressed differently from the others. It was evident that his companions were the two who had just left. Now he was alone, and seeing that his opponent was audaciously planning to divide the spoils on the spot, he naturally became anxious.

Cheng Chuqiu secretly calculated in his heart: "As soon as those two enter, I will immediately rush in, immobilize both of them, and then interrogate them about the source of the spring medicine. Even if those two boast and exaggerate, at least I can preserve the honor of a young girl."

Just as I thought of this, I suddenly heard footsteps approaching. Cheng Chuqiu hurriedly turned around and returned to the room, closing the door behind her. She went to Miss Xu's side and said, "I beg your pardon!" She then pointed to six major acupoints on her body, wrapped her in a quilt, and carried her to bed.

Cheng Chuqiu was greatly shocked. As he continued to read, he saw several lines written in small script: A reward is offered for the capture of the criminal Cheng Chuqiu, with a bounty of two thousand taels of silver. This criminal has committed heinous acts against his master, and has raped a courtesan, an act of extreme treachery that is intolerable by law. Anyone who shelters or assists in the escape of this individual will be treated as an accomplice and punished accordingly

Cheng Chuqiu said, "Come on!" as he freed his hands to receive the challenge. Strangely enough, when he faced one opponent, the two were evenly matched and fought to a standstill. Now, facing two opponents, he still showed no signs of defeat. He moved back and forth among the two swirling shadows of the staffs, seemingly with plenty of room to spare

Cheng Chuqiu was determined to give him a lesson, and shouted, "Alright!" allowing the horsewhip to wrap around his wrist. The passengers on the horse were overjoyed and shouted, "Big brother, look..." With a squeeze of his legs, he pulled the horse back, intending to drag Cheng Chuqiu along.

Cheng Chuqiu left her feeling flustered, and when she pushed him away, her hand happened to land right on his chest. The young lady of the Xu family let out a soft "hmm" sound, her emotions becoming even more heightened

Cheng Chuqiang wanted to pry her arm open, but at that moment, she was completely bare, and her body felt as if there were no bones anywhere, making it difficult to apply any force. Miss Xu, however, took the opportunity to wrap herself around him and began to kiss his face indiscriminately

The two stayed in the room for a while before finally getting up to leave. As they closed the door, they began to discuss the condition of Miss Xu: "In your opinion, is my daughter alright?" "It seems she has been acupressured, but it’s nothing serious; in time, it will resolve itself..." "This person has such good skills, being active here, I fear..." The more they talked, the further they walked away... "This person has such good skills, being active here, I fear..." The more they talked, the further they walked away

Another person, who was relatively thin and small, clearly lacked the patience. He said: "Why waste so many words with him? If he could listen to advice, he wouldn't be worse than a beast. Kid, there's no need to associate with us brothers; our surnames and names have nothing to do with you. If you know what's good for you, quickly surrender and stop tarnishing the reputation of your master, the great hero of the Two Lakes."

However, the frustrating incident occurred just like that. As the two beggars continued to count their strikes, reaching two hundred, three hundred, not a single blow managed to land on Cheng Chu Qiu. The two beggars grew increasingly anxious, and the circles of their staffs created a larger and larger wind. Suddenly, with a loud "bang," both beggars felt a jolt in their hands, as Cheng Chu Qiu somehow managed to bring their two bamboo staffs to collide. With their martial arts skills being comparable and their strength equally fierce, this mutual strike caused the tips of the two bamboo staffs to splinter, resulting in mutual injury. Suddenly, with a loud "bang," both beggars felt a jolt in their hands, as Cheng Chu Qiu somehow managed to bring their two bamboo staffs to collide. With their martial arts skills being comparable and their strength equally fierce, this mutual strike caused the tips of the two bamboo staffs to splinter, resulting in mutual injury.

Cheng Chuqiu also met the attack with both palms. Just as their fists and palms were about to make contact, Cheng Chuqiu felt a lightness in his left palm, and the internal energy in front of him vanished without a trace. It turned out that Hao Biao had taken a bold risk, abandoning the palm strike to his opponent and instead curving his right fist to directly target Cheng Chuqiu's lower abdomen

Looking to the other side, one can see that there are a total of four people on this side. With a greater number of individuals, they originally held the advantage, and now that the opposing side has lost two members, it is naturally even less regarded.

Cheng Chuqiu thought to himself: "You are not young anymore, yet your temperament is even more impatient than that of the young." He slightly turned his body, and suddenly extended his left palm forward. With a sharp "bang," he struck Hao Biao on the right shoulder. Hao Biao's two punches missed entirely, but with unyielding momentum, he leaned forward and fell down.

It was not until Chai Yunlong's disciple, the martial arts prodigy Cheng Chuqiu, emerged that the Yunxiao Sect began to gradually come into prominence. However, Cheng Chuqiu was still quite young, and for several years, his activities were limited to the regions of Hunan and Jiangxi, with his interactions confined to local sects, leaving him with few opportunities to engage with the renowned orthodox sects of the Central Plains.

The four of them, as a group, had no reason to let him slip away so easily. Two turned their horses around, while the other two simply turned back. All four simultaneously let out a low exclamation. Cheng Chuqiu only heard a series of metallic clashing sounds, "ding ding dang dang," as four dark figures descended upon him from four directions.

Cheng Chuqiu caught it and directly put it into his pocket. The man said, "Brother, let's make a deal. This item is hard to come by; can you leave some for me?" Cheng Chuqiu replied, "Why don't you tell me how I can obtain this bottle of medicine, and I will return it to you."

