Chapter 8: The Chaotic Dance of Heroes

"Alright, if your journey has been arduous, you may rest in the hall," said the owner of the bamboo building, his voice having taken on a leisurely tone by this point

He cast a troubled glance at Zu Jing, shook the cup in his hand, and with a self-deprecating smile said: "Old Feng has been injured for days, and this time of decisive battle, the odds of defeat are greater than victory. If he suffers any harm, I, Tang Dou, vow that even if it costs me my life, I will retrieve Old Feng from the hands of the women of the Yue Maiden Palace. The one hundred and eight guardians of the Sword-Burying Pool, the Heavenly Maiden, the Divine Maiden, the Holy Maiden, and the Fairy, I do not fear them at all. Even if... even if it is Liu Qingyuan, heh heh, I still... heh heh, anyway, I am not afraid of him." As he spoke these words, a fine sweat broke out on Tang Dou's forehead. He grabbed the wine jar in front of him, trembling as he filled his cup to the brim, downed it in one go, and let out a gentle sigh.

The only discordant element in all of this was Zu Jing's astonishment. She suddenly pushed the table away, stood up, and turned to look at Tang Dou, who was gently shaking his folding fan, and asked in shock: "A Dou, you actually want to open a brothel? I have heard that it is a place that specifically exploits women!"

Really?! Is Junior Master going to Mount Yi? This must be an earth-shattering battle. A Dou, quickly, tell me all about it!" Upon hearing this, Zu Jing's face flushed with excitement, and she clapped her hands repeatedly, urging him to speak.

"No!" The disciples of the Zhongtang Sect all displayed a stubborn and defiant expression on their faces, speaking in unison.

Tang Dou fell silent for a moment, and finally said in a low voice, "If Xiao Zu really has feelings for me, I think you would most likely castrate me."

"You yourself have said that we have never truly sworn brotherhood!" Tang Douji retorted shrewdly

"It is what it is." Feng Luoyang crossed his arms and lowered his head, wearing an expression of deep regret.

The master ... ... '' The man in black did not understand the meaning of the bamboo house master and could not help but raise his head to ask.

Zu Jing nodded slightly, silently walked into the room, closed the door behind her, kicked off her cloth boots, and with a leap, agilely sprang onto Feng Luoyang's bed, sitting cross-legged on it, her eyes wide open, staring straight at him.

The azure clouds float in the sky, the stars and moon are both hidden, and the night on Wutong Ridge is as deep and heavy as a curtain, making the headless cliff, where the cold wind howls fiercely, appear even more sinister and terrifying. Several miles away, the Phoenix Inn is brightly lit, bustling with voices, and extraordinarily lively. The heroes of the Tang Sect are celebrating the great defeat of the Demon Sword by Feng Luoyang, and the banquet set up by the Tang Sect to triumph over the martial arts of Jiangnan is currently at its peak.

You are a whole day late. The voice of the bamboo house owner is ethereal and melodious, sounding extremely pleasant. It seems that as long as people can hear such an enchanting voice, they have already received the highest grace

I know, I want to know under which strike he died. " The voice of the bamboo house owner rose slightly.

Indeed, if it were not for the financial support of the ancestral family, the Tang Sect would not be in its current position. Moreover, the Heavenly Mountain has also benefited significantly from the ancestral family's kindness; we all owe Jing'er a debt of gratitude. If you are toying with Jing'er's feelings in order to obtain the City-Toppling Sword Technique..." At this point, Feng Luoyang's tone had already turned severe.

I do all of this to pay tribute to your sect's Qincheng Sword Technique. In this world, only the Qincheng Sword Technique is worthy of such respect, " Tang Dou said with a solemn expression.

"A Dou, your two uncles were actually blinded by him!" Zujing exclaimed in shock, "You must be very sad..."

"That is... the joke he told." Feng Luoyang widened his eyes and explained eagerly, "Just like... I say I am humorous."

