Chapter Seven: The Twin Beauties of Dongting

Indeed, there was a woman already sitting in the room. Upon seeing the two enter, she immediately called out, "Xian'er, come, sit over here"

The man gently said: "Why are you still not asleep? Are you still worried about next month's tribute?"

The position of the leader is to be held by a woman, which is a significant event for the Dongting Gang. Naturally, there is considerable resistance. However, Bao Kexin's son, Bao Dan, was the first to express his support for this idea. As a result, those who backed Guo Jinhua's faction found it difficult to maintain their stance, and it became a natural progression for Madam Guo to ascend to the position of leader

Cheng Chuqiu, lost in thought, suddenly remembered Chai Wenjun. At this moment, perhaps she was on Yunxiao Mountain, leaning alone against the railing, secretly shedding tears while gazing at the moon. Cheng Chuqiu did not wish for her to be so sad for his sake, yet he also hoped that she still cared for him. However, if she had already forgotten him, that would also be a perfectly reasonable matter

Chief Steward Li: "I obey your command." Cheng Chuqiu felt a chill in her heart and thought, "What?"

After the new rain in the empty mountains, the weather turns to autumn in the evening. It has been three months since Cheng Chuqiu arrived on this island. Except for the first month when he was in a state of unconsciousness and unaware of his surroundings, during the past month, he has been helping daily in the office, copying and writing various documents. Whenever something happened in the storeroom, he also assisted in the transportation. As the days passed, he still had no opportunity to see the lady again.

Li Beier shot a glance at the two, her emotions inscrutable, and calmly said: "Please take a seat, both of you." Li Cheng and the other expressed their gratitude and sat down.

Of course, this incident has been nine years since it first occurred. Initially, it was recounted by the Li sisters, then passed through the mouths of those present, eventually reaching the ears of Chief Steward Li. It is uncertain how many hands it has passed through, and naturally, there will be some discrepancies with the actual situation. However, the gist is as follows: After Li Zhongxuan believed he had managed everything well, he returned to the convoy to instruct the coachmen to continue. Yet, the shadows surrounding him shifted, and only half of the crowd dispersed, while another group blocked the way.

After all, everyone around her currently believes that they are the ones who killed her father. One must ask, among all the children in the world, who would harbor thoughts of the murderer of their father? Who would love the murderer of their father?

Cheng Chuqiu could not help but be taken aback, thinking: "What? Could it be... could she be thinking..." Just as she opened her mouth to speak, Manager Li gestured for her to stop. Although he still spoke in a hushed tone, his voice was stern and commanding as he said: "I have said all I need to say. The reason I am telling you this today is because the lady's recent reaction towards you has been quite favorable. I want you to keep this in mind, as it will serve as a basis for your future discussions and actions. Once you step out of this door, I expect you to forget that I have shared this with you, and you are not to speak of it to anyone else. If I hear even a whisper of this information circulating outside, just see if I don't deal with you harshly!"

Chief Li said: "It is best that you have this understanding..." As he spoke, he stood up, walked to the window, and looked around for a moment. He then closed all the doors and windows, returned to his seat, and mysteriously leaned in to whisper in his ear: "The abilities of the two ladies are beyond question. What is most important is that they are both generous in their dealings with others, which is quite different from the former leader, Guo. Here, I believe everyone has almost forgotten what the former leader Guo looks like."

The groundwork has already been laid. Upon arriving at the designated open space, he began practicing the Cloud Sky Palm and the Seven Scatter Hands. He continued to adopt a gradual approach, tirelessly rehearsing again and again. Initially, he merely mimicked the form without internal strength, and then he incrementally added more energy.

However, the current situation and Li Beier's genuine emotions revealed to him that it was not the case. Cheng Chuqiu was greatly puzzled and lamented the unfortunate circumstances, feeling that she had willingly fallen from grace. Nevertheless, Li Beier's deep affection was also firmly rooted in his heart at that moment, and could not be erased

Only the maid named Xian'er could be heard saying: "Madam, are you alright?" (Cheng Chuqiu felt a shiver and thought: "Madam? Could she be..." ) The young woman rested her chin on her palm, her elbow propped on the table, eyes closed, and weakly replied: "I am fine..."

Lin Tie'er recounted these, embodying the sorrow of being a lowly laborer. Cheng Chuqiu, perceiving the sincerity in his words, suddenly understood why he cared for her so deeply. In his eyes, she too was part of this sorrowful group, wasn't she? Cheng Chuqiu felt a slight urge to smile, yet found herself unable to do so

The woman struggled to free her hand from his grasp. The man, clearly agitated, tightened his grip even more, and the situation grew tense. In desperation, the woman shouted: "Xian'er! Xian'er!"

Then, Manager Li, who oversees the entire Dongting Gang and its members, naturally possesses some experience. Although he cannot discern that Cheng Chuqiu is originally a martial arts master, he can perceive the sincerity in his words, which is quite different from before. He said: "Moreover, looking at the tattoo on your face, at best, you are merely a slave. If you wish to live more comfortably, keep your eyes open. As long as you follow my instructions, there will always be benefits for you; otherwise... hmph... I can elevate you, but I can also bring you down... If you wish to live more comfortably, keep your eyes open. As long as you follow my instructions, there will always be benefits for you; otherwise... hmph... I can elevate you, but I can also bring you down..."

The two had not yet spoken, when the maid first glanced at Cheng Chuqiu and said: "Last time I happened to be away and did not see him. Recently, I have been hearing people talk about him, and I initially did not quite believe it. I never expected him to truly be handsome and elegant, with an extraordinary demeanor. If I had not seen such a talent with my own eyes, how could I believe that someone like him exists on our desolate Panshi Island"

Cheng Chuqiu was also thinking that he had set aside his training for quite a long time. After Lin Tie'er brought it up, he decided to start practicing again.

Nine years ago, Li Bao'er’s father, Li Zhongxuan, the head of the Weiyuan Escort Agency in Hunan, suddenly decided to move his family north for reasons unknown. While passing through Dahong Mountain, they were intercepted by a group of bandits who surrounded them from all directions

Upon hearing that this person could discern his hiding place from the force of the stone he threw, Cheng Chuqiu was taken aback and thought to himself: "I have encountered a master today; I wonder if I can escape unscathed?" Since he had mastered his skills, he had never felt this disheartened. Now, merely having his hiding place discovered, and without even engaging in a fight, he was already worried about his escape route

Cheng Chuqiu took a few more steps and finally confirmed that this was a place he had never been before. After glancing around for a moment, he intended to leave, but suddenly heard a few faint sounds of footsteps behind him. He quickly crouched down and darted towards a large tree ahead, using the tips of his toes to hide behind it.

