Section 6

After the rain of petals, Tang Tingyu had just stood up, his cloak billowing, when Yunmeng had already closed in. His left hand was as light as plucking clouds, while his right hand was as forceful as a heavy hammer forging iron, each serving as both offense and defense, entwining to seek an opportunity to approach the vital points around Tang Tingyu.

His companion, Bao'er, suddenly said: "Young master, the embroidery on this purse seems to be in the style of Shu."

Tang Tingyu opened the purse

His heart suddenly sank as he recalled the Grand Tutor Jia Sidao, who had long been eyeing the prestige of the Xuan Wangfu and the wealth of the Zhao family in Suzhou. He also remembered the disputes between the Xuan Wang and Jia Sidao during the time of the childless Emperor Lizong, when the succession was at stake, and the various rumors circulating in Jiangdong. The current ruler, supported by Jia Sidao, was indulgent and tyrannical, and the people of Jiangdong privately discussed how much better it would have been if the Lu Wang, whom the Xuan Wang had supported, had ascended to the throne; at the very least, he would have been stronger than the current ruler, who obeyed Jia Sidao in all matters. Furthermore, there were rumors that the Lu Wang, who had been accused of instigating the Huzhou mutiny and was said to have been executed, was actually alive and had been hidden away by the Xuan Wang, waiting for the right moment to clear his name. Some even claimed that Emperor Lizong had left behind a will designating the Lu Wang as his successor, which was in the hands of the Xuan Wang. However, the Xuan Wang, considering the overall situation and the nation's difficulties, did not wish to incite chaos and therefore refrained from revealing it or staging a coup.

Zhao Peng suddenly understood that Tang Tingyu had intentionally feigned a look of astonishment, likely to divert the attention of Yunmeng and others, in order to seize such an item.

Suddenly, a shower of blossoms erupted in the forest, and amidst the floral rain wafted a rich aroma of wine, intoxicating and overwhelming.

Tang Tingyu smiled faintly and opened his hands

To single-handedly promote the rapprochement between the Suzhou Zhao family and the Xuan Wang family, is it ultimately a blessing or a curse

Yunmeng's left palm gently pressed against Tang Tingyu's right chest at the moment he was taken aback. Tang Tingyu had no time to evade and could only exert force to rebound, causing both of them to drift backward. Yunmeng retreated into the small boat and quickly covered her face with a veil.

Yunmeng paused for a moment, then stepped lightly, gliding gracefully on the wind, drifting towards the Tang court. When she was about a zhang away from him, she suddenly leaped up, her sleeves billowing like clouds emerging from the mountains, a cool fragrance wafting towards him

Chief Steward Hou pondered for a moment and said, "This should be the hair of the King of the East Sea"

Zhao Peng made countless speculations and conjectures in his heart

Chief Steward Hou waved his hand and said, "Let them go."

Zhao Peng knows that Bao'er’s judgment cannot be wrong. Does Yunmeng have a connection with the court and the *Tu* Shuting? Is the court secretly supporting her in dealing with the wealthy Suzhou Zhao family and the renowned Xuan Wang? Otherwise, with her status, how could she so recklessly appear in public in Jiangdong?

Tang Tingyu withdrew his hand, not expecting that Yunmeng had not brought the antidote with her; however, regardless of the circumstances, what he had obtained was something she valued greatly, otherwise she would not have been angered

He stepped back several paces and took the original position of Chief Steward Hou, smiling at the crowd: "I have also learned the Seven Techniques of Chief Steward Hou, so I can be considered to have a mentor-student relationship with him. When the master is occupied, the disciple shall bear the burden. Today, let me fight on behalf of Chief Steward Hou."

Tang Tingyu put away the purse and said, "I believe she will find a way to retrieve this purse."

Chief Steward Hou: "Perhaps your esteemed father could also take a chance with her."

