Chapter 5, Lord Zhuque

Xie Yun frowned slightly: "Mr. Shen?"

Zhou Fei's eyes lit up: "Is this the antidote? How many spoonfuls should one take at a time?"

Zhou Fei couldn't help but tighten her grip on the narrow-bladed knife in her hand, a familiar yet strange sense of unwillingness rising in her heart. Suddenly, a cold little hand grasped her elbow. Zhou Fei was taken aback; it turned out to be Miss Wu from the Wu family, startled by a sharp shriek, who instinctively grabbed her knife-wielding hand, seeking protection. Meeting Zhou Fei's gaze, Miss Wu exclaimed "Ah!" and hurriedly released her grip, saying, "I... I apologize."

Someone asked excitedly: "But is it the 'Snow Breaking Blade'?"

Miss Wu forced a smile, lowered her head to look at her hands, and said softly: "I have no abilities at all, so I can only be a burden"

Zhou Fei: "... ..."

They first occupy the high ground, and even if accompanied by a group of "lost dogs," it is equivalent to taking the initiative. Those below who rush up will find their efforts doubled for half the result. Even if the people above are unarmed, they can at least throw stones, and they need not worry about the monsters and demons of the living and the dead causing any further trouble.

Zhou Fei felt a sense of urgency in her heart, especially when she recalled the tales of skinning and heart extraction that others had told her—Li Sheng, a delicate and tender young man, what would happen if he were captured by that so-called Zhuque Master and turned into a human skin rug

Zhou Fei threw the knife in her hand, and it pierced through the man's back to his chest... Then the knife could not be pulled out. In her moment of desperation, her strength was too great; the knife struck a rib after entering the body and broke into two pieces in the flesh.

In the end, I could not escape the fate of being a spendthrift

Xie Yun extended a finger and said: "Shh---"

There are two colors of food boxes, one is red, engraved with the character "赤", and the other is black, engraved with the character "玄". It is presumably to distinguish the meals for the guards and the prisoners. In the cabinet, there is a pile of medicine bottles, the purpose of which is unknown. Zhou Fei is completely ignorant of these bottles and jars, and does not dare to smell them randomly. Instead, she simply tears off a piece of tablecloth, ties both ends, and makes a cloth pouch, gathering everything into it.

Suddenly, the sound of killing erupted, and countless dark figures descended from all directions, instantly turning the entire valley upside down like oil in boiling water. Zhou Fei was eager to see who this unknown "intimate friend" was, but recalling Xie Yun's words, "There will surely be trouble soon," along with the warning for her to leave quickly, she instinctively felt that this group of "intimate friends" was not there to rescue anyone. She immediately slipped out of the kitchen, carefully protecting a wrapped medicine bottle, drew out her long knife with her other hand, and charged against the crowd.

She had not yet had the chance to secretly rejoice when the sentry who had just run over reacted. The leader suddenly turned his head back, staring at Zhou Fei for a moment, and with a loud roar exclaimed, "No, who are you..."

That person was truly too conspicuous, dressed in red, resembling a blazing fire in the night, and in the blink of an eye, they rushed over with a whoosh

The few rare masters in this world clearly do not adhere to any principles; they are all here to take lives, and none are willing to discuss the morality of "not using numbers to bully the few." In an instant, the situation on the field turned into a two-on-one. When "Wu Qu" Tong Kaiyang arrived, he did not utter a single word and immediately engaged in battle. Mu Xiao Qiao, renowned as a formidable demon, dazzled everyone with her movements, twisting and turning, and for a time, she showed no signs of defeat.

Xie Yundong's rambling was truly excessive, but Zhou Fei unexpectedly found a bit of pleasure in his company this time. Before she could feel gratified, she heard him leisurely add, "A rare man in this world, standing seven feet tall, with half of that being legs, can actually encounter a kindred spirit, how fortunate!"

With his opening remarks, everyone immediately began to echo and gather around.

In the Forty-Eight Villages, a temperamental bear had arrived for a year, nearly injuring several young disciples who went to catch mountain chickens. An elder tracked it for a day and a night, killed it, and brought it back, saying he would skin it to make a felt. At that time, Zhou Fei was still very young; she only remembered the bear's head hanging to one side, its face bearing a gloomy expression as if it were gritting its teeth, planning to take revenge for its death in the next life—this was one of the few shadows in Zhou Fei's childhood, which was otherwise filled with wild monkey-like antics.

Xie Yun noticed that everyone was on the verge of losing their sanity, so he quickly gathered his thoughts and commanded, "There is the sound of water over there; there must be fish inside. Everyone is likely exhausted from both the poison and the fatigue. I suggest we rest here for the night and set off tomorrow. We can reach Huarong within a day, which will allow us to settle down and contact our family and friends."

Since Zhou Fei came down the mountain, she has rarely encountered girls of a similar age, so she pondered for a moment and inadvertently said: "It's not quite like that. Since I was young, my father told me that wolves are rampant, so I had no choice but to practice hard... You... your father probably didn't have time to tell you, did he?"

Zhou Fei was taken aback

Before the opponent could utter the word "person," Zhou Fei had already taken the initiative. Having satisfied her hunger, the long knife in her hand resembled a snake spitting out its core. In the blink of an eye, with three screams of agony, she had already knocked down three individuals and charged directly in front of the leader. The leader let out a furious roar, his hands glowing with a dark iron hue, as he attempted to catch her knife with his bare hands. Zhou Fei suddenly leaped upward, feigned a move, and soared over the leader's head, landing on a large tree. With a gentle push from the treetop, she was already two zhang away in an instant. Just as the leader was about to command his men to pursue her, a sharp sound of blades suddenly rang out behind him, as several men in black had appeared at his back without him noticing.

Xie Yun looked at her with a strange gaze for a moment. Zhou Fei thought he was coming up with another reason to dissuade her, but unexpectedly, he said: "Indeed, it is important to fulfill one's responsibilities, but a worthless life is not necessarily more valuable than others—since that is the case, let’s go and release these unfortunate souls. Whether they live or die is up to fate, at least we can have a clear conscience."

Xie Yun explained to her in a low voice: "The master of the living and dead mountain, known as Zhuque, is named Mu Xiao Qiao. His martial arts are unparalleled in the world, capable of striking a cow across a mountain... this is not a metaphor, it is a real mountain. He is left-handed, and his left hand has a move called 'Soul Hook Claw,' reputed to be invincible, penetrating stone as if it were tofu. His fingertips are poisoned, and a single drop of blood can seal the throat, very sinister... Pay attention, this is a once-in-a-lifetime great demon; seeing him once will bring you good fortune for three years... as long as you don't die here."

People in the martial world tend to be rough and ready, able to stand, run, and jump. Most are quite astute, having sensed danger early on; after emerging, they simply clasp their fists in gratitude towards Zhou Fei and Xie Yun before running off. There is a small group, either those who have been locked away for so long that they remain oblivious, or those with friends or relatives imprisoned in other stone cells, who, upon their release, rush forward to offer assistance, gradually forming a stream of people.

Zhou Fei rubbed her eyes; she clearly saw that the person holding the pipa was a tall man, yet the voice that spoke was unmistakably that of a woman

The mountains and fields are filled with treacherous assassins, yet only the two of them rushed to extinguish the flames along the way

The old master, whose origins are unknown, is well-versed in formations. Every piece of guidance he offers is invariably on point. He often uses the strength of others to his advantage. With a single knife, Zhou Fei maneuvers among them, as if he has conjured seven or eight additional helpers out of thin air, forming a knife formation with himself.