As the two approached the side hall, two women in purple garments immediately stepped forward to conduct an inspection. One held a harpoon, while the other wielded an iron hook, reminiscent of the encounter with Li Baor. Of course, Cheng Chuqiu would only understand later why women were chosen to serve as guards.

Cheng Chuqiu was startled to find her gaze fixed on him. Suddenly coming to his senses, he shrank back and hid behind the tree trunk. In his ears, he heard Li Beier's voice say, "Zong... Zong Yao... is that you?" Her tone was both tense and excited, filled with doubt and hope, deep affection, earnestness, and sincerity, making anyone who heard it want to respond to her.

Cheng Chuqiu suddenly realized and thought: "So that's how it is. If Li Baor wants to take me to Steward Li, she must first pass through her scrutiny, which is why she brought me here today for an interview." He then pondered: "But how did that old man Lin know about my recovery status? Ah, that day Tie'er came by, and after he returned, how could he not report everything in detail?"

Cheng Chuqiu pondered: "Whose residence is this? Could it be..." Suddenly, he recalled the day when Steward Li took him to meet the esteemed Lady Li Bao'er. This place was heavily guarded, undoubtedly a residence of a key figure in the organization; however, whether it belonged to Li Bao'er was uncertain. At least in Cheng Chuqiu's memory, Steward Li had not brought him here that day.

The woman saw that the man's eyes were about to burst with rage, almost spitting fire, which made her feel a sense of fear. However, due to a momentary lapse in vigilance, she found herself completely restrained, unable to do anything but watch helplessly as the other party contemplated their next move

Thus, despite the bandits blocking the road, Li Zhongxuan remained calm and composed. As usual, he stepped forward to negotiate with this group of people, while the relatives of the Li family quietly waited behind. They had traveled all the way from Hengyang to this place, and Li Zhongxuan had managed negotiations throughout the journey, so no one felt worried or afraid. Even someone as experienced as Li Zhongxuan himself did not sense that the atmosphere was somewhat off.

Chief Steward Li nodded and said, "Indeed."

The one called Xian'er walked to the window, peered out for a moment, and then turned back to say: "I wonder if Elder Wei has caught up with the person? Who is that? How bold of them to dare intrude into our Dongting Gang's main hall?" After a pause, she added: "I really don't understand how these people are keeping watch at night."

Cheng Chuqiu responded and escorted him out of the hall. Xian'er followed and, after watching Steward Li depart, said to Cheng Chuqiu: "Let's go, follow me."

Two guards in purple approached, warmly calling out: "Ah... is it Sister Yuexian who has arrived!" The fairy also greeted enthusiastically: "Hello to both of you..." The three women gathered together and immediately began chattering away. Cheng Chuqiu stood awkwardly to the side, feeling particularly embarrassed

Lin Tie'er said: "There are quite a few with this emblem on their faces, but none are as comfortable as you." He whispered: "If they were to capture people, male or female slaves, none would be as comfortable as you." Cheng Chuqiu felt a chill in her heart and asked: "What else do you know?"

Cheng Chuqiu thought to himself in various states of boredom. As the two conversed, they unknowingly returned to the courtyard. Steward Li generously invited him into the flower hall to take a seat and had someone brew tea, continuing to say: "Elder Bao has passed away, and Young Master Guo is also missing without a trace. Those knowledgeable within the gang are aware that if this continues, the entire organization will inevitably fall apart.

Upon hearing and seeing this, Cheng Chuqiu could not help but want to intervene. At that moment, the man's movements suddenly froze, and then another woman's voice said: "Ah, Elder Wei, it's so late, you are still here?"

Cheng Chuqiu felt somewhat puzzled. However, this time, Manager Li appeared much more at ease, as if he were completely unconcerned, almost as if he had truly forgotten about that day and the conversation they had. Naturally, Cheng Chuqiu could not ask about it; occasionally recalling it, he could only keep it in his heart.

The man said, "What did you say?" His voice was quite angry

The woman coldly said: "We discussed this matter during the day..."

His body responded well, and Cheng Chuqiu gradually became bolder. He ran faster and faster, and before long, he was almost flying, his speed not much different from before his injury. However, after a while, as his blood circulation accelerated, a dull pain began to emerge in his right shoulder. He thought that today was merely to test the condition after the injury and that there was no need to rush, so he slowed down his pace.

Li Beier raised her eyes and said, "What is it?" Steward Li hurriedly replied, "Nothing, nothing! It's nothing, nothing! He has an injury on his right hand; I just accidentally bumped into him a moment ago"

Xian'er said, "Is that so?" and immediately led Cheng Chuqiu into the bamboo house. Cheng Chuqiu noticed that all the furnishings and utensils in the house were made of bamboo, creating a rather elegant atmosphere. At the same time, a fresh scent of new bamboo wafted in, and she thought to herself, "Living here must be very cool in the summer"

Then Li Beier said: "Zong Yao, if you are truly inspired, you should understand that all of this is beyond my control. How can you blame me..." Her voice choked, and she began to sob softly

As the two conversed, they drifted off-topic, chatting about various subjects for a while. The guide then said, "I think the time is about right. Manager Li, please go to the side hall to wait. It would not be good if the second madam arrives first."

In the midst of her thoughts, she suddenly heard Li Beier say, "Alright, you can go down now. I believe that thief will no longer dare to come back." Cheng Chuqiu thought to herself, "Even at this moment, she is still covering for that Elder Wei. I fear that their relationship is anything but ordinary..." For some unknown reason, she felt a sense of loss in her heart, accompanied by a certain displeasure.

In a situation where a solitary man and a solitary woman are together in a room, with the doors closed and the windows shut, there are many inconveniences

Lin Tie'er said, "Are you saying that his wound was stitched poorly?"

Cheng Chuqiu stayed in the tree for a while longer before quietly climbing down and retracing his steps back to the mountain path. Looking up, he realized that the moon was past its zenith, and he had mistakenly thought the moonrise was a moonset, completely reversing his direction. Upon returning to his lodging, he hurriedly lay back down on the kang, closed his eyes, and wished to rest early to avoid being fatigued for work the next morning

The indoor lighting is dim, and one can only discern the outline of a person's appearance. However, the woman before me has a delicate figure, and her every gesture exudes the demeanor of a young lady. It is utterly inconceivable that she is the leader of over a thousand rugged men, able to command them with a single word to charge into battle on her behalf

In order to save time and effort, Cheng Chuqiu originally planned to pass through here, but upon climbing over the wall, he found the surroundings to be a deep courtyard, with distant shadows of houses looming, leaving him uncertain of his location.

Without further ado, they hired two carpenters, moved the materials from the warehouse, and set off on the road. Cheng Chuqiu helped carry a box, and as they walked, they indeed found themselves on the same path they had taken the previous night. Before long, the four of them arrived at the main gate, passed the verification, and entered.