He looked towards Zhao Peng. Zhao Peng smiled slightly, walked over, and said in a low voice: "That is the Cloud Dispelling Hand. The Cloud Dispelling Hand, Flowing Cloud Sleeve, Stealthy Cloud Step, and Cloud Piercing Shuttle are all exquisite skills from the lineage of the Wushan Cloud and Rain. After the Wushan Goddess went into seclusion, she created the Flying Cloud Sword. I wonder if the Cloud Dream has been fully mastered? However, she did not use the sword today"

Zhao Peng let out a soft sigh. He recognized this as the "Flowing Cloud Sleeve" from the lineage of "Wushan Cloud and Rain." The Cloud Dream envoy wielded it with such ease; he could not help but wonder if her other martial arts skills could also reach such a level of mastery.

Although Tang Tingyu's actions are not entirely aboveboard, there truly are no better alternatives. However, if others were to witness Tang Tingyu's methods, it would inevitably lead to some murmurs of discontent.

In his hand lay a small pouch, delicately embroidered with flowing clouds and bats on a tender yellow silk surface, symbolizing the meaning of "blessings everywhere." The pine green ribbon tied to the pouch was meticulously knotted into a plum blossom pattern

Shi Qing tightened his grip on the knife, watching helplessly as Yunmeng and the others departed, filled with resentment and grinding his teeth. Just as they were about to leave, Xiao Qing turned back and flashed him a charming smile, making a cute yet exasperating face.

Regardless of whether those spreading these rumors are well-intentioned or malicious, they have placed the residence of King Xuan in a position that subtly stands in opposition to both Grand Master Jia and the current ruler.

Zhao Peng turned to Tang Tingyu and asked, "What is that thing you are holding in your hand?"

Long Yao San is a mysterious and unpredictable figure, having never been seen displaying his martial skills. However, to establish his own foundation in the highly competitive Jiangdong region, where many experts abound, speaks volumes about his profound abilities

Bao'er whispered in Zhao Peng's ear: "Young master, that plum blossom is the work of the embroiderers from Yonghe Fang in Lin'an"

Although he let out a sigh of relief, he still felt uneasy in his heart

Shattering stones is not a difficult task for a master; however, when it comes to breaking soft fabrics, few can accomplish it.

The eyes, resembling cold stars in the clouds, quietly scanned the crowd, while the plum garden was so silent that the sound of falling flowers could be heard

In the pouch lies a small bundle of coarse, black, curly hair, tightly wrapped with golden thread

Chief Steward Hou smiled as he looked at them, as if he knew what they were thinking in their hearts

In Yunmeng's eyes, a chilling aura pervaded. Her left hand, adorned with the color of a cool autumn fragrance, gently brushed aside Tang Tingyu's right hand, effortlessly sealing the latter half of his sixth move, "Snow Embracing Blue Pass." Her crimson right hand swiftly pressed against his left chest. Li Yingxuan and the others were taken aback. However, Tang Tingyu's chest muscles contracted inward, drawing her right hand in; his left hand, like a serpent flicking its tongue, curled around and executed the seventh move, "Heart's Desire," unveiling Yunmeng's veil. Everyone was momentarily stunned, gasping in astonishment. Yunmeng was not the typical beauty with delicate brows and cherry lips found in the mundane world; rather, her visage was as pure and untainted as the azure sky, causing one's heart to race at a mere glance.

For a moment, neither of them moved nor spoke. It was evident that both had sustained some injuries from their earlier confrontation

While speaking, he raised his hand towards Yunmeng, palm facing outward. The people in the plum garden could not clearly see what he was holding, but a hint of anger had already appeared on Yunmeng's face, which soon faded. He then spoke loudly: "Tonight at the hour of Zi, I will wait for a moment at the Dongshan Cemetery. If you wish to detoxify Fang Xinyu, then hand him over to me. I will not wait past the appointed time"

If the roles were reversed, and observing the trend of an alliance forming between the wealthy Zhao family of Suzhou and the renowned Xuan Wang residence, what actions would he take while seated in the positions of Master Jia and the current official?

Zhao Peng suddenly recalled that among the ships robbed by pirates last year, one was carrying gifts bestowed by the court to the envoy of the Champa Kingdom, which included several imperial artifacts. Yunmeng's attire might have originated from this.