The old Taoist priest is quite knowledgeable, comes from a respectable background, and speaks with great refinement. Even when mentioning his sworn enemies with whom he has fought for life and death, he does not utter any harsh words. However, a reckless person nearby could not hold back and shouted: "Why is the Taoist being so polite? What 'two gentlemen'? They are clearly just two dogs raised by the old bastard!"

Zhou Fei opened her mouth, feeling somewhat at a loss for words, for Miss Wu truly was as delicate as a flower, possessing no strength whatsoever. Those ruthless individuals would not treat her any better simply because she was skilled in embroidery and could compose poetry—this principle could not be more obvious

Is this sickly person looking for a fight

At that moment, Xie Yun did not have time to defend himself, when suddenly a handful of sand flew over from the side, hitting the assailant's eyes perfectly. Seizing the opportunity, Xie Yun narrowly dodged a sword strike and shouted, "Is it necessary to resort to a sneak attack to kill me? Do you have no shame?"

This person is none other than Zhang Chenfei, the missing son of the old lady Wang! Zhou Fei is clearly following the trail of Li Sheng, who has yet to be found, but instead, she has first come across the news of the completely untraceable disciples of the Xiaoxiang Gate.

Some people remain as new acquaintances even in old age, while others feel as if they have known each other for a long time. It is uncertain whether it is because Xie Yun is too familiar, but Zhou Fei, who is not originally a lively and boisterous person, has quickly become close with Xie Yun, as if they have genuinely known each other for three years, rather than just meeting for the second time.

Xie Yun furrowed his brow, and before he could come up with a countermeasure, Zhou Fei, without needing anyone's instruction, had already charged forward with a drawn knife

"Alas, don't mention it," Zhang Chenfei said painfully as he took a sip of the antidote, momentarily at a loss for words, only managing to point with difficulty towards the stone prison beside him. Zhou Fei cut the lock and followed the direction of his finger downwards, only to find that the missing people from the forty-eight villages had gathered here.

Xie Yun: "... ..."

Chongxiaozu sighed, saying: "That Zhuque Lord has a notorious reputation, completely disregarding rules and righteousness. Although detestable, even though we have been held for such a long time, they have not indiscriminately killed us all. On the contrary, it is those two esteemed gentlemen of the Northern Dipper who are excessively ruthless."

The assailant wiped his face and was about to leap forward to pursue, but was intercepted by Zhou Fei, who had already caught up, while Xie Yun, who had narrowly escaped a calamity, cheered from the side: "hetushu.com.com Good wind, good sand, good blade"

Zhou Fei has long been accustomed to being unconventional in the Forty-Eight Villages, and her ideas have always been quite bold: "Anyway, I still have to find Li Sheng. How can I leave him here and run away? How will I explain this to my mother when I return?"

Others clearly do not have her luck, as the Vermilion Bird Master executed a move that indiscriminately affected both friend and foe, causing those within several feet of him to collapse in an instant, while those slightly farther away were also caught in the aftermath. Many who had just dispelled the Gentle Scatter, with their limbs still numb, immediately suffered misfortune, and several sustained internal injuries and coughed up blood.

Zhou Fei said without hesitation: "It is important to clarify."

Xie Yun bent down to pick up Madam Wu's young son, pressing his face against his own chest, and decisively said: "Everyone gather together, do not disperse, follow me!"

Zhou Fei nodded slightly: "My mother said your father is a great hero. Once you come to my house, you need not fear those bad people."

Zhou Fei asked casually without blinking her eyes: "Who?"

Zhou Fei: "... ..."

Zhou Fei had not closed her eyes for three days and was feeling a bit drowsy when she was suddenly surrounded by a large group of people chattering away, and she found herself holding a freshly grilled fish that someone had stuffed into her hands, startling her awake.

Zhou Fei thought that the girl was seeking comfort out of her own fear, so in order to reassure her, he deliberately said nonchalantly: "What is there to be afraid of? If I practice for another ten years, I will conquer this mountain."

The sentry in the valley also regained his senses and moved forward to intercept. The black-clad men brought by Shen Tianshu were relentless, closely following behind, and the three parties immediately became embroiled in a chaotic battle. Xie Yun turned around and saw that there were many conspicuous and troublesome followers behind him, leaving him both amused and exasperated. Just as this chatterbox was about to give a few more reminders, a sentry from the valley suddenly appeared behind him without a sound. An old Taoist priest in the nearby stone prison happened to see this and hurriedly shouted, "Be careful!"

Zhou Fei exclaimed, "What?"

As Zhou Fei made her move, she immediately felt the pressure. Although there were others assisting her, the men in black were well-trained and clearly recognized that she was the most formidable among this unfortunate group, resolutely deciding to deal with her first. The long knife in her hand was becoming increasingly burdensome, and it seemed on the verge of failing her. She couldn't help but silently lament—ever since that incident with Li Sheng when they recklessly ventured into the Ximo River, it felt as if she had been cursed by the god of poverty; any weapon that came into her hands could only be used once or twice, wearing out faster than paper. If this continued, the Forty-Eight Villages would no longer be able to support her, and she wondered if Zhou Yitang had earned enough money over the years to buy her a new knife.

Zhou Fei looked up and saw that it was Xie Yun, who had somehow freed himself from the crowd and quietly approached. Noticing that she was speaking with Miss Wu, he chose not to interrupt, instead standing a few steps away with his arms crossed, smiling warmly as he waited.

Xie Yun, not paying attention for a moment, coughed so hard that tears were almost coming out.

Just as he was trapped in a predicament, still worrying about those outside, a sudden clamor erupted from the stone chamber next door. A cascade of sand and stones fell from above, and the bouncing pebbles struck the skull of the already departed skeleton, causing the skeletal figure to tilt its head awkwardly, and its head fell off.

Zhou Fei was taken aback and turned her head to see a "wild man" clinging to the entrance of the stone prison.

The sauce for the spring pancakes... don't ask silly questions. Xie Yunshun casually made up an excuse, while simultaneously giving her a pained glance. He took the next bottle, first sniffing it, then he uttered an 'mm' sound, poured out a little, and tasted it. At first, there was a faint herbal flavor. Moments later, that hint of herbal taste suddenly surged on his tongue, and an overwhelming spiciness rushed through his mouth, instantly flooding his throat and coursing through his limbs.

This Zhuque Master is truly a scourge, a significant calamity. Although Zhou Fei does not fully understand the 'Big Dipper Seven Stars', she has heard the elders from the Forty-Eight Villages speak of it with gritted teeth, indicating that it is certainly not something good. These two sides are locked in a life-and-death struggle, and Zhou Fei is momentarily at a loss as to whom to root for. She thinks to herself: If only I had the ability, I would pin all three of them down right here.

That person did not complain, but spoke softly: "The misfortune of my family has led to the loss of all my elite subordinates on the Mountain of the Living and the Dead. Now, all I have by my side are these useless individuals. Mr. Shen's esteemed presence is here, yet I was not informed in advance, which truly reflects poorly on my hospitality"

Xie Yun paused his steps; they were now near the stone prison at the highest point, equivalent to halfway up the mountain. From his elevated position, he scanned the valley and noticed that those who had been pursuing them were now preoccupied with other matters. Instead, seven or eight black-clad members of the "Beidou" were chasing up towards the stone prison.

Then his laughter was drowned out by a deafening explosion, shaking the earth and mountains, as the flames from the valley shot up into the sky.