"Five-Spice Tea Eggs?" Zu Jing looked at Feng Luoyang in surprise. Feng Luoyang felt his face flush under her gaze and lowered his head, scratching his face.

"You have known me for so many years; have you ever seen me deceive anyone?" Feng Luoyang earnestly defended himself

If the leader of Tianshan truly instructed you to find a beloved for the young ancestor, and the young ancestor is completely unaware, he must have a letter sealed with red wax in your possession. Show it to me; if it is genuine, I will naturally believe it

After the Sword Saint Hua Jinghong, the second person to comprehend the Super Sea Sword Technique in the Yue Woman Palace. Super Sea Sword Technique, hehe, what is the Super Sea Sword Technique?" Tang Dou tilted his head back and gulped down a drink, placing the cup on the table. His piercing eyes swept across the crowd in the hall with a stern gaze

"What?" Feng Luoyang asked with delight

The two exchanged silent glances in the darkness for a moment. Tang Dou began to laugh, while Feng Luoyang shook his head in disbelief, but ultimately could not help but smile as well.

Not long after Zu Jing descended the mountain, she was unaware that, apart from grilled fish, roasted rabbit meat, huangjing, and yam, there existed such a wide variety of delicacies in the world. She felt a refreshing and interesting sensation, experiencing immense joy. Whenever there was wine, she would drink; whenever there was food, she would eat, welcoming all without reservation, indulging to her heart's content. Feng Luoyang sat beside her, feeling too shy to compete for food, and after a long wait, he finally managed to awkwardly scoop a few pieces of Kunlun melon into his bowl.

The abbot of the Damo Hall, the chief instructor of all Shaolin disciples, the abbot of the Luohan Hall, the chief protector of the Songshan Shaolin Temple, and the solitary monk of the two halls, when they saw me, Tang Dou, did not even raise an eyelid. I wanted to say a word to him, but he pointed to the door, and I could only leave Shaolin in disgrace. When he truly possesses great skills, ha, when he encounters Meng Duanhun, he can only crash headfirst into the mirror wall. The Luohan Hall has one hundred and eight murals, and now there will be one more; it cannot be washed away. The martial arts of the world come from Shaolin, bah!" Tang Dou lowered his head and spat forcefully on the ground, and when he truly possesses great skills, ha, when he encounters Meng Duanhun, he can only crash headfirst into the mirror wall. The Luohan Hall has one hundred and eight murals, and now there will be one more; it cannot be washed away. The martial arts of the world come from Shaolin, bah!" Tang Dou lowered his head and spat forcefully on the ground, and with all his might, he slammed the wine cup onto the table.

The techniques employed by Feng Luoyang were unprecedented for his subordinates. He executed a maneuver with a rotating spear tip, sequentially lifting the six bone needles from Meng Duanhun's head. Using a sticky character technique, he adhered the needles to his sword, then with a flick of his wrist, he hurled the needles towards Meng Duanhun's eyes. As Meng Duanhun experienced a leakage of his internal energy, compounded by the severe damage to his eyes, his true energy reversed, and the demonic power backfired, causing his blood vessels to rupture, resulting in his death. The man in black spoke in a deep voice

Jing'er, Feng Luoyang raised his hand to wipe the white sweat that had emerged on his forehead. "The foremost skills of the Tang Sect in Shu are hidden weapons, followed by poison. The renowned treasure of the sect is the poisoned hidden weapon. As the leader of the Tang Sect, one must be ruthless and merciless. Where could there be a kind heart?"

Ah? Is it not a brothel?" Tang Bing's face showed a look of astonishment as he scratched his head and cast an inquiring glance at Tang Dou, "Then what is it..."

"The great talent is unparalleled, unmatched in the world!" The members of the Tang Sect felt a sense of relief and enthusiastically praised aloud.