Tang Tingyu approached and whispered in Chief Steward Hou's ear: "The medicine slave is currently identifying the poisons in Fang Xinyu's concoction, but has not yet gained certainty. I suspect the antidote may lie with the daughter of the King of the East Sea; I plan to seize it while I have the chance to act against her."

Chief Steward Hou listened with a smile to his words. Although the people in the plum garden were surprised, they knew that Chief Steward Hou would never undertake anything without confidence. Despite their doubts, no one voiced any objections.

Zhao Peng nodded and said, "There is such a custom above the East Sea. When a loved one passes away, one cuts a lock of their hair to carry with them, as it is said to protect the living from harm. This is probably the amulet left by the King of the East Sea for his daughter when he knew he was destined to die. This pouch looks quite new, suggesting it is often replaced"

Chief Steward Hou chuckled silently. Initially, he had sent Tang Tingyu to the Beggar's Sect for six months of training under the intention of broadening his horizons. Unexpectedly, in addition to gaining knowledge, he also learned a remarkable skill of stealthy thievery. Upon his return, he first employed this skill on King Xuan, managing to take away the jade pendant from him without the king even noticing. As a consequence, Master Shan punished Tang Tingyu with three days of solitary confinement. To everyone's surprise, Tang Tingyu did not neglect this skill and planned to use it today against Yunmeng.

Yunmeng's figure gracefully soared into the air, landing on the stone-paved ground. The lazy spring breeze of the afternoon lifted her cloak, revealing a snow-white ceremonial robe, with wide sleeves and a slender waist, adorned with a jade belt and jeweled shoes. The hem of her skirt was intricately embroidered with five blessings and plum blossoms in silver thread, showcasing exquisite elegance.

Li Yinglong was taken aback: "What kind of palm power is this?"

Tang Tingyu understood the concerns hidden within the hesitation of Chief Steward Hou, and then spoke softly: "I would say this is the auspicious hand passed to me by Chief Steward Hou"

Even the well-informed Chief Steward Hou could not help but applaud. Even the renowned Master Hua from the Hua family in Quanzhou might not be able to execute such a technique to perfection in such a hurried timeframe. Yunmeng and her attendants seemed to have concentrated the essence of various unorthodox martial arts from both the coastal regions and the seas.

She cast a glance at Tang Tingyu, as if her eyes were saying: You ultimately did not obtain the antidote

Lord Long Junhou furrowed his brow and said, "My father, in fact, sometimes achieves great undertakings through intellect rather than martial prowess"

Tang Tingyu concealed his hand within his sleeve, using the phrase "the universe within the sleeve" to catch the falling petals, gently placing them into a shallow pit

Tang Tingyu's head shrank into his own embrace, his body rolling on the ground like a round ball, even mimicking the rotund figure of Chief Steward Hou, which made Zhao Peng chuckle again, laughing while glancing at Chief Steward Hou.

The Dragon Lord, who had been silently observing, suddenly spoke: "I originally thought that only Lord Xuan, Chief Steward Hou, and Master Huayang could defeat her. I did not expect that Young Master Tang would be so remarkable; indeed, a renowned teacher produces outstanding disciples"

However, how could Yunmeng be adorned with such ordinary jewelry meant for women

In the plum garden, everyone was observing Tang Tingyu with their own thoughts. Until today, Tang Tingyu was still an unknown figure; but after today, the entire Jiangdong region would begin to recognize his cunning and martial prowess

Chief Steward Hou smiled and said, "Alright"

Chief Steward Hou pondered silently. Yunmeng and his party arrived at the Tianji Mansion by boat via the waterways from Taihu Lake. As the dominant force of the waterways in Jiangdong, does Long's family truly know nothing about all of this?

In just a few months, there have been subtle changes in Yunmeng's demeanor and bearing. The bold and spirited air observed at sea has somewhat faded, replaced by a faintly emerging ethereal grace reminiscent of the legendary goddess of Wushan. On that day at sea, she seemed hardly to pay any attention to her attire; today, however, she is adorned with exquisite refinement.