Manager Li finally felt somewhat reassured. Before leaving, he couldn't help but remind Cheng Chuqiu: "Be sure to pay attention and serve carefully; losing my face is a minor issue..." He lowered his voice to threaten, "Your own life is the major issue..." Then, returning to his original tone, he asked, "Do you understand?"

Then Li Beier cried for a while, gradually stopping her tears, and said: "Alas, you see, I was confused. If you were to blame me, how could you have just reached out to save me? If you were not angry with Wei Qing, how could you have just smashed the broken window on his head?"

Cheng Chuqiu said a word and went to see Manager Li. Manager Li replied, "Bring two carpenters, we are going to see the Second Madam." Cheng Chuqiu's heart skipped a beat and he asked, "What?"

Following closely, three people walked two in front and one behind, arriving at a large residence. This residence was surrounded by a wall that was several feet taller than the one Cheng Chuqiu had just climbed over. At that moment, two more individuals approached from the other side. Cheng Chuqiu waited at a distance and observed as the four people whispered to each other for a while, then two of them formed a pair and headed off in opposite directions to patrol.

Gong Yuexian was greatly embarrassed, stamping her foot and saying: "Sister A Jiao, how could you be like this..." Yet, her eyes glanced over at Cheng Chuqiu. Cheng Chuqiu awkwardly smiled and said: "I have never seen Chang'e from the Moon Palace, but if she really exists, I think her appearance should be quite similar to that of Sister Xian..."

The man had originally intended to leave in a huff, but upon hearing the woman's words, he suddenly flew into a rage. With a swift turn, he struck with his palm. The woman was taken aback, caught off guard for a moment; despite her attempts to evade, she ultimately found herself restrained by him.

It is hard to say how long it has been, but I have finally managed to endure this excruciating pain. However, what has replaced it is another kind of despair. No matter how intense the physical pain may be, it will eventually pass, but the pain of the spirit is likely just beginning, and it knows no end

He paused for a moment, confirming that there was no sound outside, and continued: "The first lady can only be slightly inferior to the second lady, which is why she has more leisure time. You know, after all, she is a woman, and at such a young age, becoming a widow at twenty-three or twenty-four, the long nights can be quite lonely..." The lower he spoke, the more his voice sank, his face displaying a strange mix of mockery and a hint of worry and fear, which was chilling to hear

At this moment, as he closed his eyes, the image of Li Beier, solitary and delicate, filled his mind. Like a flower blooming amidst wind and rain, it made him unable to resist the urge to hold an umbrella, shielding Li Beier from the storm. He even entertained the thought of taking the flower home to protect and nurture it with care

Everyone understands the principle that a snake cannot move without its head, yet the two parties have been embroiled in a long-standing verbal dispute, with many harsh words exchanged. Even if someone wishes to intervene and put a stop to it, they find it difficult to lower their face. Just as it seems that the Dongting Gang is destined to split in two, Wei Qing suddenly steps forward with an alternative proposal: to have the two wives of the gang leaders jointly assume the leadership, with all the elders providing assistance. On one hand, they would continue to send people to search for Young Master Guo; if he cannot be found, the position of gang leader will not remain vacant indefinitely. If he is indeed located, it will not be too late to make plans at that time.

Li Beier said: "Xian'er, wait a moment. Please take this Brother Chu to see the surroundings first. Steward Li, could you trouble yourself to have his belongings sent over?" Steward Li smiled and replied: "Not a trouble at all, not a trouble at all. He doesn't have much to take with him anyway"

Before long, a graceful young woman emerged, walking with a delicate poise. Cheng Chuqiu clearly saw her appearance and felt that her face resembled a lotus flower, her skin fairer than snow, truly exquisite beyond compare. In terms of looks, the two sisters were almost on par; however, the younger sister Li Beier had a pair of slightly furrowed brows, appearing to be deep in thought, which made her seem more pitiful compared to Li Baor's charm, though lacking in allure.

Manager Li nodded in agreement and led Cheng Chuqiu out to the corridor

The account of the two sisters has been recounted by others up to this point. At that time, it had been eight years since Guo Zongyao's first wife passed away, and Guo Jinhua had left the Dongting Gang for three years. Guo Zongyao had not taken a new wife and often appeared quite lonely. In the second year after the Li sisters arrived at the Dongting Gang, through persistent encouragement from others, he finally persuaded the two helpless Li sisters to marry him together. Guo Zongyao had not taken a new wife and often appeared quite lonely. In the second year after the Li sisters arrived at the Dongting Gang, through persistent encouragement from others, he finally persuaded the two helpless Li sisters to marry him together

This caused Cheng Chuqiu, who originally looked down on the arrogant and overbearing Manager Li, to regard him with newfound respect, and he felt an immense curiosity towards the Second Madam. As a result, Manager Li's warning had the completely opposite effect.

Cheng Chuqiu thought to herself: "Wei Qing? Hmm, he is Guo Zongyao's sixth disciple and also the only one still alive among them." From her tone, it was evident that there was indeed an ambiguous relationship with Wei Qing, which sent a slight chill through her heart

This was the second time Cheng Chuqiu had seen her in such a disheveled state, and a faint sorrow immediately filled the air around them. Cheng Chuqiu, fearing to disturb her, also momentarily forgot to leave, as if he too had been infected by that mood.

Manager Li was reminded of the lesson just given to Li Beier and quickly said, "Sister Xian'er, if the second madam has any instructions, please feel free to assign them. Regardless of the size of the matter, I will certainly take care of it." Xian'er smiled and replied, "Alright, I understand."

Guo Zongyao's first wife, Mrs. Tian, who is also the biological mother of Guo Jinhua, passed away more than a decade ago. The Mrs. Guo mentioned here refers to two individuals, who are sisters. The one that Cheng Chuqiu encountered today is the elder sister: Li Bao'er

Feeling puzzled, the curtain at the back of the hall was lifted, and another maid stepped out, softly saying, "Manager Li, the Second Madam has arrived." Manager Li quickly stood up. Cheng Chuqiu glanced at the maid and thought to herself, "Indeed, she is Li Beier's personal maid, her status is different, so there is no need to serve tea or water."

Manager Li suddenly realized and bumped his elbow directly into Cheng Chuqiu's right arm. Cheng Chuqiu winced in pain and exclaimed, "Ouch"

Another perspective: "What do you see? I see nothing."

Later, everyone learned that the former leader Guo had, six months prior to his passing, entrusted many matters to the second wife due to his declining mental state, and everyone was completely unaware of this. Wei Qing, who had been by Guo's side for many years, was the first to know about this situation, which is why he proposed that the leader's wife take over the leadership. In fact, what he sought to leverage was the status of the wife, who had not fallen into the quagmire of controversy, along with her talents in this regard, which ultimately helped the Dongting Gang resolve this crisis.