As Zhou Fei moved her shoulder, the blade flashed like lightning. This sentry was a legitimate disciple of the Living and Dead Mountain, not the kind of fat cook who could be easily pierced through by her knife. In just a few breaths, the two had exchanged several moves. Zhou Fei felt as if this person was like a lump of mud, once touched, it was impossible to shake off. The exchanges felt sticky and cumbersome, and her own knife seemed to be entangled by something, making it particularly uncomfortable.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Chenfei felt as if his head had split into two, and he inwardly complained: I wonder which unreliable elder brought these two children out, not keeping an eye on them; now one is running around, and the other is also running around

When Brother Chen Fei was wandering the martial world, Zhou Fei was still in the camp learning to stand in horse stance. Zhang Chen Fei regarded her as a child and, in a moment of urgency, threw a large handful of questions at her. Zhou Fei, unsure of which one to address first, asked: "How did you all end up here?"

Oh dear. Xie Yun looked at the head that had rolled on the ground for two circles with great distress, "What a sin, what a sin, who is so clumsy?"

Zhou Fei came to her senses, and before she had time to digest his words, she saw Xie Yun saying for her to leave, yet he himself was running deeper into the stone prison with the ointment he had just taken. Without a second thought, she followed him: "I will go too"

Zhou Fei inexplicably asked: "What is spring?"

Wu Chuchu's expression dimmed again: "I fear it may not be possible. I have heard that those who practice martial arts all start with foundational skills, and I might..."

His expression was exceedingly serious, causing Zhou Fei to instinctively hold her breath. Gradually, a sound of pipa emerged from the clamor of the valley, initially faint and then becoming increasingly clear, as if it were ringing right beside her, suppressing all the shouts and noise. The music was not passionate; rather, it was mournful and delicate, lingering and winding, even possessing a somewhat tenuous and intermittent quality.

Perhaps Xie Yun was born with a halo of sanctity, for during this day and night, Zhou Fei developed an inexplicable trust in him. She was quick to react, immediately covering her ears as instructed, but it was impossible to seal them perfectly. Despite her swift movements, a soft, melodic sound of a pipa still managed to reach her ears

Zhou Fei felt around her body and discovered that there was indeed a handkerchief—one that she had casually tucked away when preparing the little maid for Old Madam Wang. Xie Yun looked down and saw that the handkerchief was neatly and cleanly folded, with a corner embroidered with a cluster of forsythia flowers, seemingly exuding a faint fragrance. He suddenly realized that it was quite abrupt to directly ask the girl for the handkerchief, but fortunately, he had a thick skin and did not blush.

Zhou Fei could not help but knock on her own forehead; she should have understood this principle long ago. However, at that time, she had just entered the valley and had not yet recovered from the sight of the large-scale black prison. She was then betrayed by that plague horse, and after that, she was exhausted from fleeing and rescuing people, surprisingly not having the time to ponder it clearly.

Chong Xiaozu smiled slightly, refraining from engaging in a war of words. He clasped his fists in salute to Xie Yun and Zhou Fei, saying: "I must express my gratitude to these two young friends for their noble intentions. May I ask where your esteemed masters are from?"

Zhou Fei has been bullied by Li Jinrong since childhood, so she does not care about his slight tenderness and said: "Stop talking nonsense, it's a mess outside, quit your rambling and take a look quickly"

As his voice faded, Zhuque, the master of Mu Xiaoqiao, suddenly retreated. Two individuals unfortunately blocked his path, and he swiftly extracted their hearts, one in each hand. Mu Xiaoqiao soared several zhang away, and the spot he had just occupied was struck by a sword from Wuqu, causing the entire valley to tremble incessantly in the piercing sound of the heavy sword.

What has this madman buried underground

Wu Chuchu's face showed joy, and just as she was about to say something, her expression suddenly became somewhat awkward, and she quietly stepped aside

At this moment, the entire valley has turned into a sea of fire

He cried out in despair, "What, Sheng'er is here too? I didn't see him! Are you sure?"

"Do not rush," Xie Yun said, "Those who take the antidote first and have their strength restored should go to the outer circle, while those who take the antidote later should retreat inward. First, extinguish those torches!"

"Wu Qu." Zhou Fei heard Xie Yun whisper, "The North Star Wu Qu Tong Kai Yang has also arrived."

Zhou Fei was suddenly jolted, involuntarily raising her head to see Mu Xiao Qiao's face, her lips stained with a hint of red, as if she were holding a mouthful of blood, her cold eyes cast down. At that moment, something suddenly flickered beside her face, and Zhou Fei abruptly came to her senses, realizing it was the old Taoist who had been guarding her, gently tapping her shoulder with a feather duster-like whisk. Zhou Fei's heart raced as she noticed that she was not the only one affected by the roar of the great demon; even Shen Tianshu was momentarily frozen. Just then, a deep, thunderous rumble suddenly erupted from the valley beneath her feet, as if something were trying to break free from underground, and at the same time, an indescribable scent began to permeate the air.

Oh," Zhou Fei extended her hand, "Give it to me."

The prisoners in the stone prison, the sentries running across the mountains, and the mysterious Mr. Shen's men in black all fell silent as chickens, too preoccupied to run or fight, holding their breath in anticipation of hearing Mu Xiao Qiao speak

Zhang Chenfei saw Zhou Fei hesitating for a moment, still looking around at something, and hurriedly urged, "A Fei, hurry up, there is no one over there!"

At his command, everyone hurried to pick up the small stones on the ground, each displaying their skills in concealed weapons, striking at the nearby torches. In an instant, darkness enveloped the area, and everyone was not foolish; they immediately understood Xie Yun's intention—there were not many of them, and they were not particularly conspicuous, fully qualified to act as a fish that slipped through the net. As long as they eliminated the first wave of pursuers, the two groups following would be engaged in a dog-eat-dog scenario, and for a while, they would not notice their presence, perhaps allowing them to escape unnoticed.

Zhou Fei raised her sleeve to wipe the blood splattered on her chin, and before the fleeting pleasure of breaking through her confusion could spread, she turned her face and saw more and more people gathering around. She then poked Xie Yun with the back of her knife and said, "You only know how to run, stop talking nonsense and get out of the way."

The crowd exchanged glances for a moment, recalling the good and bad people, heroes and villains of that valley, and it seemed that they were all familiar with each other. In the end, it turned out that only these few individuals had fortuitously escaped. It was unclear who laughed first, but that laughter spread like a plague; in just a moment, everyone went mad, some laughing heartily, some shedding tears, and others still lost in confusion.

It turned out that when they passed through Dongting, they heard that Old Man Huo was hosting a banquet. Zhang Chenfei and his companions were supposed to pay a visit, but they were tasked with escorting someone and were concerned that with too many people around, something might happen to the esteemed guests. Zhang Chenfei, being meticulous in his duties, sent someone to greet the Huo family at the fortress. However, before the person could reach the Huo family fortress, he was detained. Consequently, their group was ambushed and imprisoned here, and to this day, they have not understood the reason behind it

"Crying makeup," Xie Yun said softly

Zhou Fei possessed a certain composure of being able to take things up and put them down. This matter was handled in a muddled way, but she thought that it would be fine to change it next time. In the midst of the chaos, she was not overly regretful and even expressed a sense of relief to Zhang Chenfei, saying: "It is better that the burden is not here."

Zhou Fei paused for a moment and asked the shameless "human-shaped mantis" before her, "Why am I considered half an intimate friend?"

Those who could stay by Xie Yun's side were basically the ones who had not left during that time, following him to save others. Therefore, at this moment, without needing anyone's instructions, they instinctively began to carry and support the elderly, weak, sick, and disabled. They hurriedly traveled through approximately 20 li overnight, and Xie Yun finally relented and agreed to stop for a rest. For a moment, no one cared about their image; this group of heroes from all corners of the world lay exhausted on the ground, wishing they could take root in the soil, lying there for eternity without moving again.