The person, upon hearing this overwhelming force, was evidently quite surprised and retreated in a panic. Cheng Chuqiu stepped forward a couple of paces, placing himself between him and Miss Xu. Upon getting a clear look at his face, it turned out to be the same individual who had been discussing plans for flower picking with his friends at the banquet that evening

Yet at this moment, he felt that although the world was vast, there was no place for him to take refuge; despite having mingled with people from all corners of the earth, they all departed from him overnight

Little did he know that at this moment, Cheng Chuqiu was also exerting force to pull him down from the horse. The rider felt an immense strength from the opponent, and his hand trembled, nearly losing grip on the whip. However, being in a superior position and with the horse as his support, how could he afford to lose face? He grasped the reins with his left hand, urging the horse beneath him to continue retreating, while his right hand tightly held the whip, using all his strength to reclaim it.

Cheng Chuqiu thought to himself: "Alright, this is what you brought upon yourself." Seeing that his staff technique was becoming increasingly chaotic in his rage, he seized the opportunity and suddenly executed a move from the Seven Scatter Hands, "Hand to Capture." With a swift motion of his left hand, he grasped the end of the staff, then shouted loudly as he struck with his right palm. With a loud "crack," the bamboo staff snapped in two.

He thought, why not take a look at a few acquaintances and listen to some familiar voices?

As he walked, he pondered and suddenly noticed a small market ahead, so he went to find a place to rest. After hastily having breakfast and looking at some books, just as he was about to concentrate on his thoughts, he heard the sound of hooves approaching, and several horsemen rushed past him. Cheng Chuqiu looked up, and at that moment, the rider on the horse also cast his gaze towards him. Their eyes met, and the rider shouted loudly: "He is here, he is here!"

Once a person provides themselves with sufficient reasons, there is nothing that cannot be accomplished. Moreover, it is done in such a grandiose manner, with such a sense of justification.

Just as he was pondering, the two individuals suddenly flashed by, using some unknown method to silently open the door and directly intrude inside. Cheng Chuqiu quickly slid down from the tree, leaping twice to reach the window, and crept along the corner of the wall to the door. Just as he was about to peek inside to assess the situation, a figure suddenly darted out. It turned out to be one of the two who had suddenly leaped out and immediately turned back to close the door.

Naturally, no one believed them. However, one person stepped forward, holding a torch, and said: "As long as you are willing to surrender, we will investigate this matter thoroughly."

Cheng Chuqiu grabbed his collar and whispered in his ear, "Is it necessary to keep watch outside? I don't think so." With a swift motion of her right hand, she struck the back of his head, rendering him unconscious. At the same time, she took hold of his collar and gently laid him down on the ground. Stepping over his body, she pushed the door open and walked inside

Upon seeing this, Hao Biao thought to himself: "Goodness..." He also developed a desire to compete, and once again threw a punch. As their fists met for the second time, both stepped back a pace.

Cheng Chuqiu was so furious that smoke seemed to rise from her seven orifices. Not wanting to waste more words with him, she bluntly said, "What kind of drug did you give Miss Xu? Hand it over!" The man chuckled a few times, muttering to himself, "Stealing fragrance and jade is a refined pursuit; if one feels guilty at heart, how can one fully enjoy it?" He actually took on the air of a senior, lecturing Cheng Chuqiu. After rummaging through his pocket, he suddenly seemed to recall something, exclaiming in surprise, "You... how did you know?"

Cheng Chuqiu shouted, "Wait! Stop right there!" Upon hearing this, the person had no intention of stopping and ran away even faster without looking back. Cheng Chuqiu, filled with rage, took off in pursuit.

He unconsciously stopped in his tracks, standing on the bridge, lost in thought, dazed for a long, long time. For quite a while, he had a strong sense that he was already dead

Unexpectedly, the people outside arrived very quickly; in just a short while, they were already nearby. Cheng Chuqiu could hear footsteps all around her, and at this moment, it was too late to leave. She hurriedly rolled off the bed, crouched down, and crawled under the bed.

In the dim light, Cheng Chuqiu saw a bare-chested man kneeling on the bed, beside him lay a woman with her upper body exposed, twisting and rolling on the bed, mumbling incoherently. Her long hair spread across the pillow and her arms, accentuating her delicate, fair skin, which glimmered faintly like white jade in the darkness

The crowd shouted in unison and hurriedly pursued. Cheng Chuqiu was solely focused on leaving this place of strife, not out of a desire to show off; his frantic run was almost without a pause. As he heard the curses of the pursuers fading further behind him, a few arrows, knowing they were futile, were shot but fell to the ground just two or three feet behind him, their distance increasing with each moment.

Cheng Chuqiu let out a "hum" and turned his head, only to see another person on horseback standing nearby. This was the companion of the person he had first targeted. When the other four had just made their move, he had merely watched from the sidelines, originally hoping to benefit from the conflict between the clam and the snipe. However, it now appeared that the situation was entirely different, leaving him at a loss for what to do, standing frozen in place.

Cheng Chuqiu did not recognize this person and thought to himself, "This person is exceedingly rude." He then saw several horses that had just galloped past suddenly rein in and turn around, coming up to Cheng Chuqiu. One of them shouted, "He was discovered by us first; he belongs to us!" Another person retorted, "Enough with the nonsense; everyone relies on their own abilities. If merely seeing counts, then I have seen your mother and your wife; how does that count?" The first person became furious and began to curse loudly, while the second person was equally unyielding, resulting in a chaotic scene. If merely seeing counts, then I have seen your mother and your wife; how does that count? The first person became furious and began to curse loudly, while the second person was equally unyielding, resulting in a chaotic scene.

Just as I settled in, voices sounded from outside the door, followed by a series of urgent knocks. At the same time, someone shouted: "Good daughter, good daughter..."

Sure enough, not long after, the footsteps arrived at the porch in front of Cheng Chuqiu's tree house and quietly stopped. Peering out, he saw two figures by the window and door, sneaking around and looking about. Were they not the same two people who had been whispering in the hall earlier?

Cheng Chuqiu, upon hearing this, recalled the tragic death of Yao Ji, and his heart shuddered. He then heard the person continue: "Although our methods may seem somewhat underhanded, we are indeed the most compassionate towards delicate women, and have never harmed any young lady. If you are not accustomed to having someone nearby, I can leave and guarantee not to disturb you. But do not waste such a precious opportunity, for that would invite divine retribution."