He asked and answered himself, unconsciously running faster and faster, while his mind continued to ponder: "However, there is a difficulty in this; if I reveal that I have practiced profound internal skills, it might lead to unnecessary complications, and my identity could be exposed..." Upon thinking of this, he truly found it hard to make a decision. Distracted, he hurried his pace, and suddenly raised his head, only to realize that he had taken the wrong path down the mountain.

Manager Li assessed the situation, asked no further questions, and instructed two carpenters to begin work immediately, ensuring that the repairs were completed before sunset

Cheng Chuqiu, hearing her cry so sorrowfully, could not help but feel his heart soften. He thought to himself: "She need not put on an act in front of the dead; she must have her own unavoidable hardships." Just moments ago, he had witnessed Wei Qing's fierce and domineering demeanor towards her, and now hearing her speak this way, he had long since believed her. Unconsciously, he began to see himself as the already deceased Guo Zongyao, thinking: "I do not blame you, I do not blame you..."

Two people walked one in front of the other, heading towards the backyard. When Cheng Chuqiu returned, it was just midnight, and he could not see clearly. Now, having actually taken a walk, he realized that the main hall covered quite a large area. Xian'er led him around several artificial hills and ponds, pavilions, and finally arrived in front of a small house made of green bamboo.

Since the steward Li began speaking with him, it was the first time he had heard him refer to himself as "I". He thought that he had finally understood the gravity of the situation and learned to be modest and restrained, which made him feel quite satisfied. He then said: "That's right, just like that. Follow me."

Woman's Way: "Indeed, it is all my fault for being indecisive at that time and being momentarily confused, which led me to fall for your trick. However, while a person may be confused for a moment, they cannot be wrong for a lifetime. So rest assured, I will not make the same mistake again"

The man said resentfully: "Fine, you are indeed ruthless. However, I will not let this go easily. Have you ever considered how much effort I have invested in you? Everything you have today, which of it was not earned through my hard work? Now that you hold great power and your position is secure, you want to shake me off? It won't be that easy! Hmph, suddenly wanting to be a virtuous woman at this moment? Isn't it too late for that?" It won't be that easy! Hmph, suddenly wanting to be a virtuous woman at this moment? Isn't it too late for that?"

Cheng Chuqiu was lost in thought, reflecting: "So this place is called Panshi Island; this is the first time I have heard of it." Thus, he seemed oblivious to the conversation between the two women

In that conversation recounting past history and various rumors, Cheng Chuqiu could discern that Manager Li's praises for the Second Madam were heartfelt, in stark contrast to his usual tendency to speak casually and adapt to circumstances. Moreover, the warning at the end of his speech starkly revealed the extent of his reverence for the Second Madam

Having thought this through, Cheng Chuqiu realized that Li Beier's visit today was merely a routine matter, which left him feeling rather disinterested. Logically speaking, as a stranger, he should not have expected anything; yet, for some reason, he suddenly found himself completely lacking in motivation.

Li Beier was deeply moved, sobbing and unable to calm down for quite some time. But perhaps in the end, she was simply exhausted; she felt that she was already the leader of a group and needed to act with strength. Thus, she went into the room. One of the windows had been broken by Cheng Chuqiu, so she had to close the other one and then turned off the light to rest.

Of course, Cheng Chuqiu had not yet reached such a level. That night, he went up the mountain to practice secretly again. After several days of insights, he estimated that apart from his lightness skill, he still retained at least eighty to ninety percent of his strength prior to his injury. As for the Yunxiao Palm, his left hand could barely recover to fifty to sixty percent, but his left hand had always been weaker than his right. After some deductions, it was likely that he had less than forty percent left.

Cheng Chuqiu felt considerably reassured. He continued to gaze out the window, only to find that there was no longer any sign of a person by the window. A thought crossed his mind, and he climbed up the tree trunk, seeking a stable spot to observe from above. Peering into the window again, he indeed saw a young maidservant, who was attending to a young woman resting at the table. As Cheng Chuqiu looked at her attire, he suddenly recalled Li Bao'er.

With a swift motion, Cheng Chuqiu raised his right palm and followed through with a strike. He had already mentally prepared himself, ensuring that his strength did not exceed twenty percent. There was a sharp "pa" sound, and he felt as if his arm had simultaneously broken in response, followed by a piercing, excruciating pain that drilled into his right shoulder

However, at times, motivational phrases like "diligence can make up for lack of talent" are precisely used by those who are relatively outstanding to mock and comfort those who are comparatively less capable. In a normal social structure, the majority are indeed ordinary and mediocre, while the exceptional are few. It is essential to properly comfort these individuals and provide them with tasks to engage their minds, which can help maintain a stable and easily governed society

Thus, a person who considers themselves extraordinary yet feels unappreciated is likely to become cynical in the end, as their wisdom no longer allows them to be deceived by others. They cannot numb themselves, or life will become painful; otherwise, they may vent their anger on others, pretend to be foolish, or spend their days in drunkenness

The fairy responded with "yes" and stepped back out.

The man spoke in a tense tone: "Someone just flashed by outside, I will go chase after them, you stay here to protect the lady..." As he spoke, he swayed his body and directly leaped out of the window

Cheng Chuqiu said: "No, my injuries are so severe that being able to stitch them up is already a blessing. How can I ask for them to be aesthetically pleasing? What I am referring to is the tattoo on my face."

Since the fingers of the right hand lack flexibility and strength, the Seven Scatter Hands have almost no room for application. With less than twenty percent of his martial arts prowess remaining, Cheng Chuqiang felt somewhat flustered. He ran a circle around the open space, suddenly took a deep breath, channeled his energy into his arm, and swiftly struck the nearby tree trunk with his left palm. With a loud "crack," a trunk thicker than a person's waist sank into a bowl-sized dent, while leaves and branches fell in succession, yet the trunk remained unbroken. This was precisely the technique of the Cloud Sky Palm.

Worse still, this situation not only did not improve despite his continuous practice; on the contrary, with each forced effort, the pain increased further. Eventually, when he could barely muster the strength to clench his fist, an ominous premonition arose.

Cheng Chuqiu's heart raced. Just as he felt the pain subside, he immediately sought a clean place to sit and practice his exercises. However, no matter how he followed the teachings of his master, starting from the most basic and simple foundational skills, the three meridians of the Hand Shaoyang Sanjiao, Hand Taiyang Xiaochang, and Hand Yangming Dachang still remained as they had before; not only were they blocked, but there was also no response at all. Yet, he continued to practice according to his master's teachings, beginning again with the most fundamental and straightforward exercises, but the three meridians of the Hand Shaoyang Sanjiao, Hand Taiyang Xiaochang, and Hand Yangming Dachang remained unchanged, still blocked and completely unresponsive.