"Hehe, Junior Master, it turns out you have such an interesting side as well." Zu Jing was amused by Tang Dou's words, laughing so hard that she could hardly catch her breath

As for other matters, let us not concern ourselves with them for now. The Impermanence Sword Technique has been broken, and the existence of the Meng family in the southwest has become meaningless. Do you understand?" The owner of the bamboo building asked coldly

However, there is one thing that can prove whether what you say is true said Tang Dou

The senior brother did indeed send me a letter, but after reading it, in order to prevent Jing'er from finding out, I burned the letter and the book." Feng Luoyang said helplessly

"How should we speak of our esteemed young master Liu Qingyuan, the foremost swordsman in the Yue Woman's Palace, the current king without a crown in the martial world, and the lifelong nemesis of Old Feng..." As Tang Dou reached this point, a smile of delight nearly overflowed from his face. After holding back for a moment, he could no longer contain himself, threw his head back, and burst into a fit of gloating laughter, leaving all the heroes in the hall utterly astonished

When Tang Dou finally concluded his praises for Feng Luoyang, the previously silent manager, Tang Bing, seized the opportunity, quickly stood up, raised his wine cup, and strode to the center of the hall, proclaiming: "Ladies and gentlemen, today our Tang Sect has been able to establish a foothold in Jiangnan, and we owe much to the strategic planning of our young master. Without the need for swords or guns, he has decisively thwarted the formidable forces of the Four Mouths Hall, the Murong of South Lake, the Ouyang of Tai Lake, and the leaders of the Nian Gang. Brothers, let us raise a glass to our young master."

Alright, we will head back now, " Tang Dou glanced at Feng Luoyang and said in a deep voice

"..." Tang Dou closed the folding fan in his hand and tapped it on the table, "... Shan Tang, Qi Feng Lou Shan Tang, hmm, isn't that a nice name?"

Oh, young master, you must have captivated her at that time. From your description, it feels as if I am witnessing Sister Asha from back then with my own eyes, " said Zu Jing, taking a deep breath and speaking excitedly

This is good. Back in the day, when Old Feng was determined to personally venture to Yishan, I, Tang Dou, traveled a thousand miles from Jiannan to support him. The Yue Woman's Palace had past grievances with us, and today we were to challenge the foremost swordsman in their palace. It was difficult to guarantee that the one hundred and eight guardians of the Burial Sword Pool would not cause us trouble, so we made thorough preparations. Old Feng took his sword manual and notes, while I, Tang Dou, prepared ample poisoned hidden weapons. Given the extraordinary dangers of this journey, we even each prepared a will to leave at the Phoenix Inn. At this point, Tang Dou seemed to be momentarily lost in the mindset of facing a great enemy from back then, his gaze turning sharp and sorrowful. He raised his hand to grasp the wine cup on the table and tilted his head to drink, only to find that there was no wine in the cup.

Oh, it's burned... Indeed, not a single drop leaks out. This time, the mission of the little ancestor coming out of the mountain is truly extraordinary; even a sworn brother like me is to be kept in the dark. If I hadn't been fortunate enough to overhear your snippets of conversation, I might still be in the dark to this day. " At this point, Tang Dou's voice began to take on a strange tone

"What does Liu Qingyuan deserve now?" Tang Douyang said proudly

What do you think of this bamboo house?" The owner of the bamboo house smiled gently and asked in a clear voice

Hehe, the issue lies not with Liu Qingyuan, but with the hearts of the people in the martial world. It is precisely because Liu Qingyuan's reputation surpasses that of Lao Feng that people from the martial world continuously seek out Lao Feng for a duel. It is also because Liu Qingyuan has comprehended the Super Sea Sword Technique that Lao Feng has no choice but to go to Yishan under pressure. From beginning to end, Liu Qingyuan has not uttered a word, nor made a comment, yet he has already played us like pawns in his hands. Unbeknownst to us, Lao Feng has already suffered two consecutive defeats. At this point, Tang Dou, with a slightly flushed face from excessive drinking, seemed to recall the immense pressure and heavy feelings of those years.