The person who spoke earlier was clearly displeased and coldly said: "The lord has issued an order; if the lewd thief insists on resisting, he shall be killed on the spot. Come, seize him!" The crowd responded to the command and surrounded him.

Cheng Chuqiu went from grappling with the opponent to flipping over and mounting his horse, pulling the person down, and finally galloping away, all in the blink of an eye. His movements were clean and swift, without any hesitation. By the time the group of horsemen nearby realized what had happened, one horse was already dragging one person far away. At that moment, one rider spurred his horse and set off in pursuit of the person who had been toyed with by Cheng Chuqiu, racing away.

Still running as if being chased, Cheng Chuqiu, however, felt differently this time. Soon, the voices behind him grew fainter, and overwhelmed with mixed emotions, he gradually slowed his pace. Having not slept all night, coupled with his unstable feelings, he felt particularly exhausted both physically and mentally. He forced himself to run a few more miles before finally finding a small temple. Without making a sound, he sneaked into the backyard, slipped into the rear hall, climbed up the beams, and rested on the rafters.

I only heard someone inside whispering, "What are you doing here again? Didn't we agree to take turns..." Suddenly, sensing something was amiss, they abruptly fell silent

Cheng Chuqiu lightly tapped with his toes, noticing that she remained completely still, uncertain of her life or death. He thought: it is not the time to investigate this matter; it is more urgent to inquire about the source of the spring medicine. Suddenly, a gust of wind rushed past his ear, and a dark shadow descended upon him. Unaware of the situation, he quickly pushed off with his toes and retreated swiftly.

At the age of twenty-five or twenty-six, Cheng Chuqiu was in the prime of his youth, full of vigor. When a beautiful young girl, standing gracefully and completely naked, approached him with all her charms, how could he possibly resist? Moreover, he had always considered himself a man of integrity, and his heart was already taken. In his eyes, no woman could compare to his childhood sweetheart, the deeply beloved Chai Wenjun.

Cheng Chuqiu spat and said: "You have been committing all sorts of misdeeds and running rampant everywhere. I, with the surname Cheng, have long wanted to find you. However, since you are merely small fry, I have more important matters to attend to, which is why I let you live a few more days. I didn't expect that instead of me looking for you, you would come knocking on my door. That's fine; it saves me a trip to Evil Tiger Ditch."

The two parties, unable to come to an agreement, began to hurl insults at each other. Cheng Chuqiu, feeling impatient, said: "You have mistaken the person, step aside, or do not blame me for being rude." With that, she squeezed into the gap between the horses.

Cheng Chuqiang was both startled and furious, still undecided whether to rush out. Suddenly, with two whistling sounds, arrows were shot into the room, and two feathered arrows whizzed past him.

The four men were furious and said, "You little brat, you have quite the audacity!" Each of them swung their iron chains again, aiming to cover his head. Cheng Chuqiu, knowing the identities of these four, was even less courteous. Surrounded by them, he soared high and darted low, deftly maneuvering left and right with ease. The four were astonished, exerting more force as they swung their chains faster. The chains intertwined in mid-air, continuously clashing and producing a piercing clanging sound, creating an impressive spectacle

Cheng Chuqiu focused his gaze and realized it was a blanket. He thought to himself, "This is bad..." Sure enough, he saw a figure taking advantage of the cover of the blanket over his head, hurriedly darting towards the window.

Cheng Chuqiu, with this sudden strike, took the initiative and succeeded, surprising even himself. It seems that if Hao Biao had not been so impatient and eager for achievement, it would not have been so easy to succeed. Cheng Chuqiu was aware that he had exerted considerable force in this strike, injuring the elder of the Beggar's Sect, which was certainly not his intention. He stepped forward two paces and asked with concern, "Elder Hao, are you alright?" He reached out to offer support.

Cheng Chuqiu listened intently to the sounds around him, and after a while, confirming that there was no longer a single sound, he finally crawled out from under the bed. He did not dare to delay any longer, darting to the door and opening a small crack to look outside. He saw that there was no one around; if he did not leave now, when would he? So he stepped out the door

Suddenly, with a "thud," Miss Xu rolled off the bed and hugged Cheng Chuqiu's leg from behind. She said, "I... I feel so hot... so hot... save me... oh... save me..." Her upper body kept rubbing against his leg.

The person stood rigidly, afraid to move. Cheng Chuqiu stepped forward slowly, and suddenly stumbled, looking down to find that it was the maidservant who attended to her, face down, lying on the ground

Then another person rushed over from the side, swinging a staff to block the way, and shouted: "Get out of the way! You have even harmed your own master; I should not have harbored any illusions about you." Cheng Chuqiu discerned the meaning behind his words and couldn't help but be taken aback, feeling a pang of bitterness in his heart, which was quite unpleasant.

Several horsemen chuckled coldly, and one of them said, "Do you really not understand? Or are you just pretending to be confused? Your secret has been exposed! For the sake of money, we brothers would like to invite you for a drink, to get a little closer. " Another, showing displeasure, replied, "You want to drink and get close? He just hurt my brother, and I haven't settled that score yet."

Cheng Chuqiu was taken aback; he had no intention of striking a vital point, but the young lady of the Xu family clung to him, causing him to momentarily lose his aim. Just as he intended to move forward to check, the young lady of the Xu family, drawing on an unknown source of strength, exerted herself to embrace him from behind, wrapping her arms around his neck

Not yet able to discern who the other party is, two bamboo staffs, one on the left and one on the right, have already made contact. Cheng Chuqiu noticed the clever positioning of the staff tips, and let out a soft gasp, stepping aside. The two bamboo staffs did not relent, switching places; one was angled directly at his right shoulder, while the other traced half a circle to directly jab at his left side. The timing and positioning were flawlessly coordinated, truly the work of a master.