Zhao Peng looked at Tang Tingyu with some doubt

Tang Tingyu looked at Yunmeng, who had already regained her composure on the small boat, and said: "She carries a sword aura as cold as ice. I suspect that the one who stole the Soul-Alarm Sword is her. Today, she is not using a sword, perhaps because she has not possessed this sword for long and cannot yet fully master that seemingly sentient treasure sword"

Tang Tingyu's face displayed a look of astonishment, which left Zhao Peng greatly puzzled; this was not the first time Tang Tingyu had seen Yunmeng, and he was already aware that he would have a sense of familiarity towards Yunmeng. How could he still be surprised upon seeing Yunmeng's true appearance

Tang Tingyu immersed himself, reciting the "Gathering Wind by the River" from the Seven Styles of the Ruyi, tearing the cold fragrance of his sleeve into fragments and scattering them towards the plum grove. With a tiptoe on the old plum tree, Yunmeng flew over like a celestial maiden descending, spinning as she moved, her feet stirring up a chilling current that penetrated to the bone, approaching the nape of Tang Tingyu's neck.

Chief Steward Hou exhibited a slight peculiarity, yet did not turn around, remaining facing Yunmeng

Could it be that something has occurred over the past few months, causing her mastery of the Wushan Cloud and Rain martial arts to advance to a new level, thereby altering her demeanor

They faced each other. Chief Steward Hou's corpulent figure seemed to be swelling, exuding a heavy aura of menace. Yunmeng slowly spread her arms, like a giant butterfly unfurling its wings; however, the tension in her demeanor suddenly showed a slight fluctuation. At the same time, Zhao Peng also noticed Tang Tingyu striding in from the entrance of the Meiyuan, who, while approaching, said: "Chief Steward Hou, please wait a moment, I have something to say."

He suddenly thought that the tone in which Long Junhou spoke this sentence seemed to indicate that he had already gained some understanding of Yunmeng before today's battle

The products of Yonghefang are exclusively for use in the palace

Tang Tingyu clasped his hands above his head, initiating the second move, "Cycle of Rebirth." A powerful force supported Yunmeng's feet, causing his body to spin like a top as his hands rotated continuously. The downward airflow was drawn underground by the rotation, and in an instant, the stone ground had been pressed down several inches. The two became increasingly frantic in their spinning, and suddenly, Tang Tingyu let out a loud shout, sending Yunmeng flying into the forest. Tang Tingyu then leaped out of the shallow pit beneath him. The two became increasingly frantic in their spinning, and suddenly, Tang Tingyu let out a loud shout, sending Yunmeng flying into the forest. Tang Tingyu then leaped out of the shallow pit beneath him.

The hall is filled with flowers, intoxicating three thousand guests! What a remarkable skill!

Chief Steward Hou: "I know that she uses the Bathing Sun Technique from Flying Fish Island with her right hand, but I do not know which martial art she employs with her left hand. If I had not seen it with my own eyes, I would never have believed that such a young girl could master such pure Yin and Yang energies."

Chief Steward Hou remained silent. The Long family estate and the islands of the East China Sea have no conflicting interests; today's encounter did not harm the amicable relations. It is possible that the islands of the East China Sea will seek to win over the Long family estate. Even if the Long family estate considers the need to establish a foothold in Jiangdong and cannot offend the majority, it will most likely maintain a neutral stance

Zhao Peng replied nonchalantly, "Is that so?"

After a moment, Tang Tingyu gently exhaled, pulled apart his hands to remove his outer robe, and the two flaps of the robe's front were torn away by the wind, revealing two complete handprints underneath.

Tang Tingyu's dexterous hand extended and retracted, executing the fourth move "Transforming Yin and Yang" and the fifth move "Li Replaces Tao" in succession. The two streams of energy, one cold and one warm, were separated and directed underground, causing the stone slabs to crack apart.

Although it was not possible to obtain the antidote for Fang Xinyu, for Yunmeng, this may be something more important than the antidote

Zhao Peng couldn't help but let out a soft laugh. Yun Meng, originally characterized by its independent and vigorous spirit akin to a rainbow amidst the sea, rain, and wind, had its momentum considerably diminished by Tang Tingyu's interruption; yet, she found herself at a loss for words regarding this matter. It is no wonder that a hint of anger subtly surfaced in her expression.