Thank you for your concern, Master. I can still hold on and hope to set off immediately. A hint of excitement appeared on the face of the Night Ghost, who couldn't help but raise his head to look up and down at the bamboo building before him

Upon hearing his words, the disciples of the Tang Sect present were overjoyed, excitedly springing up from their seats and shouting their approval at the top of their lungs. In an instant, the entire hall was filled with jubilant cheers, and everyone raised their cups in celebration

Ahahaha! Tang Dou laughed heartily, feeling accomplished and satisfied. Feng Luoyang and Zu Jing exchanged glances, finding it both amusing and exasperating to witness Tang Dou's unabashed glee at the misfortune of others

As soon as he finished speaking, the elite members of the Tang Sect burst into hearty laughter, as if the tragic events of the Autumn Altar had become the best joke of the night

"Little Master Uncle, did you go to Mount Yi to challenge Young Master Liu at that time?" Upon hearing this, Zu Jing's curiosity was piqued, and she quickly turned to look at Feng Luoyang.

The young master spoke well! The disciples of the Tang Sect laughed again, as the authority of the Shaolin Temple had already become a fleeting memory in their hearts

The mysterious figure in black, returning defeated from the Phoenix Gambling House at Wutong Ridge, traveled day and night for over 3,000 miles. Finally, on the evening of the ninth day, he arrived at the front of this hidden bamboo building. Without taking the time to wipe the sweat from his forehead, he rushed to the door, knelt on one knee, and in a hoarse voice whispered: "Master, I have returned"

Hahaha! Upon hearing the praises from the members of the Tang Sect, Tang Dou stood up proudly, gestured with both hands, and asked loudly: "Brothers, with the Ouyang from Taihu, the Murong from Nanhu, and the Four-Kou Hall, even if we add the Nian Gang, can they possibly hinder the advance of my Tang Sect into Jiangnan?"

He let out a long breath, tilting his head back. In that moment, the duel, the struggle for supremacy, the magic sword, the wind messenger, the ghostly tricks, the debts, and even the marriage of his ancestor—all the troubling matters that had caused him so much headache temporarily left his thoughts. He closed his eyes contentedly, breathing comfortably, savoring this brief moment of tranquility and peace

Indeed, the distinction lies in the fact that since Liu Qing's emergence, the world has finally come to know that this millennium-old legend—the Super Sea Sword Technique—truly exists. However, no one has been able to prove that Gu Tianya's City-Conquering Sword Technique is real. What the martial world currently possesses are merely fragmented and incomplete legends about the senior Gu. This is because, when Gu Tianya visited Yishan to seek the Super Sea Sword Technique, an unspoken rule circulated in the martial world: anyone who masters the Super Sea Sword Technique must have the number one sword in the martial world personally travel to Yishan to challenge the swordsman who has comprehended the Super Sea Sword Technique. People believe that once one has grasped the Super Sea Sword Technique, they inherently possess the qualifications of being the number one in the world. " At this point, Tang Dou cast a meaningful glance towards Feng Luoyang.

"What’s wrong, young master? Don’t you quite enjoy talking about the past? Jing'er is waiting." Feng Luoyang seemed quite displeased with Tang Dou bringing up his past hardships, and at this moment, he spoke with a hint of schadenfreude.

"What a remarkable situation... Liu Qingyuan's father happened to pass away just before the decisive battle. According to family customs, he must observe a three-year mourning period, and as a result, our sword duel was later canceled," Feng Luoyang finally said impatiently

"Are you saying that the Super Sea Sword Technique can already rival Senior Gu's Enchanting Sword Technique?" Zujing exclaimed in shock, unable to contain herself.

"Of course, it is the Dance of a Hundred Flowers, Ji Ruyu!" a large group of disciples from the Tang Sect exclaimed in a raucous manner

"... ... Alright, that's enough." Seeing that Zu Jing was overjoyed, Feng Luoyang finally felt relieved, but then he sensed a hint of dissatisfaction, "Am I really that boring?"