Zhou Fei quickly caught up with him, while loosening the locks on the stone prison doors one by one, trying her best not to directly look at the heroes and brave men who were licking the prison doors in various postures... Some of these brave men, perhaps unaccustomed to spicy food, would finish licking and then cry out in pain and chatter in a chaotic manner, creating quite a lively scene

She pushed aside Xie Yun, struck the lock of the stone prison door that held the old Taoist priest with two blows, and said earnestly: "Thank you for your guidance, Daoist."

Xie Yun extended his hand to stop her and said solemnly, "Step back, the one who comes is not friendly"

Not long after Zhuque rebelled and left the Living and Dead Mountain, he found this place and concocted a new den for himself. The group of people he captured were not all taken at the same time, each with their own untold stories. Mu Xiao Qiao seemed to have a penchant for keeping captives; judging by his ruthless nature that even led him to steal horses, it was certain that he did not capture so many people for nothing, likely seeking someone to extort. In comparison, the operations of the Forty-Eight Villages, which involved renting land to farm and occasionally trading with the common folk at the foot of the mountain, were simply incompetent as a form of 'underworld' activity.

Xie Yun was taken aback: "Wait..."

Pausing for a moment, she recalled the lively scene of the Forty-Eight Villages and couldn't help but describe it in detail to Miss Wu. Zhou Fei had never witnessed the grandeur of the ten-mile song in Jinling, nor had she experienced the solemn majesty of the former capital of the Northern Dynasties; she was a complete country bumpkin, believing in her heart that the Forty-Eight Villages were the most prosperous and wonderful place in the world. Wu Chuchu did not mock her; instead, she felt a tinge of melancholy. No matter how prosperous the world was, it had nothing to do with her. Having left her hometown, she would have to rely on the protection of others to survive. She envied everyone in the world who had a home or something to reminisce about. In a soft voice, she asked Zhou Fei, "When we get to the Forty-Eight Villages, will I... will I be able to learn martial arts too?"

The martial arts of Mu Xiao Qiao and Shen Tian Shu were roughly on par with each other, but with the arrival of "Wu Qu" Tong Kai Yang, the situation immediately turned. Mu Xiao Qiao swept her pipa horizontally from her chest, colliding with Tong Kai Yang's heavy sword, which shattered in an instant, sending fragments flying in all directions. The Vermilion Bird Master slightly tilted his head back, opened his arms, and his wide sleeves fell down like butterfly wings. He seemed to exert no effort at all as he floated upwards, raising his voice to proclaim: "Departing one—"

Finally, Zhou Fei found a pile of food delivery boxes, next to which stood a cabinet about half a person's height

It turns out that the "Wu Qu" Tong Kaiyang did not come alone; he simply moved too quickly, leaving all his subordinates behind. Only at this moment did the large troop of Wu Qu aggressively surge into the valley. Coincidentally, the individuals who had scattered and fled after being released by Zhou Fei happened to collide head-on with this group of killing machines. Those unfortunate souls had not fully dispelled the effects of the drugs in their systems and had almost no ability to fight back, being crushed in an instant. Those who had just thought they had escaped death found themselves severed in body and head in the blink of an eye. The narrow valley was filled with blood, and everywhere was a scene of slaughter. It was unclear which side had started shooting arrows first; within the valley, some were hacked to death, some shot dead, and others trampled to death by galloping horses in the chaos.

Zhang Chenfei angrily said: "What are you doing again?"

This thought was fleeting; she engaged in self-reflection and deemed it not only fanciful but also somewhat shameful to entertain the idea of the name "Zhou Fei," which is well-known throughout the world, and thus set it aside once more

At this moment, the old Taoist suddenly spoke up: "Little girl, walk three steps back from the threshold and hang the mysterious door."

Xie Yun shattered the porcelain bottle containing the antidote, at which point there was no need to concern himself with cleanliness. He applied the ointment at the entrance of each stone cell.

As his voice faded, a figure suddenly appeared on the distant mountain peak. Zhou Fei had excellent night vision and discerned that it was a man with broad shoulders and a narrow waist, holding a pipa in his arms, with disheveled hair and flowing garments, as if he could soar into the night wind at any moment. The pipa's sound, which was like weeping and lamenting, suddenly paused; the man stood with his violin, glancing down the mountain. In just two or three moments, he had already descended along the long ridge.

As she spoke, she stopped, standing with the knife in hand, allowing a few fellow travelers who were running behind to pass first, while she trailed at the end

Xie Yun suddenly said: "Cover your ears."

Having escaped death, the people were willing to eat even grass roots and tree bark, leaving no room for dissent. A few men, having caught their breath, spontaneously stood up and went off to catch fish and hunt. Several campfires were quickly lit, and after being confined in the stone prison for so long, there was a sense of carefree joy under the open sky.

These people have faced life-and-death situations and are well aware of the dangers. That Mu Xiao Qiao likely has enemies everywhere. Since she has been prepared for a long time, it is impossible that she does not have a backup plan. As for Shen Tian Shu and Tong Kai Yang, they can be described as "calamities that last for a thousand years." Back in the day, even the ruthless Liang Shao could not eliminate the two of them, so it is unlikely that they could truly be burned to a crisp by a single fire. If this continues, they might unexpectedly encounter those few indiscriminate killing gods again.

She casually uttered this sentence, yet Miss Wu inexplicably felt a wave of sadness rise within her, nearly bringing her to tears. Meanwhile, Xie Yun, who was leaning against the door directing the crowd, couldn't help but glance back at Zhou Fei upon hearing this, his usually smiling eyes dimming slightly, as if he was reminded of something.

Miss Wu carefully washed her hands and face by the pond, and also washed the handkerchief that Zhou Fei used to deliver medicine to them, hanging it to dry on a small branch nearby. All around her were gentlemen exuding an indescribable scent, leaving her with no choice but to sit beside Zhou Fei

She is still young, and even if she has been practicing since birth, her internal strength has not accumulated to a significant depth, making it normal for her to be unable to endure prolonged battles. If her opponents are numerous or of comparable skill, she will find herself in a passive position. The Broken Snow Blade was completed by the old village chief Li when he was forty years old; at that time, he was not yet old, and his experience and accumulation were already extremely profound, representing the peak of his life. Therefore, the Broken Snow Blade is extremely fierce and brutal. Zhou Fei's innate conditions are not particularly favorable, and she finds it difficult to execute more than half of the nine styles of the Broken Snow Blade—yet this does not mean she is ordinary. The Broken Snow Blade was completed by the old village chief Li when he was forty years old; at that time, he was not yet old, and his experience and accumulation were already extremely profound, representing the peak of his life. Therefore, the Broken Snow Blade is extremely fierce and brutal. Zhou Fei's innate conditions are not particularly favorable, and she finds it difficult to execute more than half of the nine styles of the Broken Snow Blade—yet this does not mean she is ordinary.

You must pay attention, for this is a once-in-a-lifetime great demon. To see him once means you will have good fortune for the next three years... as long as you do not die here

Zhou Fei was nearly overwhelmed by the deafening noise, feeling as if her heart and lungs might be expelled. A buzzing filled her ears, rendering her unable to hear anything for a moment. Some of the weaker individuals nearby simply collapsed to the ground. Xie Yun shouted a couple of times, only to realize he could not even hear his own voice. He had no choice but to endure the discomfort and hurriedly gestured, forcing them to get up and leave this place of turmoil as quickly as possible

Zhou Fei glanced at her, tore off half of the fish that had not been eaten, and shared it with her, casually asking, "What is your name?"

Zhou Fei saw the girl shivering so much that her sleeves were trembling, and the child looked as if she wanted to cry but dared not. Therefore, she placed the long knife behind her back, took a bit of ointment with a clean handkerchief, and handed it to her.