Just as she was filled with suspicion, she noticed a figure approaching from behind the woman. The figure stood behind her and spoke: "It is rare to have the opportunity to talk to you lately. During the day, there are too many people, so I only come at night." The figure was broad-shouldered, and it was the voice of a man

The maid who was originally in the room noticed him lost in thought and said, "Hey! What is your name?" Cheng Chuqiu came to his senses and quickly replied, "My name is Chuqiu. Chuchu from Chuchu the Overlord, and Qiu from autumn." The maid said, "Chuqiu... Hmm, that is quite a refined name. hetushu .com .com." She pulled out a bamboo chair beside her and said, "Come, let's sit together."

The man, filled with rage, seized the woman's wrist, pulling her closer and lowering his voice as he said: "Let me tell you, the past will not be erased simply because you have forgotten it. I remember these matters very clearly. Do not think that just because you have gained some strength, you can kick me aside."

Cheng Chuqiu walked around the hall and found nothing of interest. Unable to suppress her curiosity, she still made her way toward the source of the bright light

On this day, Lin Tie'er suddenly came to check on the condition of his wound recovery. Cheng Chuqiu unfastened his clothing, allowing him to take a close look. After a while, he could no longer hold back his complaints: "Although Master Lin's medical skills are commendable, I wonder if age has dimmed his eyesight, for his technique is truly lacking."

Gong Yuexian felt both delighted and embarrassed, and retorted, "Pah, pah, pah, you call me Sister Xian'er, am I that old?" The maid named A Jiao laughed and said, "I was just about to praise you for your eloquence, but unexpectedly, it immediately provoked our Xian'er to anger. Hurry up and apologize..."

The woman stated emphatically: "Have I not made myself clear enough?"

The woman then said, "Xian'er, you wait outside first."

Think about it, that was all three years ago. At that time, everyone simply wanted the two ladies to temporarily manage the affairs, and now, no one brings up the matter of the former leader Guo's eldest son anymore

The two engaged in light-hearted conversation, which brought them closer emotionally. Lin Tie'er inquired about his living situation. Cheng Chuqiu replied: "Life is quite comfortable, but some people here are rather difficult to get along with"

Lin Tie'er confirmed that no one was around before saying, "Have you seen the madam?" Cheng Chuqiu was taken aback and feigned ignorance, replying, "What?"

At that time, Guo Zongyao happened to be leading a group through the Great Hong Mountain when he witnessed bandits robbing and indiscriminately killing innocent people, including drivers, porters, the elderly, women, and children, with none spared. In a moment of inspiration, he intervened, and as a result of a series of unforeseen circumstances, he ended up saving the lives of two sisters.

Cheng Chuqiu was about to spring out from behind the tree when he saw the man leap out of the window and immediately dash towards the northeast corner, heading in the exact opposite direction from where he was standing

The guide listened and felt very satisfied, saying: "Manager Li handles affairs with efficiency and precision; no wonder the leader appreciates you."

Woman said: "What are you doing?" As she opened her mouth, she was about to scream. The man swiftly pressed on her acupoint, and the woman immediately became rigid all over, unable to move.

Watching Xian'er leave the room, Cheng Chuqiu suddenly felt a sense of disinterest. Just as he was looking for an opportunity to sneak down from the tree and leave, he saw Li Beier once again walk to the window, looking up at the night sky, lost in thought.

Cheng Chuqiu followed behind Manager Li, keeping her head down, not wanting to make eye contact with those unrelated individuals. However, before leaving, she couldn't help but glance at the large tree where he had hidden the previous night.

This time, Chu Qiu did not avoid making eye contact with Li Bao'er as she had during their last meeting. On the contrary, she kept staring intently at Li Bei'er. Seeing this, Xian'er coughed lightly and gave a knowing glance to Manager Li.

Cheng Chuqiu was taken aback, thinking: "This man actually resorts to force." He had always despised the injustices in the martial world where the strong bully the weak. Now, seeing a man bully a woman, he felt the same disdain. He casually picked up a stone from the ground and threw it into the window. With a loud "bang," the stone shattered the window frame, and with unrelenting momentum, there was a crashing sound as something else was broken.

The two individuals chatted and laughed, while casually observing the workers' progress. The guide suddenly glanced at Cheng Chuqiu and asked, "Is it this person?" Cheng Chuqiu had a tattoo of a badge on his face, making it quite easy for others to recognize him.

Li Zhongxuan leaped onto his horse and shouted ahead: "Hey! I, Li, have followed all the rules, so why is the way not being cleared? As we navigate the rivers and lakes, have we forgotten about loyalty and trust?"

As the two settled down, the maidservant brought in tea. Cheng Chuqiu secretly glanced at her face, realizing she was not the fairy from last night

The three exchanged pleasantries. The fairy said, "Alright, let us attend to the important matters first. Is Sister A-Jiao present?" The two individuals in purple glanced at Cheng Chu-Qiu, their faces once again displaying that expression which had already begun to annoy Cheng Chu-Qiu, and they smiled, saying, "She has been waiting inside for quite some time."

The woman said: "There is no need to make things difficult for them. As long as they strengthen their patrols in the future, that will suffice... By the way, in the future, send someone here to keep watch. If there is nothing going on, they can stay in the front hall. When needed, I will call out, and they can arrive immediately."

Lin Tie'er smiled and said: "Indeed, he did not stab it to the size of a palm, which is already a blessing from your ancestors"

Lin Tie'er conducted a preliminary examination of his wounds and deemed the situation to be satisfactory. Cheng Chuqiu had never sustained such a severe injury and always felt as if something had happened to his right shoulder, as if it were being pressed and bound. Lin Tie'er explained that this was due to the internal healing of the wound, where the muscles had adhered together. Now, for the most part, it had healed, and as long as he began to move more and stretch his muscles, it would gradually improve

Cheng Chuqiu felt a glimmer of hope ignite within her heart, and she immediately became so joyful that she could hardly contain herself. As she walked down the mountain, she thought to herself, "Even if he knows nothing about internal martial arts, this is due to an external injury, and at the very least, he can offer me some advice." Remembering how Old Man Lin had once asked her to move the stone mortar, she now felt that there must have been a deeper meaning behind it.

The woman said without turning her head: "There is no need to be so late..."

Cheng Chuqiu thought to himself: "What is this place? There are actually people on guard at night?" At this moment, he no longer wished to leave. He thought that since he had been on this island for several months, he had hardly visited many places, which was truly inconsistent with his usual character. Seeing that the two night watchmen were completely unaware, he quietly climbed down the tree and followed them from a distance.