"Hehe, what you probably heard is this sound, right?" Tang Dou smiled proudly, picked up his folding fan, and with a flick of his wrist, the fan opened like an ice disc, spinning out and whistling through the air, drawing a large elliptical arc. Then, as if it had eyes, it flew back into Tang Dou's hand, the sound of the fan's surface resembling the sound of garments fluttering in the wind.

But that is the enchanting swordsmanship! My goodness!" Tang Dou said this as if he had given up, dejectedly tossing aside the folding fan in his hand. "Who can resist such temptation? I must try my luck, lest I regret it for a lifetime. Huh!"

Tang Dou stared blankly at the wide-eyed Zu Jing, hesitating for a long time before widening his own eyes and pointing at Tang Bing, saying, "I initially said I wanted to open Qifeng Tower, but when did I ever say that it was a brothel?"

The Wutong Ridge, shrouded in dark clouds, is as black as ink at this moment. The faint light emanating from the Phoenix Inn dissipates into the boundless darkness, unable to travel far in the night. Feng Luoyang and Tang Dou walked along the mountain path to the mountain pass near the Dead End Cliff, and simultaneously came to a halt.

What is there to be sad about? In any case, both of them will eventually compete with me for the position of the sect leader; one less person means one less competitor, and I benefit from it. Tang Dou waved his hand nonchalantly, "Where was I? Right, everyone says that once Liu Qingyuan masters the art of Yishan, his swordsmanship will surely be unparalleled in the world. In fact, as of today, any swordsman who has fought against Liu Qingyuan has either lost limbs and faded from the martial world or gone mad, refusing to ever speak of wielding a sword again. In the martial world, Liu Qingyuan's reputation is incomparable to that of Lao Feng. Everyone believes that the position of the number one in the world is easily within Liu Qingyuan's grasp if he desires it. In reality, many ambitious swordsmen think their skills are not far behind Lao Feng's, and as long as they seize the opportunity to win even a single move against him, it is not a delusion. When the news of Liu Qingyuan comprehending the Super Sea Sword Technique emerged, these people feared that Lao Feng would be defeated by Liu Qingyuan beforehand, which meant that to claim the number one position in the world, they would have to face Liu Qingyuan. Winning against Lao Feng in Luoyang is easy, but defeating Liu Qingyuan is difficult; this was the sentiment of all the martial artists at the time. Therefore, any swordsman with even the slightest chance rushed to the Headless Cliff, hoping to defeat Lao Feng before Liu Qingyuan and taste the flavor of being number one in the world, even if only for a day.

It turns out that this building was constructed by the master himself. No wonder it overlooks Dianchi Lake and gazes towards Kunming; although it is nestled among mountains and waters, its grandeur extends far and wide, embodying a dynamic spirit within tranquility, fully reflecting the master's aspirations. At this point, the man in black spoke with eyes filled with reverence.

If what you say is true, then you have at least deceived Xiao Zu. "Tang Dou replied sharply, "Do you want me to believe that you deceived Xiao Zu, or that you deceived me

On the day of departure, a torrential rain fell in Runzhou, driven by the wind, which could not be shielded even by wearing a raincoat. The sky was as dark as the bottom of a pot; at noon, the darkness enveloped everything, resembling dusk, as if someone had opened the gates of the underworld. Tang Dou raised his hands, mimicking a gesture of closing and opening in front of him, his eyes shining brightly as he gazed at Zu Jing

The prominent figures from the Phoenix Pavilion are well-acquainted with many individuals; if we invite them together, they will certainly be able to elevate the occasion

Haha, during these few days of waiting for you, I had nothing to do and casually put together this little gadget. There is no need to praise it to the skies, the owner of the bamboo house said with a hearty laugh

"My disciples of the Tang Sect will carry them over," Tang Dou retorted expressionlessly. Upon hearing this, the excitement that had previously filled the faces of all the Tang Sect disciples vanished, replaced by a pale expression of helplessness.

Oh. The owner of the bamboo house listened to his words and fell silent for a moment, "... Is it that obvious?"