Someone boasted about her with great enthusiasm: "This girl, at such a young age, truly wields a remarkable knife. I witnessed it myself; with just a few swift movements, she drove back that fierce North Star wolf dog!"

Suddenly, the ground shook violently, and the sound of intermittent screams came from not far away

The manner in which the person walked was quite peculiar, with small, light steps that were astonishingly graceful, yet he moved at an incredibly fast pace, as if gliding like flowing clouds and flowing water, and in the blink of an eye, he arrived at the center of the valley. Wherever he went, the two groups of people who had been fighting fiercely like crows were now retreating in fear and caution.

Xie Yun's tense shoulders suddenly relaxed as he softly said: "So it turns out to be a senior from the 'Qi Men'"

Zhou Fei was taken aback, as the old Taoist had unexpectedly articulated the doubts that had been troubling her for days. Years ago, she had seen a few moves of the Broken Snow Blade from Old Yu, and she had learned them on the spot, integrating them into her other martial arts. Although it was not authentic, it surprisingly impressed Li Jinrong, who then passed the blade techniques onto her. After that, she repeatedly traced the nine forms of the Broken Snow in her mind, awed by the unparalleled chill emanating from them. In her attempt to imitate, she found herself constrained and somewhat like a dog that failed to resemble a tiger.

Mr. Shen said: "May I ask the Zhuque master to sever his meridians, while leaving behind one left hand?"

The only issue is that among this group of people, there are barely seven or eight who can put up a fight, and only Zhou Fei possesses a decent knife. She certainly cannot manage alone; not to mention that she has been jumping around for two days and nights and is currently very fatigued, even at her peak, it would be impossible for her to withstand the seven or eight skilled subordinates of "Beidou".

At that moment, someone asked: "How did the Daoist priest fall into the hands of that demon?"

Zhuque raised her hand to smooth her hair at the temples and said softly, "I am a minor character of little consequence, born into a life of hardship, making a living in the world of wandering. I have no past grievances with Mr. Shen, nor any recent enmity. If you have any tasks for me, please just give the order; there is no need for such a grand display."

The Vermilion Bird gently plucked the strings of the pipa with its fingertips: "Please listen attentively."

A person noticed something was amiss and attempted to flee, but Xie Yun shouted, "Stop him!"

"What are you following me for? If it weren't for this tube of ointment in my hand, feeling uneasy, I would have left long ago. Are you stupid?" Xie Yun said with an irritated tone, continuing to walk. He then noticed that Zhou Fei was ignoring his words, so he provoked her, saying, "If you keep following me, take the ointment with you and go detoxify these burdens. I can leave now."

At that moment, an unexpected incident occurred in the valley

Two voices sounded simultaneously in Zhou Fei's ears, one belonging to the Taoist and the other to Xie Yun. The two seemed to share a tacit understanding, as one grasped Zhou Fei's arm and simultaneously pulled her back with force.

After her father passed away, no one nagged her to study anymore. Most of what she had learned in her early years had been forgotten, leaving only a vague impression of many things. Hearing the old Taoist speak in an obscure manner, she suddenly felt a bit bewildered

What is there that cannot be done? Even if you practice martial arts, you may not be as skilled as some who have been learning since childhood, but at least you will be better than you are now. Go back and find..." Zhou Fei initially wanted to say "find my mother," but then remembered that Li Dazhang is extremely busy with affairs and may not have the time. So she changed her words and said, "Find my family’s Granny Wang. She has a very good temper and is kind-hearted, so she will definitely be willing to teach you."

Xie Yun paused his steps, not applying the antidote to the door as he had done for others. He courteously performed a gesture of respect towards the woman who was trying to maintain her composure, saying: "Madam, this place is dangerous, and we must leave quickly. The antidote that has been dispersed may not taste pleasant, so I kindly ask everyone to bear with it."

Zhou Fei indeed had some experience with the Broken Snow Blade, yet she considered her skills to be quite lacking. Having witnessed firsthand the ability of this group of heroes to spread rumors, she feared that the next day there would be nonsensical talk of "on a certain day of a certain month, the Broken Snow Blade challenged the Greedy Wolf to the east and cut down the Martial Star to the west." In a hurry, she denied it, saying, "No, no, my talent is poor, and the leader of the Broken Snow Blade is unwilling to pass on the techniques."

The "Dadao Mantis" applied the antidote at the entrance of a stone prison, urging the person to run quickly. Turning back, he gestured above Zhou Fei's head and said seriously, "Because you probably are not even five feet tall yet"

Chongxiaozu waved his hand and said: "I am ashamed; my skills in the art are lacking, and I inadvertently followed someone else's path."

Outside, it was utter chaos, with people biting each other, dogs attacking dogs, and the black-clad men engaged in a fierce battle with the sentinels in the valley. As Zhou Fei rushed out, she immediately encountered several sentinels in the valley. Just as she tightened her wrist to prepare for combat, those sentinels, in their dazed state, noticed that she was not wearing black clothing and surprisingly ran past her without a second glance

At this moment, the night sky remains undisturbed by the Morning Star, with the vast expanse of stars resembling a brocade.

A young lady's given name is usually not something one should let others know. Zhou Fei, a rough girl who has been fighting since childhood, did not know to be discreet and boldly asked in front of a group of people. Fortunately, she is a girl; otherwise, she would surely be regarded as a lecherous man.

In the valley, the lights are bright, and the "great monster" is not one with a green face and sharp teeth; rather, it appears somewhat slender. The profile illuminated by the firelight is strikingly handsome, with a fair complexion, and it is difficult to discern its gender. The only notable feature is the thin lips, which are smeared with several layers of rouge, a deep crimson, reminiscent of the mountain spirit hidden deep within the bamboo groves in Qu Yuan's "Chuci".

After General Wu's death, Miss Wu first followed her mother in hiding, then experienced a period of wandering and hardship, and ultimately found herself imprisoned alongside many rough individuals. For days on end, countless guards in the mountains deliberately loitered at the entrance of their stone cell, peering in with impunity. She was filled with fear and shame, wishing she could die by crashing her head against something, yet she understood that her mother and younger brother were likely not feeling any better than she was. The three of them exchanged glances every day, none daring to show even a hint of weakness. Yet she understood that her mother and younger brother were likely not feeling any better than she was. The three of them exchanged glances every day, none daring to show even a hint of weakness

This time, the elder took into account Zhou Fei's lack of learning and spoke in a more human manner. Without a moment's hesitation, Zhou Fei swung her knife horizontally. The man in black in front of her quickly leaped to dodge, inadvertently blocking his companion behind him. Zhou Fei took a step forward, using the force of her spin to give a sharp reprimand, and the back of her knife struck the man in black squarely.

In a cell further inside, three individuals were confined: a woman with a sickly appearance, a young child, and a girl about the same age as Zhou Fei, presumably the family of General Wu who had been brought back from Zhongnan Mountain by Zhang Chenfei and others. These ladies, who usually never stepped outside their doors, were already terrified and at a loss upon hearing the cries and chaos in the valley. Suddenly, a large group of ragged men rushed in, making it impossible for them to discern who was there to rescue them and who harbored ill intentions. The girl let out a frightened "ah" and was shielded behind the frail woman.

At this moment, the old priest who had just spoken up reminded, "Little girl, drawing a knife to cut the water only makes it flow more; do not be hasty."

The white bones remain silent.

Xie Yun, who was suffering from the spiciness, almost knelt down upon hearing such "naive words" from her. She hurriedly said, "No, no, just apply a little under your nose or on the tip of your tongue; eating it by the spoonful could be fatal... What is the situation outside now?"