The origin of Madam Guo's leadership is well understood by everyone. Initially, there were doubts about whether these two sisters could truly secure their positions. However, subsequent events proved that the elder madam was adequate, while the younger madam was astute and capable, truly a skilled individual. Within six months, all matters, large and small, within the organization were operating in an orderly and systematic manner under her management, leading to a flourishing organization with even greater prestige than in previous years

A gust of evening wind blew by, causing the autumn leaves on the tree to rustle and fall. At that moment, Li Beier suddenly glanced up at the tree, fixating her gaze intently on it.

The two sisters cried out in alarm, but the chaos outside was overwhelming, the noise louder than their voices, drowning them out. Soon after, the sounds outside diminished, and after calling out "Father" a few times without receiving a response, the sisters, filled with fear, embraced each other, too frightened to speak again

Then they could hear unfamiliar voices conversing outside, followed by the sound of things being rummaged through, as if they were searching for something. The two sisters huddled in the car, listening as the sounds drew closer, and they dared not move a muscle.

Cheng Chuqiu thought to himself, "I never expected that as the leader, she would actually focus her thoughts on a lowly slave like me." However, after listening to Li Beier say some trivial matters, she finally added, "Manager Li, since my sister has taken a liking to Brother Chu and wishes to utilize his talents, then you should find someone else for the accounts department."

Li Beier turned to Cheng Chuqiu and said, "Your surname is Chu, right?" Cheng Chuqiu was taken aback for a moment and blurted out, "Me? Oh... yes, yes, yes... that's right, my surname is Chu, my surname is Chu..."

As he walked along, he suddenly encountered a wall he had never seen before. Because the sky was dark, the scenes of the day often appeared misleading at night, so he did not pay it much mind and continued to walk along the base of the wall. After a considerable time, he felt as if this wall was endless. Old habits were hard to change, so he reached out, lifted himself up, and effortlessly climbed over the top of the wall

If the master were still here, he would surely be able to tell himself what to do

The woman shrugged her shoulders, pushed the man's hand away, and said: "The past is like a fleeting cloud to me; do not mention it again. If you wish to reminisce tonight, then please leave. The night is already deep, and I need to rest."

Chief Steward Li spoke harshly, saying: "Are you still half-asleep?"

After a while, the sounds of voices outside grew louder, accompanied by the clashing of weapons and continuous shouts, as if another conflict had erupted. Shortly after the voices ceased for the second time, someone came to lift the curtain at the back of the cart and said: "Come quickly, there are still two people here..."

Cheng Chuqiu said, "Is that so?" pointing to his own cheek, "If there are few people like me, then there is no need to make a mark."

Cheng Chuqiu was taken aback for a moment, then suddenly understood: "So he was just talking nonsense earlier, merely to provide himself with an excuse to escape..." Upon thinking of this, he couldn't help but chuckle silently. Considering the martial arts of the former leader of the Dongting Gang, Guo Zongyao, the rumors in the martial world were hardly exaggerated; if the leader was like this, what kind of experts and resources could there possibly be on the island?

The man's expression changed slightly as he said, "You... what did you say?"

Li Zhongxuan had been escorting goods for many years, making several trips back and forth to Dahong Mountain, where he had encountered these mountain bandits a few times. Even when he was still following his master on the escorting routes, there was already some tacit understanding between them. It was precisely for this reason that he dared to take his family through these 'black mountains' alone. For him, the paths through these dark mountains and roads were familiar, and he considered them safer than the usual official roads.

A voice from the crowd ahead responded loudly: "Chief Li, our people have already made way. What stands before you now are other friends who say they have personal grievances to settle with you. Hehe, that has nothing to do with me..."

By the window stood a slender figure, with light streaming in from behind, obscuring her features. However, it was still vaguely discernible that she was a young woman. She slightly raised her chin, as if gazing at the night sky, yet it was unclear whether she had just spoken.

Dining is a communal activity where everyone gathers in the cafeteria. However, in the evening, someone else comes to take him to his sleeping quarters, rather than having him sleep in a shared dormitory with others. Although Cheng Chuqiu finds this strange, he accepts it with pleasure. His sleeping quarters are in a small room next to the firewood shed. The place is simple, but considering it is his own space, there is nothing to complain about. As for the fact that he also has to oversee the storage room behind the firewood shed while sleeping here, there is naturally nothing to quibble about.

The man said, "Xian'er, you go out first, I will leave shortly." There was a moment of silence in the room, and the woman named Xian'er clearly did not obey and went out first. The man continued, "You ask her to go out first, and I will say a few more words before I leave."

The woman said in her usual tone, "Then what are you here for?"

It is said that although Li Beier is the younger sister, she is clever, quick-witted, courageous, and responsible, winning more hearts than Guo Zongyao. Therefore, she is effectively the leader who makes decisions for all matters within the group

The maid disregarded it and said, "Let us not pay her any mind. I am her elder sister, and she must listen to me in all matters; my word is final." Without considering whether the fairy was willing or not, she introduced, "Her name is Gongyue Xian, which means she is a fairy from the Moon Palace. Just look at her, is she not beautiful? Does she not resemble one?"

After much contemplation, Cheng Chuqiu could not help but feel a wave of despair. First, everything external to him was lost overnight, and now he realized that even the cultivation he had built over more than a decade was gradually slipping away. Just as he was in a state of confusion, he suddenly thought: "That Qi Guqin, known as the King of Swords, severed my tendons and bones with a single strike. Coupled with excessive blood loss and being submerged in the lake, my injuries are indeed severe. As for Lin Tie'er’s master, he can actually remove rotten flesh, stitch muscles, and reconnect bones; he is simply a reincarnation of Hua Tuo, certainly not an ordinary physician." Upon thinking of this, he could not help but feel a surge of joy.

Hiding his body well, he peeked down from the tree and saw two figures holding torches and long poles walking past below. One of them said, "Hey, did you just see anything?"

Cheng Chuqiu understood, but he had already made up his mind to stay and investigate further, having lost all his temper, he said: "This little matter can be understood."

It is unclear how much time has passed, but the moon in the sky slowly reveals its face from behind the drifting clouds. A beam of moonlight quietly spills onto Li Beier's face, and a soft, luminous white light spreads across her features. Cheng Chuqiu gazes at her in silence, nearly forgetting to breathe. Suddenly, he discovers that there are twinkling stars reflected on Li Beier's cheek.

Just as he arrived at the window, a shadow suddenly swayed inside, followed by a creaking sound as the window swung open. Cheng Chuqiu quickly stepped aside and hid.

Xian'er followed her words and sat down. Cheng Chuqiu observed her attire and concluded that she was likely a maid of the same status as Xian'er. Since she did not invite Cheng Chuqiu to sit, Cheng Chuqiu felt it inappropriate to take a seat herself.

Upon seeing the purple-clad guard, Manager Li appeared particularly respectful. After the announcement, the two were granted passage. Upon entering the hall, they noticed that the corners of the room were filled with eight purple-clad guards standing along the walls, possibly due to the events that occurred yesterday, which led to an increase in personnel.