The thin beggar, filled with rage, exclaimed, "How dare you still have the leisure to toy with me?" He thrust his bamboo staff forward, aiming directly at his chest. Although Cheng Chuqiu mocked him, he did not wish to truly engage in conflict with the beggar clan, so he sidestepped and retreated. The thin beggar, even angrier, shouted, "Do you not wish to fight me?" He swung his bamboo staff, creating a swirling shadow of the staff that instantly enveloped him completely.

As for the so-called "drawing the sword to help", whether what Cheng Chuqiu drew at this moment was a sword was no longer his concern. He embraced Miss Xu tightly and began to grope and squeeze her all over.

The person who had just spoken and urged everyone to step forward and subdue him spoke again: "Brothers, listen to me, let’s all go together!" As he said this, he moved forward. The crowd responded in unison and surrounded him. The man surnamed Sun, however, took care of Hao Biao by himself and said nothing.

Alone once again, traveling in the dark, yet at the age of fifteen, he at least knew that even if he ultimately met with misfortune and perished, he would not be alone.

Cheng Chuqiu, in a fit of anger, did not relent and rushed forward a few steps, throwing the iron chain in his hand. With two loud cries, the man on the left had the chain wrapped around his neck, coiling several times, while the hooked blade of the sickle pierced into his right shoulder; the man on the right was ensnared by the chain around his waist, and the spiked wolf fang struck his back.

Cheng Chuqiu noticed him inhaling and immediately sensed something was amiss. He raised his right arm, intending to press down on him. The man, already aware that he would take action, crouched down and dodged to the other side

Cheng Chuqiu clapped his palms together, neutralizing the attacks one by one, and only then did he see that they were actually two disheveled beggars, their clothes riddled with countless patches, and each of them carrying several bags on their backs

The two individuals were almost simultaneously struck, their injuries neither severe nor light. Ignoring their companion, they took the opportunity to charge forward and fled in a panic

Cheng Chuqiu was extremely agitated and completely unprepared. When Miss Xu embraced him, it felt as if she had hung all her strength around his neck and forcefully pulled him backward. Cheng Chuqiu lost his balance and fell backward, inadvertently pinning Miss Xu beneath him.

Cheng Chuqiu felt an inexplicable sadness in his heart and was unwilling to continue fighting with the disciples of the Beggar's Sect. He feigned a few moves, let out a long sigh, and seized the opportunity to break through the crowd, fleeing at full speed. The beggars called to one another and pursued him relentlessly

However, although he fell from the horse, his left foot was still caught in the stirrup, resulting in a chaotic tumble with both man and horse on the ground, a truly embarrassing situation. Nevertheless, this group of individuals usually relied on horses for transportation and were quite skilled in horsemanship, so falling from a horse was not a significant challenge for them. Just as he straightened his back, intending to remount, Cheng Chuqiu, quicker to react, snatched the whip from his hand and with a sharp "crack," struck the horse's hindquarters forcefully.

During the period of avoiding the limelight, it is advisable to keep a low profile in all matters. Thanks to the grace of Bai Tianjingrong, he is now always prepared with a few projectiles on his person, just in case. At this moment, seeing that person about to escape, he reached out and threw them with force. With two loud "bangs," two projectiles intercepted him; one shattered the window paper and flew out, while the other struck the wall, creating a hole.

The remaining horsemen surrounded him and said, "You little brat, how dare you act fierce!" Cheng Chuqiu replied, "I do not know any of you. If no one provokes me, I will not provoke anyone. I wonder why you are blocking my way?"

The dead man can no longer speak. Cheng Chuqiu recalled that there was still one lying outside the door, only returning the dagger, while putting the rest of the items into his own pockets, he swiftly exited the door.

The person by the bedside continued: "Tonight, we will strengthen the night watch. No matter who we catch, bring them to me first." The deep voice replied: "Understood"

The horseman urged his horse forward and said, "I am talking about you." With a flick of his whip, he aimed it at the man's head. Cheng Chuqiu tilted his head to the side and swiftly reached out to grab the whip's end. The horseman, furious, shouted, "You little brat, seeking death!" He redirected the whip's end towards Cheng's hand.

Cheng Chuqiu smiled wryly and said, "Since you insist that I am worse than a beast, may I ask how someone who is worse than a beast can recognize the situation? How can I avoid slandering my master?"

Cheng Chuqiu had always harbored a doubt in his heart, feeling that they had most likely mistaken him for someone else. However, at this moment, upon hearing the words "Cheng Daxia" come from his lips, he felt a jolt in his heart. He suddenly stepped forward and grabbed his chest, demanding, "How do you know who I am? Speak!"

However, ever since he experienced the gentle warmth of a woman with Yao Ji on two occasions, he, like a fly that has first tasted honey, could not forget that flavor no matter what. In ordinary times, he could restrain his desires with reason and propriety, but now there was a beautiful woman in his arms, especially since she had entangled herself with him. With a piece of succulent meat stuffed into his mouth, how could he possibly think of spitting it out

As their palms met with a resounding "thud," both individuals staggered slightly. Cheng Chuqiu had always been confident in his internal strength, and this outcome only bolstered his self-assurance. In the brief moment of breath, he was already prepared, and his second palm struck forward once more.

Cheng Chuqiu pressed for answers while vigorously shaking his body. However, his head swayed left and right as if it were not secured, and upon checking his breath, it became clear that he had already succumbed.

Cheng Chuqiu was unwilling to entangle himself further with these individuals and did not wish to provoke any more trouble. With a couple of chuckles, he suddenly charged forward. His movements were both urgent and swift; those present only felt a flash before he was right in front of them. Startled, they instinctively took a few steps back. Seizing this moment of surprise, he maneuvered through the crowd, dashed to the wall, leaped up, and vaulted over it.