Ah? Zu Jing originally thought that this battle between Liu Qingyuan and Feng Luoyang would unfold amidst such a gloomy and sinister rain, striking until the heavens darkened and the earth trembled, with no light from the sun or moon, lasting for seven days and nights, with no clear victor. Who would have thought... She suddenly felt a sense of defeat akin to falling from a towering platform or capsizing in the heart of the Yangtze River.

A gentle knocking sound, "knock knock knock," pulled him back from the relaxed and comfortable mood he had just been in to the reality of the moment. He opened his eyes, sighed deeply in annoyance, and helplessly said, "Come in"

Ah! How could this be? These swordsmen are so cowardly and despicable. Zujing grimaced in disgust, then turned to Feng Luoyang with a spring-like smile and playfully said, "Little Master Uncle, you are truly impressive; you didn't let them succeed. The taste of being the best in the world can only be savored by you. Why don't you tell me, what does that taste like?"

Of course, none of this is the main point I wish to convey. The crux of my argument is, what about Liu Qingyuan? Wasn't he also defeated by Meng Duanhun, losing his arm in the process? Today, let me ask you all, who exactly defeated Meng Duanhun?" Tang Dou straightened his chest and raised a cup overflowing with fine wine, asking loudly.

Tang Bing and the other disciples of the Tang Sect suddenly displayed expressions of unease, glancing at each other, all feeling a sense of impending disaster from having misjudged the situation.

"How could this be? He swore he would open a charity hall and even have the disciples of the Tang Sect carry the poor up the mountain to receive aid," Zujing asked in astonishment.

The Super Sea Sword Technique... Tang Dou propped himself up on the table, puffed out his chest, and said, "Legend has it that a thousand years ago, the sword immortal who established the Eighty Sword Techniques of the Yue Maiden Palace had a dream by the Sword-Burial Pool. In this dream, the mystical phoenix of the Nine Heavens appeared before him, its seven-colored tail sweeping across the sky, leaving behind nine streaks of light. In that moment, the Milky Way hung upside down, the vast sea surged, mountains crumbled, and the winds and clouds dispersed. Upon awakening from the dream, the sword immortal inscribed the essence of the Super Sea Sword Technique on the Bright Summit of Yishan. That moment saw the Milky Way hanging upside down, the vast sea surging, mountains crumbling, and the winds and clouds dispersing. The sword immortal awoke from the dream and inscribed the essence of the Super Sea Sword Technique on the Bright Summit of Yishan. This is the renowned Eighty-First Sword Technique of Yishan. However, this was merely a vague imagination of hers, an ideal limit that a swordsman could aspire to reach. Even the sword immortal herself could not comprehend the true meaning within. Decades ago, Hua Jinghong grasped the Super Sea Sword Technique, shocking the world. At that time, the Sword God Gu Tianya traveled thousands of miles to Yishan, hoping to witness this legendary figure that had not been seen for a millennium. Yet, in the twists and turns of fate, he was unable to fulfill his wish..."

"It is a brothel, and it is also a charitable hall. A brothel is nothing but a charitable hall for men, hahahaha!" Tang Dou lightly shook his folding fan and laughed heartily towards the sky

"Because her surname is Zu, she is a member of the Zu family," Feng Luoyang said cautiously as he looked around and lowered his voice

The craftsmanship is exquisite, and the design is ingenious; it is truly a work of divine artistry, the man in black said sincerely

Yes

Uh, this... Feng Luoyang seems to be extremely evasive about this experience from back then, unwilling to bring it up, "The events at that time, cough cough..."

Who is truly the number one in the world?" Tang Dou asked again

He died in battle, the man in black said solemnly

"You shall not rest here tonight; you must immediately go find the Red Demon," the owner of the bamboo building said decisively.

Enough, your stealthy skills have indeed not disappointed me, truly deserving of the title "Night Ghost" said the owner of the bamboo building with satisfaction

At that moment, a series of hurried footsteps approached from a distance. Tang Bingxin, the manager of the Phoenix Gambling House, walked towards the two with a heavy heart. When he reached the side of Tang Dou, he bowed respectfully and said: "Young Master, Miss Zu sent me here, saying that the dishes are getting cold, and she requests that you return."