She didn't even touch a single hair of the big wolf dog, yet she fed it a steamed bun

Zhou Fei leaned against a large tree, sitting on the ground, her mind still in disarray. The sounds of swords clashing and explosions echoed in her ears. Before her eyes, there were moments filled with the dark figures of the "Big Dipper" night travelers, followed by the fiery glow and bloodshed throughout the valley. At times, the ephemeral formation was automatically deduced in her mind, leaving her overwhelmed and busy, while her heart raced uncontrollably. She felt as if the past few months descending the mountain had lasted longer than her entire life.

At this moment, Xie Yun in the underground stone prison had been half-asleep and half-awake for a long time. Finally, he opened his eyes amidst the overwhelming sounds of shouting and killing. Although he could not see the scene outside, he could roughly imagine it from the sounds. He supported himself against the cold stone wall to stand up; his legs felt a bit weak, but he did not hurry his steps. He slowly walked to the side of the wall where there was a hole, leaned against the wall, and whispered to the bones next door: "A plain dress and a simple hairpin cannot conceal a beauty that could topple a city; fasting and chanting cannot hide an ambition that is glaringly obvious. Why do some people always think they can deceive the heavens and cross the sea? Huo Liantao is truly a fool, isn't he?" He supported himself against the cold stone wall to stand up; his legs felt a bit weak, but he did not hurry his steps. He slowly walked to the side of the wall where there was a hole, leaned against the wall, and whispered to the bones next door: "A plain dress and a simple hairpin cannot conceal a beauty that could topple a city; fasting and chanting cannot hide an ambition that is glaringly obvious. Why do some people always think they can deceive the heavens and cross the sea? Huo Liantao is truly a fool, isn't he?"

Miss Wu stared blankly at the knife in Zhou Fei's hand and suddenly asked without thinking: "Aren't you afraid?"

The spicy sensation swept over him like a wave, overwhelming the gentle warmth entwined in his bones, as if a whip had struck him awake, and the strength that had been absent for an unknown duration gradually returned to his body. Xie Yun struggled to raise a hand and, in a hoarse voice, said to Zhou Fei: "It is... it is this."

At that moment, with a "clang," a stone prison door on the mountainside opened by itself. Zhou Fei widened her eyes in surprise—wasn't it the senior who liked to speak in alarmist tones that was locked inside that stone prison?

Most of the so-called "disciples" in gangs, after entering, are merely taught some superficial and rudimentary martial arts by senior disciples. In daily life, they are not much different from ordinary laborers, and in a fight, they are merely cannon fodder. It is entirely normal for the cook to be stabbed through by her focused strike.

Madam Wu's complexion was pale, and she said with difficulty, "I dare not, it is too much trouble."

Xie Yun's expression suddenly changed: "Chess move—Shen Tianshu?"

Zhou Fei thought: If I am afraid, what will they do? Never mind, let's fight our way out.

Xie Yun was choked by her words, yet with matters having come to this point, further talk was futile. He could only take the small bottles that Zhou Fei passed through the small hole one by one: "Summer-avoiding pill, intestinal dispersing powder, golden wound powder, and here is a bottle of crane top red. What is this? Spring... hissing, where did you run off to? Why did you take everything?"

Zhou Fei understood this and immediately retreated to the side of the rock upon hearing the sound. The man in black surged forward to block her path. The old Taoist shouted loudly: "To the left, cut off his feet!"

Zhou Fei took a few steps forward and asked, "Senior Brother Chen Fei, have you seen Li Sheng?"

Mr. Shen is truly putting me in a difficult position. After a while, Mu Xiao Qiao finally spoke up, surprisingly not in a hurry, and still politely said, "Alas, what is a blessing is not a disaster, and what is a disaster cannot be avoided. Since it is this way, I can only experience a bit of it."

However, upon a moment's reflection, I found this thought somewhat amusing—if she had the strength to contend with any one of these three, would she need to flee in such a disheveled and panicked manner?

In the next moment, he seemed to float away as if a gust of wind had risen beneath his feet, laughing heartily as he evaded Zhou Fei's intolerable strike.

He charged into the darkness with this group of people, passing through the stone prisons on both sides, and turned onto the upward path—that was the escape route he had originally planned for Zhou Fei. It turned out that this fellow had already made up his mind; this route, taken in a circle, was a direct ascent, combining both rescue and escape, with an exceptionally smooth path, not a single detour taken.

He slightly lowered his head and adjusted his robe, performing a woman's courtesy. Then he gently sighed—a sigh from others is merely a puff of breath, perhaps accompanied by a slap on the thigh, but his sigh was prolonged, almost like a song, with lingering echoes that did not dissipate for a while. Zhou Fei instinctively followed suit, taking a slight breath, always feeling that he would follow with a long note.

However, which of the major sects does not cherish its own broom

The black-clad man who was called out turned to look upon hearing this, only to find nothing behind him. He had no time to react before Zhang Chenfei caught up and struck him on the top of the head with a palm. This was a vital point; even if Zhang Chenfei's strength was insufficient, it was enough to ensure his death. Xie Yun and the old Taoist worked well together, with some providing guidance and others spouting nonsense. Using a knife held by Zhou Fei, everyone joined in with fists, feet, and heavy stones, and in the blink of an eye, they managed to kill seven or eight of these black-clad men.

Fortunately, she was a young girl, and the heroes were too embarrassed to constantly engage her in conversation. Zhou Fei let out a sigh of relief, silently blending in among her senior brothers in the camp, and quietly explained to them why she had come down the mountain with Old Madam Wang, how Li Cheng had been captured, and how she had pursued him. Now that Senior Brother Chen Fei had been found, all the trivial matters regarding how to leave the next morning, whom to contact first, and how to meet with Old Madam Wang were entrusted to him. Zhou Fei only needed to follow along, which eased her mind, allowing her to half-listen to the various heroes boasting.

The old man stroked his beard and smiled, exuding a kind demeanor. Zhou Fei intended to speak a few more words to him when suddenly, a voice from a nearby stone prison exclaimed in surprise, "Is that you, Ah Fei?"

At that moment, a long howl suddenly echoed from afar, the sound was extremely piercing, resembling the mournful cry of a wild wolf on the prairie, stabbing into the ears and causing waves of discomfort. It rose and fell in three distinct notes, and a figure appeared at this end of the valley

It was a female voice, clear as the spring water striking the stone gate in the mountains, resonating gently, passing through the ears, reaching the depths of the heart, permeating the bones, and causing one to tremble uncontrollably

Aside from Xie Yun, who could see through his origins at a glance, everyone else was taken aback—"Qimen" is on par with "Quanzhen," "Wudang," and "Qingyun," collectively known as the Four Great Sects. Among them, the people of Qimen are reclusive and skilled in formations, akin to a cunning rabbit with three burrows, rarely venturing into the martial world. Apart from the master’s Daoist title having some renown, the others are essentially legends, and one might go a lifetime without encountering a living person from Qimen, especially since the character "Chong" is associated with the current master of Qimen.

Mu Xiaoqiao laughed heartily behind him

The "Forty-Eight Villages" is quite famous outside, and when Brother Chen Fei finally spoke, it was as if a pot had exploded, with the sound of "I've long admired you" rising and falling, accompanied by various praises.

Senior Brother Chen Fei laughed and said, "You are truly impressive, even arranging a job for my mother."