These individuals were all mounted on horseback, and the passengers on the horses were arguing. The horses beneath them were crowded together, all becoming restless and agitated. Not only was dust flying as the hooves struck the ground, but there was also a risk of trampling people. Consequently, pedestrians frowned and sought to avoid the scene, and Cheng Chuqiu also rose to leave.

Then someone said, "My lord..." After a pause, with a loud "bang," the door was slammed open. Cheng Chuqiu saw the room suddenly brightened as several people entered, holding torches.

Cheng Chuqiu looked at the announcement and realized that, regardless of the circumstances, the charges of betraying his teacher and killing his master had already been placed upon him. As he watched the days pass by, he found himself unable to find a place to hide and wait for a better time, nor could he uncover any clues related to the case. He had no confidence that one day his grievances would be redressed and the truth revealed. If things continued this way, he might have to live in hiding, leading a life on the run.

The voices of outsiders shouted again: "You inside, lecher, listen up. You are completely surrounded by us; even if you had wings, you could not fly away. If you do not show yourself soon, I will order the arrows to be released, and you will experience the feeling of being pierced by a thousand arrows." Cheng Chuqiu knew he was in a place of conflict, and avoiding suspicion was difficult. However, misfortune did not come alone; he had suffered a series of unjust grievances, leaving him both angry and nauseated. Seeing that a fight was inevitable, he thought to himself: "Very well!" and pushed the door open.

Cheng Chuqiu took advantage of the moment when the two were momentarily stunned, leaping backward and saying, "Excuse me! Excuse me!" intending to put an end to the fight with the two.

After completing the ritual at the Five Organs Temple, Cheng Chuqiu placed the money on the offering table. Taking advantage of the cover of night, he oriented himself and changed direction to head northwest. His hometown, Taohua Village, was located approximately a hundred miles in that direction. Although his parents had passed away when he was young, he still had a maternal grandmother and several uncles and aunts living there. Of course, it is possible that someone had already guessed he would return; perhaps someone was waiting there, hoping to catch a glimpse of him as he stepped back into his homeland. Even if he did not visit them, it would still be good to see them from a distance. Of course, it is possible that someone had already guessed he would return; perhaps someone was waiting there, hoping to catch a glimpse of him as he stepped back into his homeland. Even if he did not visit them, it would still be good to see them from a distance

Cheng Chuqiu saw that the staff technique was fierce and thought to himself: "I have long heard of the Dog-Beating Stick; could this be it?" Upon thinking of this, his blood surged with excitement, and he said: "I, as a junior, do not dare."

The destruction of his weapon was regarded by the thin beggar, Hao Biao, as a great humiliation. He threw away the half-bamboo staff in his hand and threw a punch directly at Cheng Chuqiu's face

Cheng Chuqiu angrily said: "What nonsense are you talking about!" The man sneered and replied: "If you are not planning to drive me away first, and then take my place to reap the benefits... heh heh, otherwise, why would you lower your voice when speaking? Are you afraid that others will ruin your good fortune?

In the room of a young lady with yellow flowers, a man was lying down. If this were to get out, it would be a serious matter. Especially since the noise made by the crowd was so loud, it was even more peculiar that Miss Xu did not react at all. Then a deep voice said: "Alright, two people come and carry this maid out, and the rest of you who have nothing to do should also follow out. This thief should not have run far; keep your eyes wide open and search carefully, leaving no place unchecked."

Cheng Chuqiu felt that Miss Xu was burning with fever, and thought to himself: "The person just now said that if I do not help her, she might die from a rupture of her blood vessels." He then thought: "This medicine was not administered by me; I merely acted out of a sense of justice, drawing my sword to assist her."

At that time, Chai Yundong assessed that the risk of the operation was low, which is why he brought only his youngest disciple along. Unexpectedly, his friend's enemies had learned of their plans in advance and ambushed the two of them on the way. Fearing that the adversaries would employ the same tactics against other friends who were coming to assist, Chai Yundong decided to confront the bandits alone. He secretly handed his disciple a token and instructed him to ride swiftly to Dangyang to warn his friends as quickly as possible. Chai Yundong feared that the adversaries would use the same method against other friends who were coming to assist, so he confronted the bandits alone, secretly giving his disciple a token and urging him to ride swiftly to Dangyang to warn his friends.

Since Cheng Chuqiu became skilled in his art, he had never felt so embarrassed. He hurriedly got up, and his first thought was to help Miss Xu. However, the effects of the medicine had already dulled Miss Xu's sense of pain; when Cheng Chuqiu approached to assist her, it was exactly what she wanted. She wrapped her arms tightly around his waist, her face pressing against his chest, and her breathing became increasingly rapid.

At that time, he was helpless and fearful, his body and mind tormented, yet no matter how much he suffered then, it was nothing compared to the suffering he endures now

The thin beggar, still seething with anger, said, "That would be best." The two engaged in a rapid exchange, and before long, they had exchanged dozens of moves, yet it was difficult to determine a clear victor. However, one was unarmed while the other wielded a bamboo stick, making the disparity evident. Another beggar, witnessing this, said, "I will assist you," and swung the bamboo staff to strike.

At first, the two beggars held back, unaware of Cheng Chuqiu's true capabilities, leaving some room for leniency. However, now that both sides are officially engaged, the opponent is not only a younger individual, at least twenty years their junior, but also facing two adversaries alone. If he were to withstand hundreds of moves from the two of them, what face would they have left? It is simply unthinkable that they would show any mercy.

Cheng Chuqiu could not help but curse inwardly: "How unreasonable." She reached out and directly groped in his embrace, feeling around for a long time, only to find a rough knife, a piece of tattered cloth wrapped around several broken silver coins and copper coins, and a small bamboo slip with tiny characters written on it.

The martial arts skills of Cheng Chuqiu are undoubtedly far superior to his, and with such a peculiar and agile movement, how could he possibly evade? However, ever since the young lady of the Xu family clung to Cheng Chuqiu's thigh, she refused to let go no matter what. Cheng Chuqiu's movements were restricted, and not only did he fail to strike him, but he also nearly stumbled.