The man placed his hands on the woman's shoulders and frowned, saying: "A lone man and a solitary woman, how inconvenient this is? Haven't we already..."

Although she was looking at Xian'er as if speaking to her, her voice was quite loud, as if she were also talking to Cheng Chuqiu. Xian'er blushed and whispered, "You speak so loudly, aren't you afraid he will hear?" After saying this, she couldn't help but chuckle softly.

Upon seeing their parents, elder brother and sister-in-law, as well as the steward and wet nurse, the two sisters were devastated to find that over ten lives had been taken by the bandits, leaving only the two of them to rely on each other. They immediately burst into tears. In the desolate wilderness, with bandits rampant, Guo Zongyao, moved by the plight of the two sisters who were left all alone, decided to take them under his wing and ultimately returned to Dongting Gang.

He was then taken to the accounts office to meet an old man. Cheng Chuqiu remembered that he had mentioned "Uncle Cai" before, so he said, "Hello, Uncle Cai!" Manager Li was pleased to see that he was obedient and had a good mind, and he was very happy. Indeed, he arranged for him to work with Uncle Cai. Uncle Cai was a very compliant person, agreeable to everything, and Cheng Chuqiu knew that following him would make life easier.

In a state of confusion, Cheng Chuqiu fell asleep again. The next day, before he had fully awakened, Steward Li sent someone to look for him. Although his martial arts skills had diminished significantly, what remained was still nearly sufficient for him to handle all situations on the island. Before the person sent to invite him had even approached the house, he had already become aware while lying on the kang.

Cheng Chuqiu took a few steps back, looking up at the night sky. He saw the crescent moon hanging at an angle, its light filtering through the clouds, allowing him to discern the direction. He turned left and continued forward.

He was instantly drenched in cold sweat, trembling all over, unable to help but kneel and sit down on the spot, gasping for breath, trying to calm his mind and spirit to avoid fainting

She is in tears. Yes, Li Beier remains motionless, staring blankly as tears flow down her face. At this moment, her innermost thoughts, apart from herself, are known only to the moon

Cheng Chuqiu did not remember Lin Tie'er being so cheerful. As far as his memory served, he was an introverted and reserved young man. Unexpectedly, he would also joke with him. So he followed up on his words and said: "Alright, please help me thank him, and then I will grant him a position of longevity and prosperity, offering three incense sticks morning and evening to pray for his blessings"

Cheng Chuqiu originally thought that he had mastered all the martial arts passed down by his master, but now it seems that there are still many fundamental skills he has yet to learn. He recalls his master's kindness, the life on Yunxiao Mountain, and Wenjun. He then reflects on his own experiences, comparing them to his current situation. Always optimistic, he finally faces the brink of collapse, his nose tingling, and he finds himself lost in tears.

In fact, this reasoning is quite evident. At first, he did not consider this aspect due to the sudden upheaval he faced, compounded by his illness. Later, feeling resentful, he thought that the reason the old man Lin extended a helping hand was merely for his own ulterior motives, and thus he did not delve into the extent of his medical skills.

Li Beier said: "Manager Li oversees the internal affairs of the gang, so he must lead by example in cherishing manpower and resources." Manager Li's face flushed, and he replied: "Yes, I understand, my subordinate." Cheng Chuqiu was greatly amused and thought to himself: "Well said, no wonder everyone likes you!"

Since his injury is to the hand, the situation is clearly not as optimistic as that of his foot. After using just a little strength in his right hand, he immediately felt a wave of soreness spreading from his shoulder to his elbow, which rendered all five fingers powerless, preventing him from achieving the desired effect

At first, he walked slowly, but as time went on, he began to walk faster and eventually started to employ lightness techniques. He felt a warm energy in his dantian gradually spreading to his limbs and bones, and he couldn't help but feel a sense of joy akin to meeting an old friend in a foreign land

Cheng Chuqiu was also moved upon hearing this, and then Li Beier continued, "Zong Yao, was that you just now? Why did you come to my rescue, yet now you are avoiding me? Could it be... could it be that you are angry with me... angry about my affair with Wei Qing?"

At that time, Guo Zongyao was forty-four years old, while his elder sister Li Bao'er was only nineteen, and his younger sister Li Bei'er was even younger at seventeen. The reason why the two of them would agree to marry Guo Zongyao, who was older than their father, certainly cannot be attributed merely to being "persuaded"; it is not that simple

Yes

Lin Tie'er said: "This island is a closed environment, and there are rarely outsiders. They will need some time to get accustomed to it"

At that moment, someone rushed to report. Before reaching the hall, someone came to greet them, leading the four to continue forward. Cheng Chuqiu had already guessed that the carpenter was going to repair the window that had been damaged by a stone last night. As they walked, it turned out to be true; the four soon arrived at the broken window.

That night, he first pretended to doze off in bed for a while, and then, taking advantage of the darkness, he quietly slipped out. In recent days, he had become familiar with the surrounding environment and knew that there was an open area on the back mountain, composed of sandstone and gravel, where crops did not grow and human presence was rare. After confirming the direction, he set off in that direction.

The noise from the books was quite loud, startling many people. The man jumped up and looked out the window, shouting, "Who is it?" At that moment, the one called Xian'er also rushed in. Upon seeing the woman lying on the floor, she immediately ran to the window to help, while asking, "What happened?"

He was not really looking forward to what might happen after meeting the madam, but rather felt a profound curiosity about the two sisters. Of course, perhaps he did have some expectations deep down, though he himself was unaware of it; that is also a possibility

As several days passed, Cheng Chuqiu practiced martial arts on the back mountain every night. He was not only praised as a prodigy in modern martial arts but also had a certain passion and dedication for training. Most importantly, he possessed a degree of confidence. He only hoped that the heavens would recognize his relentless efforts and, through diligence, allow him to gradually regain the feelings of his past.

After thinking for a moment, Li Beier broke into a smile, but soon became sad again, saying: "But since you have returned, why are you avoiding me? I have heard that those who have passed away will return home to visit their loved ones on the night of the seventh week, the forty-ninth day. Why have I not seen you? Even in dreams, you have never allowed me to dream of you once..."

The man's voice was somewhat impatient as he said, "I know we have discussed this..."

Li Beier said, "Very well." She got up from the chair and went directly to the back hall. The fairy sent her out and returned after a while, saying, "Alright, Chief Steward Li, it has been arranged."

Cheng Chuqiu had not yet responded when Xian'er, in a fit of playful annoyance, said: "The matters you two have agreed upon should not involve me."

Cheng Chuqiu hesitated for a moment but still sat down. The maid said, "From now on, you will serve the madam alongside me. Considering we are peers, how about this: you seem to be a bit older than both of us, so we will call you 'Brother Chu' from now on, how does that sound?"