Zhou Fei was momentarily taken aback upon hearing his question—she suddenly remembered that at that time, she had not actually seen where Li Sheng was; she had only seen those two masked men stealing his horse and had rashly followed them all the way! Indeed, those two had led the horse and run such a long distance; where had they left Li Sheng? Unless they had other accomplices who had gone ahead, otherwise such a large person could not possibly be stuffed into a bundle and casually carried away... It also seemed strange to have accomplices... Is it necessary to split up when robbing a horse? Unless they had other accomplices who had gone ahead, otherwise such a large person could not possibly be stuffed into a bundle and casually carried away... It also seemed strange to have accomplices... Is it necessary to split up when robbing a horse?

Xie Yun shook his head with a smile, but then recalled something, and a hint of worry finally appeared on his face. He said, "This disaster has come earlier than I imagined. That little girl really knows how to pick her timing. Do you think she can escape?"

Zhou Fei has long been engaged in a battle with the ink-washing machine in the pitch-black waters of the Ink-Washing River. Her skills in observing her surroundings and listening attentively have reached a level of mastery. When she noticed the approaching figures in black, she made a swift decision to abandon them and escape.

However, both the enemy and our own "general" have limited patience, and no one is listening to him

He was the one who released all the prisoners from the stone prison. At this moment, with a single command, everyone instinctively followed him. The people from the forty-eight strongholds gathered spontaneously, surrounding Madam Wu and her daughter in the center. This small group of people resembled fish that had strayed from the school in a great river, gradually forming a gang.

Li Jinrong once stated that General Wu's family members were esteemed guests of the Forty-Eight Villages. The three of them, a mother and her two children, were either very young or very weak, entirely lacking the ability to protect themselves, heavily weighing down on her sword's back. The girl's frightened expression struck Zhou Fei's eyes, inexplicably sweeping away Zhou Fei's earlier feelings of self-deprecation and the lingering sense of unwillingness that floated in the air.

Zhou Fei waved his hand at him: "I will hold the rear."

Zhou Fei believed she had seen various martial arts, yet it was the first time she realized that someone could deliver such a strike using a prosthetic limb. She had never witnessed such a top-tier expert in action before, and for a moment, she forgot the pain in her chest, watching intently—within moments, the two had exchanged over a hundred moves. The master of the Vermilion Bird, Mu Xiao Qiao, moved gracefully, yet her strikes were as lethal as a venomous snake. Mr. Shen did not employ as many tricks; at first glance, there seemed to be an element of stillness overcoming motion and strength overcoming skill in his approach, but there was another layer of mystery in his steps. Zhou Fei could not discern what that mystery was at the moment, so she could only commit it to memory.

These individuals possess martial skills superior to hers and have more experience, yet they all appear quite disheveled; it is fortunate if they can escape at all, and most are unarmed. Zhou Fei feels it is her duty to hold the rear. The old Taoist who had just given her guidance let out a hearty laugh and also came to a halt: "Very well, I shall lend you a helping hand."

Upon seeing this, Zhou Fei no longer delayed, casually picked up the skull of the white bone and placed it back in its original position, reattaching it as it had been before.

Then the "wild man" tossed aside his messy hair, revealing a face that even his own mother could hardly recognize, and shouted at her: "Hey, what kind of look is that? Even Senior Brother Chen Fei doesn't recognize you! What's going on? Why did you come here alone? Who did you come with? Does your mother know?"

Zhou Fei: "How ... ... "

Xie Yun hurriedly said: "Do you see that large rock? Lean against it with your back!"

Since General Wu was framed by treacherous individuals, the Wu family has fallen into decline. Nevertheless, the family fortune still remains, and Miss Wu is a proper young lady of a distinguished family. However, despite the beauty of the landscape, there is no place to call home. It is unfortunate that she was born at the wrong time, and the fallen "young lady" cannot exchange her status for two large coins.

Xie Yun found it utterly incomprehensible: "Is your mother not your real mother? Is your life more important or is it more important to 'explain'?"

Zhou Fei: "... ..."

Just as she began to overthink due to the overwhelming pressure, Xie Yun, who was in front of her, suddenly came to a halt

This self-description is quite unconventional, sounding like a large mantis.

In an instant, she became enlightened, and the knife in her hand changed its moves at will. The blade was held extremely low, and with a gentle upward flick from below, it precisely struck between the man's hands. The assailant's entire skill relied on the alternation between his left and right hands, but she disrupted his rhythm, causing his movements to falter immediately. In his panic, he leaned back, only to feel a chill at his chest

They had a hard time escaping the valley, and they must not let their guard down here under any circumstances

Mr. Shen, upon hearing this, spoke in a deep voice: "There is indeed one matter I wish to request."

At that moment, Zhou Fei felt as if she had experienced a "chest-crushing blow," with her internal organs shaken several times, leaving her feeling dizzy and nauseous

Zhou Fei was filled with thoughts of human skin and felt irritated by such frivolous talk of romance and beauty. She immediately interrupted him angrily, saying: "What nonsense is this!"

At that moment, she instinctively rested Li Sheng's head on the bear's body, causing herself to shiver in fear

Zhou Fei almost doubted whether she had killed the wrong person, yet at this point, even if she had indeed made a mistake, she did not dare to delay any further. She bent down to drag the cook's corpse into the kitchen and, following the methods of her senior brother Deng Zhen and the others, clumsily yet meticulously dealt with the traces on the ground. Then she turned around, bolted the kitchen door, washed her hands casually with water from the water tank, took out the remaining steamed bun, and while nibbling on it, turned the kitchen upside down.

Xie Yun said that the gentle dispersal is a medicinal horse, but it is uncertain whether he is just making things up again. In any case, its effect on people does not seem to be that strong. A little antidote may not necessarily restore the abilities of many, but at least it allows them to stand up comfortably.

As she listened, Zhou Fei became somewhat distracted. In the past, she had always been preoccupied with surpassing Li Jinrong, but now, a new thought suddenly emerged—twenty years ago, when the Forty-Eight Villages were mentioned, everyone spoke of her grandfather's name. Now, when the name of the Forty-Eight Villages is brought up, people only talk about "Li the Great Leader" and his broken snow knife. So... when will people think of "Zhou Fei" whenever the Forty-Eight Villages are mentioned?

Even if it were Li Sheng, had he not been in a state of emotional turmoil at that time, and had those two masked individuals not launched a despicable surprise attack, he would not have fallen into the hands of these people

The hand was unnaturally outstretched, yet there was not a single drop of blood at the severed end. A middle-aged man, resembling a consumptive ghost, stood motionless with a face as cold as water, his sleeves billowing without wind, covering the mangled left wrist.

The old Taoist priest chuckled and introduced himself first: "I, the poor Taoist, hail from the 'Qimen' sect, with the Taoist name of Chongxiaozu. Today, I am fortunate to share a bond of life and death with all of you."

Xie Yun exclaimed, "Oh, so it is the 'Falling Flowers and Flowing Water Sword' that alternates between the left and right hand wielding the sword?"

Zhou Fei was bewildered and did not understand what was happening, being dragged along as they ran. They were like a herd of untamed wild horses, desperately charging down the hillside path from this side of the mountain.

Zhou Fei could not help but slightly tiptoe, wanting to see how many noses and mouths this legendary "great monster" that could reach into people's hearts with bare hands had.

Mr. Shen, who was halfway up the mountain, suddenly leaped down. When he stood there, he resembled a frostbitten eggplant, but this leap was akin to a fierce bird pouncing on a rabbit, as he struck down with a palm that seemed to bear the weight of Mount Tai upon the head of the Vermilion Bird Master. The corner of the Vermilion Bird Master's mouth curled into a slight smile, and with a sudden movement, his five fingers transformed into claws, gripping Mr. Shen's wrist tightly. The stones on the ground could not withstand the force of the two great masters, and a large area instantly shattered.