This inference had long been considered by Cheng Chuqiu. However, he was originally confused by the situation; now he has gradually been able to extricate himself from it and can view the matter with increasing calmness. The connections in his mind are emerging one by one, and the truth is beginning to take shape in his consciousness

Cheng Chuqiu laughed heartily, took a small step, and used the force of his movement to swiftly leap towards the passenger on the horse. The horse rider suddenly felt a loosening in his grip; before he could even rejoice in his victory, he saw Cheng Chuqiu gracefully flip over his head, landing behind him. With a powerful tug, he combined his strength with the force the rider had just exerted to reclaim his position, sending the rider's rear off the saddle and crashing to the ground.

Cheng Chuqiu looked out from under the bed and could only see a few pairs of feet walking back and forth in the room. Then someone said, "Oh? There's a person lying here?" "There's also a maid here..."

Upon seeing this, Cheng Chuqiu thought of a few names and coldly laughed, "I wondered who it was; it turns out to be the four big pests from Ehu Gou." One of them, upon hearing this, felt quite pleased and said, "Since you know the background of us brothers, why not obediently surrender and let us go claim our reward."

The thin beggar angrily exclaimed: "I, Hao Biao, have despised evil throughout my life, yet in the end, I am actually respected by a lecherous scoundrel. This truly infuriates me, it infuriates me..." As he spoke the words "it infuriates me," he swung his bamboo staff and continued to strike, as if he were venting his grievances and emotions.

Although Cheng Chuqiu was wearing pants and there was a layer of clothing in between, he could still feel Miss Xu's softness, which made him unconsciously halt the action he initially intended to kick away. The person observing this swallowed hard and said: "Brother, do you want to proceed? Look, Miss Xu can hardly bear it any longer. If you don't give it to her soon, she will die from her blood vessels bursting, bleeding from all seven orifices..."

Cheng Chuqiu shook his head and said, "I have matters to attend to, and I fear I won't have the time to delay." Among the crowd, someone snickered, and another remarked, "With death looming, there is still the mood to jest"

When he appeared outdoors, everyone fell silent. Cheng Chuqiu said: "Whether you believe it or not, Miss Xu's death has nothing to do with me. The real murderer has already been killed by me, and the person you just carried out is him."

Cheng Chuqiu took advantage of his turning around and concealed himself behind him. When the man turned, he suddenly found someone standing just a foot away in front of him. This shock was not trivial; his mouth opened as if to scream. Cheng Chuqiu swiftly extended his right hand, striking his mute acupoint, while simultaneously pressing his left palm over the man's mouth to stifle any sound, moving with the speed of lightning, leaving the man unable to utter a single sound.

The thin beggar, unable to contain his anger, shouted: "What do you mean by yielding? If I were to truly yield to you, this lecher, wouldn't I be no different from you?" At this moment, Cheng Chuqiu could no longer restrain his temper and said: "I respect both of you as seniors in the martial arts world and have been yielding at every turn, but seniors should not take advantage of this too much!"

Yunxiao Mountain is located in a corner of Hunan, and the Yunxiao Sect can only be considered a third-rate sect in the martial arts world. In recent years, Chai Yunlong has worked hard to establish a chivalrous image, which has yielded some results, yet he still finds it difficult to gain widespread recognition. Everyone respects Chai Yunlong, referring to him as the great hero of the Two Lakes, primarily out of respect for his character and conduct rather than his martial achievements

Cheng Chuqiu grew increasingly astonished, thinking to himself: "Two thousand taels... two thousand taels..." He only knew that last time, Tian Jingrong and Niu Junfu pursued him for one thousand taels, but he was unaware that the local gentry of Yichun County, along with the county office and several friendly sects of the Jianghu led by Chai Yunlong, had jointly raised another one thousand taels of silver to eliminate this villain who was a menace to the local community.

This statement could not be clearer, and everyone responded in agreement, gradually exiting the room. The light in the room dimmed, leaving only two people inside, one of whom was by the bedside

Cheng Chuqiu said: "Senior Sun, I assure you that I did not intend to harm Senior Hao. I..." As he pondered, he realized that this matter was indeed difficult to explain. Reflecting on the injustices he had faced in recent days, he found himself at a loss for words.

He began practicing martial arts at the age of nine and became a disciple under Chai Yunlong at the age of twelve. Over the past fifteen years, he has undertaken countless tasks assigned by his master alone. The most memorable experience was in the third year after joining, when he was only about fifteen years old, and accompanied his master to Tongbai Mountain to assist an old friend of his master's in a fight.

Suddenly, the cacophony of sounds came to an abrupt halt, as Cheng Chuqiu seized the chain of the four individuals with one hand. The four were taken aback and scattered in four directions on their horses. Cheng Chuqiu shouted fiercely, causing two of them to be thrown off their horses, while the other two, sensing the danger, clamped their legs together and spurred their horses to abandon the chain and flee.

Now before us lies a rare opportunity. The Beggar's Sect has members spread across the vast expanse of the south and north of the Yangtze River, claiming to be the largest sect in the martial world, and is indeed a first-rate organization. The sect is filled with talented individuals, with hidden dragons and crouching tigers, which goes without saying. Cheng Chuqiu only knows that in the Hunan and Jiangxi regions, he can hardly find an opponent. At this moment, besides being unable to swallow his pride, he also has a strong desire to prove his true strength. When he saw Hao Biao's punch coming, he did not evade; instead, he took a deep breath and countered with a palm strike.