Chief Steward Li smiled and said, "Not at all, I merely treat the matters of the leader as my own to handle."

However, although all matters of the Dongting Gang are decided by the Second Madam, in name, the First Madam is still the First Madam and the leader of the Dongting Gang. As long as she likes you, you will have a good life here; if you offend her, you will sooner or later be thrown into the lake to feed the turtles

Unbeknownst to him, the sky gradually brightened. Cheng Chuqiu felt his heart sink to the depths; these three meridians, showing no response, conveyed a singular message: if he continued to practice recklessly, the imbalance of yin and yang within him would inevitably lead to a state of demonic deviation. Conversely, if he ceased practicing altogether, these three meridians might wither away, hindering the cultivation of his other meridians, causing his internal skills to regress year by year.

Since one has come, one should settle down. He looked left and right, chose a spot, and effortlessly climbed over the wall. Inside the wall was a large house, with a corridor on each side. At half past three in the middle of the night, everything was pitch black, which was to be expected. However, at the other end of the corridor, a window emitted a faint light, visible from a great distance, making it quite conspicuous

Cheng Chuqiu said: "Are you saying that I still have to thank him?"

Woman said: "Let go of me first." The man complied and released his grip.

Cheng Chuqiu saw her once again fall into a state of sadness, and his mood inevitably became affected as well. When he first heard about the plight of the Li sisters, he initially thought it was quite tragic that a pair of young and beautiful sisters, in the prime of their youth, would agree to marry an old man who was older than their father. Even if it was not due to coercion, it was at least based on a myriad of helpless circumstances.

The woman stepped aside somewhat uneasily and said, "Alright, just say what you need to say."

Lin Tie'er couldn't help but glance at his face and said: "What good can such a tattoo look like? They tattooed it on you because they were afraid you would escape, not for aesthetics. Moreover, the original design is quite similar to what is on your face."

Li Beier said: "Brother Chu, I believe Manager Li has already spoken to you. Since you are here, do not dwell on the past. As long as you are willing to start anew and work hard, this place could very well be a suitable one for you to settle down and make a living."

The previous person said again: "I clearly just saw a figure..."

Cheng Chuqiu thought to himself: "That's right, it's your grandfather..." He always felt that these people looked at him with somewhat unusual eyes. Being regarded as an outsider for so long inevitably made him a bit impatient

The two sisters listened and initially thought they were doomed. Thus, they encountered Guo Zongyao.

Cheng Chuqiu, upon hearing this, thought to himself: "So that's how it is." He then asked, "She is the leader, and I am merely a useless waste that you all pulled up. One is in the sky, the other is underground. If I want her... if the leader likes me, isn't that too difficult?"

The man hesitated before finally saying: "Please close the window first"

Lin Tie'er said: "While you were unconscious, the madam visited several times. If it weren't for her, you would either be carrying soil and stones on the mountain or pulling boats by the lakeside. It would be fine by the lake in summer, but in winter, a few people are bound to freeze or drown. And it would be fine on the mountain in winter, but come summer, a few people are sure to be bitten to death by snakes and scorpions."

The woman said, "I see there is really nothing serious to discuss with me." She turned and shouted, "Xian'er! Show them out!"

The man twisted her wrist behind her back, embraced her, and said: "What do you think I want to do? Haven't you been asking me all night? I came here tonight for this purpose; I certainly don't want to leave empty-handed... Hehe, what does 'you won't make a mistake again' mean? I want you to never be able to turn over again..." As he spoke, the silhouettes of the two figures flickered in the window, and it was evident that the man had pressed the woman to the ground.

Upon hearing his serious words, Cheng Chuqiu surprisingly did not become angry. On the contrary, she felt a bit of an impulse to learn more about the two sisters. However, it seemed that Manager Li would not say any more; perhaps what he knew was limited to this. Thus, she nodded and honestly said, "I understand."

The man leaned closer to the woman and whispered, "Until this moment, you always have a multitude of excuses"

The woman hesitated. The man said: "You can let her leave first, but then the past you wish to forget will have one more person who knows about it."

Cheng Chuqiu thought to himself: "Oh, is that so? No wonder he dared not linger for a moment; he knows there must be something strange about this, for it is absolutely not something a dead person could accomplish"

Then Li Beier seemed to have heard the voice in Cheng Chuqiu's heart, and spoke gently to him: "You have met the madam before. She is currently in need of an assistant, a man to help with some heavy work. Although it is heavy work, you can rest assured, Master Lin has told me that your recovery is quite good and you are more than capable. However, working among a group of women may initially feel a bit uncomfortable for some. But just like working outside, as long as you are cautious in everything, it is nothing to worry about."

If it weren't for the fact that she was going to meet Li Beier later, Cheng Chuqiu probably wouldn't be this patient. Manager Li, unaware of this underlying reason, said as he walked, "You seem quite well-behaved today; have you finally come to your senses?" Cheng Chuqiu smiled awkwardly and did not respond

Cheng Chuqiu thought to himself: "Indeed, it is her." He had once heard Steward Li mention that the Li sisters had both married Guo Zongyao, with the elder sister being the first wife, and the second wife naturally being the younger sister, Li Beier.

As soon as he concealed himself, he heard a woman's voice say, "Why are you looking for me so late? What is it that you want?" Cheng Chuqiu's heart skipped a beat, and he immediately realized that this was not directed at him. He stealthily turned his face to the side, revealing one eye.

Another person said: "A shadow? What a ridiculous notion! We have been on night watch for over three years; has there ever been a day when you saw a ghostly figure? Truly nonsensical..." The two continued to talk, walking further and further away.

At this critical moment, the horses in front of the carriage seemed to be startled, letting out a series of whinnies and becoming restless, causing the entire carriage to shake violently. The two sisters, hiding inside the carriage, were so frightened that they could not even scream. Following a moment of chaos, suddenly there was a loud "crack," and the entire carriage overturned. Items inside the carriage flew out and scattered, hitting the two sisters, who clung tightly to each other, gritting their teeth and enduring the ordeal.

Upon hearing this, Li Zhongxuan naturally furrowed his brow, thinking: "What?" At that moment, the sound of whistling arrows accompanied by screams filled the air incessantly. According to the descriptions from the Li sisters, not only were arrows raining down, but they were also being shot from all directions. The two sisters, hiding inside the carriage, listened to the clattering sounds on the roof, which resembled the sound of hail falling. It was not until several arrowheads pierced through the canopy that they realized the situation was dire, as someone was shooting arrows at the carriage.

As for the Seven Dispersing Hands, the right hand, whether in terms of strength or speed, fails to coordinate effectively. When faced with a truly formidable opponent, it instead becomes a point of vulnerability. Therefore, it is better not to use it at all, and thus this skill can be considered lost.