At that moment, a sudden commotion erupted outside, accompanied by the sharp and chaotic whinnies of horses. Zhou Fei was startled and opened the window a crack, seeing that the stable not far away was ablaze, with flames shooting into the sky. She did not know who had set the fire and released the horses, but it was almost identical to the "wicked deeds that heroes commit," perfectly executing the plan she had temporarily set aside

The foolish girl is still watching the excitement! Xie Yun raised his hand and slapped the back of her head, "Don't you know that 'Tian Shu' is one of the Big Dipper stars, also known as 'Tan Lang Star'? Since he has come, none of the people present today will escape; he is definitely here to silence them. While he is currently entangled with Mu Xiao Qiao, we must hurry and leave!"

"I will compensate you later," Xie Yunfei said quickly, "Hurry up and leave!"

Zhou Fei originally thought that the desolate village they encountered along the way, which had been repeatedly plundered, was already tragic. Little did she know that there was such a scene, causing her hands and feet to turn icy cold. Everyone was momentarily stunned in shock. Madam Wu felt her legs go weak and nearly collapsed, but her youngest son calling out "Mother" brought her back to her senses, and she managed to hold on without fainting.

The martial art known as "Mayfly Formation" is, strictly speaking, a form of lightness skill that subtly aligns with the eight trigrams and directions. One person can create the formation, making it particularly suitable for overcoming a larger number of opponents with fewer individuals. It is said that the founding ancestor of the "Qi Sect" was capable of defeating thousands with just one. Zhou Fei often accompanied the Qianji in the Ximo River and was unafraid of such encirclements. She quickly grasped the essence of the Mayfly Formation, maneuvering around the stones and surprisingly managing to restrain many of her enemies.

"It's nothing," Zhou Fei said to Miss Wu, "I'm not afraid."

Only then did the middle-aged man, resembling a consumptive, slowly emerge from within. His figure was somewhat hunched, with his hands clasped behind his back, and he appeared increasingly listless. He looked down from a height at the person holding the guqin, coughed a few times, and said: "Uninvited guest, I apologize for the disturbance. I hope the Lord Zhuque is well."

He actually buried kerosene underground

Zhou Fei: "Ah?"

He coughed lightly without reaching out to take it, but instead handed her the ointment in his hand and said: "Use a little through the handkerchief, it will be more appropriate for you to deliver it in that way"

Xie Yun shook his head and commented: "Although the swordsmanship is not yet perfected, it is already quite impressive with its bold and expansive style."

Senior Brother Chen Fei stepped forward to help her out, introduced himself, and then raised a hand to gently press down on Zhou Fei's head, saying: "This is my junior sister from the village. Although she often causes trouble, it is commendable that she can also handle some serious matters."

Miss Wu's gaze swept over a circle of unfamiliar men, and the men from the Forty-Eighth Village tactfully turned their faces away, pretending not to hear. Her face flushed, and like a mosquito, she whispered to Zhou Fei, "My name is Chu Chu"

In fact, Zhou Fei is just starting out and is unclear about her own abilities

As he spoke, he tried to catch his breath and directly leaped up along the grass rope that had been lowered during the meal delivery. Although his blood circulation was still somewhat sluggish, he was no longer in a semi-paralyzed state. He removed the hairpin that was holding his hair up; it was made of a rare material known as dark iron, which was neither gold, jade, wood, nor bone. The tip was very sharp, quite different from the hairpins used by men nowadays. It was unclear what nefarious purpose it served in daily life, but in no time at all, he managed to dislodge the lock on top.

Xie Yun's lightness of movement is unknown in terms of its origins, almost bordering on the uncanny. Zhou Fei suspects that he might have a lot of air infused in his bones, as he runs effortlessly, resembling a thin piece of paper swept away by a strong wind. She was already struggling to keep up, and with the burden of a large knife, she was quickly out of breath. The most critical issue was that after making such a wide circle, she still could not find Li Cheng.

Zhou Fei: "... ..."

Xie Yun clearly saw Zhou Fei returning, and suddenly his expression changed. She was left with only a bare knife in her hand, the sheath unknown to have fallen where, and not only had she engaged in a fight, but she had probably been hacking her way back all along. He rarely lost his smile, and for a moment, he revealed a hint of sternness: "Did I not tell you to leave? Why have you come back again?"

The "Soul Hook Claw" suddenly exerted force, and then the master of the Vermilion Bird slightly changed color, letting out a soft "Eh". With a turn, he had already floated several zhang away, holding something in his hand—he had forcefully pulled off Mr. Shen's hand at the wrist!

Xie Yun took the opportunity to say from the side: "That elder brother, stop the third person from the left... Senior, don't be so chivalrous, strike him from behind with a hammer!"

Then she did not leave immediately, lingering in place for a moment, contemplating whether she had overlooked anything.

Practicing martial arts is not the same as studying—regardless of studying, one must first be able to afford the teacher's fees and provide for the four treasures of the study. Even if one lacks these, to "borrow light through the wall," one must at least have a "wall"; having a roof to shield from the rain and a place to stay is essential. In today's world, this already places one above half of the population in terms of background—practicing martial arts is even more demanding, as one must have a master to guide them. If a child from a poor family possesses exceptional understanding, they may still listen to the sounds of learning from outside the courtyard, but a martial artist, even if they cannot wield the eighteen types of weapons, must at least recognize them. Having a roof to shield from the rain and a place to stay is essential; in today's world, this already places one above half of the population in terms of background—practicing martial arts is even more demanding, as one must have a master to guide them. If a child from a poor family possesses exceptional understanding, they may still listen to the sounds of learning from outside the courtyard, but a martial artist, even if they cannot wield the eighteen types of weapons, must at least recognize them. When entering the field, one must have someone to teach them hand in hand about the energy gates and meridians; otherwise, misrecognizing even a small detail can lead to serious errors in energy flow. Many martial arts techniques are taught through the words and actions of the master, with no written record left on paper. Among the hundreds of martial arts texts, it is rare for any to become a recognized classic. Those that do are usually the works of a generation's grandmaster from a particular school, and these individuals seldom consider the comprehension abilities of their junior disciples. The texts they compile can often be convoluted and difficult to understand; without detailed explanations, those who have only studied for two or three years and consider themselves not completely blind may struggle to recognize all the characters on the page.

In the next moment, a figure suddenly rushed in through the narrow gap, landing in front of Xie Yun with an air of urgency after just two steps. The newcomer quickly said: "I don't recognize any of them, please quickly see which one is the antidote"

Upon seeing her bewildered little eyes, Zhang Chenfei felt an overwhelming tightness in his stomach, which had not been full for a long time: "Oh dear... what can I say about you, girl!"

Xie Yun skillfully picked the lock in a matter of moments, not giving Zhou Fei the chance to resort to violence. He turned to her and asked, "Do you have a clean cloth?"

The old Taoist's robe was as dirty as a rag, and he held a feather duster that resembled a chicken's tail, looking so disheveled that he could easily join the beggar's sect. It seemed he had not noticed the scene where Young Master Xie had just rolled in fear; he continued to praise him, saying: "Not bad, this young master is well-read and knowledgeable—my lady, with eighteen martial arts skills, the essence of the Dao is unified; it is all about gathering rather than dispersing, with precision down to the slightest detail, so that one can grasp it effortlessly. Otherwise, whether by brute force or clever tricks, one is bound to go astray and remain superficial."

Xie Yundao: "A verse of lyrics speaks of a beautiful woman, whose youth fades before love ends, weeping under the lamp and candle for the ungrateful, her rouge smudged, the flowers withered, mourning the passage of time..."

Zhou Fei briefly recounted the sudden appearance of the man in black to him. As Xie Yun listened, his frown deepened, and he said, "This is not good. You go up from that side and follow me."