At that moment, voices arose from all directions, saying: "Master Sun, what kind of chivalry is there to discuss with such a person? Compassion and kindness? Let the disciples take him down and send him to the authorities for punishment?" Cheng Chuqiu looked around and saw a dozen beggars, some old, some young, some tall, some short, all holding bamboo sticks, surrounding him completely. It turned out that he had already caught the attention of the beggars. This person named Sun, along with Hao Biao, did not wish to take advantage of the situation, which is why they stepped forward. He saw a dozen beggars, some old, some young, some tall, some short, all holding bamboo sticks, surrounding him completely. It turned out that he had already caught the attention of the beggars. This person named Sun, along with Hao Biao, did not wish to take advantage of the situation, which is why they stepped forward.

On the night before arriving in Dangyang, Cheng Chuqiu nearly died on the road, yet he knew that even in death, he must complete the task entrusted to him by his master. As he hurried through the night, his wound became inflamed, and his forehead burned like red-hot charcoal. When he crossed the Dangyang Bridge, dark clouds suddenly obscured the moon, and the surroundings were instantly engulfed in pitch darkness, with no insects chirping and no frogs croaking, creating an eerie silence.

Before even stepping out the door, Cheng Chuqiu already sensed something was amiss. He hurriedly took two steps at a time and rushed out. Sure enough, the person who should have been lying outside was nowhere to be seen. He reflected that he had struck quite hard, and even if that person could leave on their own, it would be impossible for them not to alert him. He thought to himself: "Could it be that he took advantage of my momentary confusion..."

Therefore, the two individuals in the room were clearly pretending not to know, with the primary objective being to lure him out. Cheng Chuqiu was uncertain whether his hiding under the bed had been discovered, but it was evident that the situation was dire. He had not yet decided whether to exit through the front door or jump out of the window when he found himself surrounded.

As the sky gradually brightened, he slowed his pace, feeling increasingly uneasy. The death of Yao Ji was undoubtedly unrelated to him, and no matter how drunk he became, it was impossible for him to have exchanged blows with his master twice and ultimately killed someone without realizing it. When it comes down to it, there is only one reason: he had been framed by someone.

Cheng Chuqiu kissed her so passionately that her face was covered in saliva. While dodging, he said, "Xu... Xu Miss, please calm down..." The young lady of the Xu family replied, "Hmm... What..." burying her head in his neck, her mouth too busy to respond.

Cheng Chuqiu felt increasingly nauseated, and in a fit of anger, he tore the notice into shreds. Suddenly recalling something, he intended to find the only remaining horseman, but as he looked around, he spotted his silhouette in the distance at the street corner. In order to escape, he had even abandoned his horse.

The horse, in pain and startled, neighed once, raised its front legs, and with a kick of its hind legs, bolted forward in a panic. The rider, unable to regain his seat in that instant, feared that if the horse continued to run wildly like this, he might be dragged to death without a chance to escape. Hearing the rider's frantic shouts, filled with both fear and anger, he cursed and yelled: "Beast! Stop right now! If you don't stop, damn it, I'll slaughter you... Oh, damn it, beast, you kicked me..." The voice grew fainter as it receded.

Cheng Chuqiu said, "Since you do not dare, why are you sitting on your horse and speaking to me?" Upon hearing this, the man realized he was definitely not a match for him, and could only awkwardly touch his nose before dismounting.

Cheng Chuqiu felt an overwhelming sense of loneliness, and her longing for home grew more intense, prompting her to quicken her pace

The other two ferocious beasts from the Evil Tiger Gorge, seeing his formidable presence and realizing that their companion had already fled, had no reason to hesitate. They immediately abandoned their mounts and scattered in different directions, soon disappearing into the streets, their whereabouts unknown

At that moment, someone suddenly shouted from behind: "Bold lecher, do you still want to show off your strength?" Upon hearing someone call him a "lecher" again, Cheng Chuqiu was instantly filled with rage. He turned around, extended his hand to grab, and angrily said: "Who is talking nonsense over there?"

Cheng Chuqiu, upon hearing the sound of the air being sliced, thought to himself: "Goodness..." He lowered his head, dodged, moved left, and avoided right, evading the attacks of the four dark figures one by one. Upon closer inspection, he realized that these four individuals were wielding four iron chains, swinging them back and forth incessantly. The ends of the four chains were of various shapes: there were square weights, spherical copper hammers, spiked wolf teeth, and large sickles shaped like crescent moons.

The person reached into his pocket and pulled out a crumpled piece of paper that had been folded several times. Cheng Chuqiu took it, threw it to the ground, and casually spread it out. With a rustling sound, the paper unfolded, revealing a portrait of a person. Although the strokes were simple, with just a few lines, it captured Cheng Chuqiu's essence remarkably well.

Cheng Chuqiu felt a chill in his heart: "Are they from the Beggar's Sect?" For a moment, he did not have the time to count how many bags they each carried, but he knew that the Beggar's Sect was renowned for its chivalry. The situation was vastly different from dealing with the previous few horsemen, or even with Tian Jingrong and Niu Junfu. He took a few steps back, cupped his hands, and bowed, saying: "I have long admired the chivalry of the Beggar's Sect. May I ask how to address you two?"

At that time, Cheng Chuqiu discovered that Miss Xu was bleeding from her nostrils, and upon observing her complexion, he realized that she had already succumbed. When a group of people rushed into the room, perhaps no one noticed at that moment, but the last two individuals to leave the room lingered for quite a while, making it impossible for them not to have noticed.

He had one experience before, and this time he was more precise, each move striking at the vital points. The young lady of the Xu family could not withstand it, continuously moaning and writhing. After a while, the two gradually entered a state of oblivion, unaware of the evening. Suddenly, the young lady of the Xu family exclaimed, "Oh!" and called out.

Cheng Chuqiu was startled and quickly sprang away from her. However, he saw that the young lady of the Xu family was still lying on the ground, continuously writhing her body. Everything seemed normal, yet at that moment, his reason resurfaced, and a voice in his mind kept saying: "Cheng Chuqiu, Cheng Chuqiu, you are taking advantage of someone else's misfortune; you are simply inhumane"

When that person saw him raise his arm, he knew he was about to take action and quickly shrank back. However, what kind of person was Cheng Chuqiu? This retreat was almost of no use at all; with a tight grip on the collar, he was firmly caught by Cheng Chuqiu.

Cheng Chuqiu was furious and shouted, "Damn it, how can someone like you even know what it means to cherish beauty and be considerate? What kind of divine punishment is this!" The other person, seeing him suddenly enraged, also became angry and said, "You really don't know what's good for you. I've given you everything; what more do you want? At worst, we can just glare at each other and stop playing altogether!" Taking a deep breath, he opened his mouth and shouted, "Hey..."

Now, with his skills, there are very few in the world who can harm him with a real blade or a genuine gun. His master has passed away, and there is no one left in this world who can control him. He can go wherever he pleases, and in theory, he should be free and very happy.

The fierce bullies of these evil alleys have always been notorious for their misdeeds. Just by observing them galloping recklessly through the streets, one can catch a glimpse of their nature. At this moment, they have been thoroughly beaten by Cheng Chuqiu, and although the onlookers are unaware of the reasons behind it, some have already begun to cheer softly.

Cheng Chuqiu said: "If you want others not to know, you must do nothing." This is tantamount to saying nothing at all. However, that person, believing himself not to be the opponent, hesitated for a moment but still threw the porcelain vase over.

The man laughed heartily and walked further towards the door. Cheng Chuqiu had already startled the snake in the grass; if he let him leave just like that, in the vast sea of people, where would he find him again? In a moment of panic, he took out a pellet and shot it. The man thought that Cheng Chuqiu was also a flower thief; as long as he let the person go, there should be no problem, completely unaware of the seriousness of the matter. Caught off guard, with a "puff," the pellet struck directly at his back, and he fell forward in response.

Cheng Chuqiu fixed his gaze on him and said, "Do we know each other? Why is it that as soon as you passed by on the road, you recognized who I am?" The man replied, "Hero Cheng's reputation is widely known; this, heh heh... is something that everyone knows and is aware of..."

The man whispered, "Who are you, sir?" Cheng Chuqiu replied, "That is something you do not need to know. Tell me, why are you on Miss Xu's bed?" The man chuckled twice and said, "So it turns out you are also a connoisseur of this path. Let us be friends; it is only fair to let you have the first turn, what harm is there in that?"

Cheng Chuqiu said, "What about you? Do you still want to capture me for the reward?" The person awkwardly smiled and replied, "Well... heh heh... I wouldn't dare... I wouldn't dare..."

Cheng Chuqiu leaped forward and rushed to the door. At that moment, a great fire blazed outside, and someone shouted: "Bold lecherous thief, why do you not come out and face your death!"

This was Cheng Chuqiu's first time venturing alone into the martial world. The situation was dire, and his master had not instructed him on many matters. He was even unaware of the route to Dangyang, and fear was inevitable. As a result, he took a longer, unnecessary detour, which led to him being caught up by the pursuing bandits. Fortunately, seeing his young age, they only sent two men to chase him. This was the first time Cheng Chuqiu engaged in a real fight after training in martial arts, and he performed decently. The two bandits lost their lives, while he sustained a wound from one of their blades at his waist.

A deep voice just said: "Sir, would you like me to find a doctor for the young lady?" The person by the bed replied: "It's fine as long as there is no problem; I do not wish for this to become common knowledge throughout the city." The deep voice responded: "Understood"

Not long after, there was no sound behind him, indicating that he had left everyone far behind. However, Cheng Chuqiu felt no sense of pride; instead, he felt as if he had been a lost dog, running around anxiously for days without a moment's peace, utterly humiliated. Just ten days or half a month ago, he was the heir to the martial arts legacy of the Lianghu region, the newly appointed leader of the Yunxiao Sect. Wherever he went, people would call him "Hero Cheng" or "Master Cheng." Who could have imagined that a moment of indulgence would lead him to such a predicament? Just ten days or half a month ago, he was the heir to the martial arts legacy of the Lianghu region, the newly appointed leader of the Yunxiao Sect. Wherever he went, people would call him "Hero Cheng" or "Master Cheng." Who could have imagined that a moment of indulgence would lead him to such a predicament.

Everyone answered in the affirmative. That person then said: "Moreover, this individual on the ground has been wrapped in a burlap sack. It appears he was either thrown into the valley or buried in a hole. In any case, it should be done discreetly, and then this matter should be forgotten. After tomorrow, I do not wish to hear anyone mention the events of this evening again. Do you understand?"

Another beggar noticed that Hao Biao might not be a match, stepped forward, and whispered in his ear: "Alright, that's enough, don't push it like this." Hao Biao shoved him aside and said: "Get out of the way!" With a swift movement, he launched a dual punch, challenging Cheng Chuqiu three times.

The man chuckled foolishly a few times and said, "Brother, human greed is like a snake trying to swallow an elephant. Even if I really tell you, I'm afraid you won't have the fate to claim it." Cheng Chuqiu replied, "That's none of your concern; just go ahead and say it." The man scratched his head and hesitated, saying, "How should I put this?" Cheng Chuqiu said, "Just speak the truth; don't think about playing tricks."

The person was greatly alarmed, struggling repeatedly, only to receive an even tighter grip in response. Unable to help but turn red in the face, they stammered, "The notice has... has a portrait, and... it’s obvious at a glance..." Cheng Chuqiu's expression changed suddenly, and he angrily asked, "Notice? What notice?"

Cheng Chuqiu, a martial arts prodigy hailed as an extraordinary talent in recent years, possesses remarkable martial skills at a young age and is seen as a pillar of the future martial world. Just as his prospects appeared bright, he fell from grace.

One of the horsemen saw him and shouted, "Hey, kid, don’t run!" Cheng Chuqiu noticed that he was being pointed at with a whip, and realized that these people had indeed come for him. He could not help but feel a surge of anger and retorted, "Who are you calling a kid?"