Slow-steamed black lamb shreds, roasted pig face, deboned fresh fish sashimi, salt and pepper roasted duck, hundred-tail phoenix shrimp, deep-fried ingot fish—these renowned dishes from various regions are continuously presented on the dining table. Tang Dou, Feng Luoyang, and Zu Jing occupy an entire table, surrounded by local officials from the Tang Clan who keep toasting them. Most striking are the dishes in front of Zu Jing: filled with the most peculiar and interesting snacks from various places, including the peach blossom rice, a specialty of Jiangnan, the oil-seed cake popular in Chang'an, the nine-strand rice cake specially made in Jian'nan, and even the deer tongue soup, which can only be enjoyed by the imperial family.

Ah Shao! Could it be... could it be that back then you also had feelings for Sister Ah Shao? You and A Dou both fell for her at the same time! Little Master Uncle, please tell me, quickly! I beg you!" Upon hearing Feng Luoyang's words, Zu Jing shook off her earlier confusion, her eyes sparkling with excitement as she tightly grasped Feng Luoyang's arm, shaking it vigorously as if trying to extract all the unspoken words from him.

"Little Master, please be quiet, A Dou is just getting to the most exciting part," Zu Jing said, forcefully patting his shoulder and speaking in a sharp tone

"Um..." Zujing laughed while wiping the tears from the corners of her eyes, "I... I am truly sorry, Junior Master, but... I just couldn't help it"

"Eating the same dish for ten years, even dragon liver becomes tiresome." Tang Dou said with a smile, gesturing with both hands, "Alright, let’s not poke fun at Old Feng anymore. Back to Liu Qingyuan. It is said that back in the day, Old Feng had a hard time defeating the Seventy-Two Swordsmen, which earned him a bit of time. However, under the pressure of the martial world, he ultimately decided to make a trip to Yishan, to confront his fated enemy Liu Qingyuan in a life-and-death battle, to see who truly deserves the title of the world's number one."

I know her surname... wait, is it the ancestor of the Yizhou family?" At this point, Tang Dou's pupils suddenly constricted, "The family of the ancestors!"

"Good, good, good!" Feng Luoyang pushed aside Zu Jing's arm with his own, shaking his head helplessly. He closed his eyes and organized his thoughts. "Years ago, when I descended from Ailao Mountain after my training, I encountered Tang Dou, who had ventured out from Yizhou. We became friends and traveled together through Jiangnan. When we arrived at the shores of Poyang Lake, we happened to meet Yu Shao, who had sneaked out from home. Her fiery red dress was vibrant and bold, like the morning sun, making it difficult for me to look directly at her; her pair of clear and piercing eyes seemed capable of penetrating my very heart, leaving me in a state of panic with nowhere to hide." When we arrived at the shores of Poyang Lake, we happened to meet Yu Shao, who had sneaked out from home. Her fiery red dress was vibrant and bold, like the morning sun, making it difficult for me to look directly at her; her pair of clear and piercing eyes seemed capable of penetrating my very heart, leaving me in a state of panic with nowhere to hide.

So it turns out that Sister Asha is so terrifying in your eyes..." Zujing slowly nodded, "But, Junior Master, you cannot blame her. She bears the expectations of her family, which is why she is so strong-willed. That being said, such a strong-willed Sister Asha has been so cruelly let down by A Dou; she must be heartbroken. You are right, I was truly just dazzled by A Dou. He is unfaithful and fickle, indulging in his own charm. I absolutely, absolutely cannot like such a person. Junior Master, you certainly will not teach him the City-Slaying Sword Technique. I think I must have been too eager to find a savior for the martial world, which is why I foolishly developed feelings for A Dou. You are right, I was truly just dazzled by A Dou. He is unfaithful and fickle, indulging in his own charm. I absolutely, absolutely cannot like such a person. Junior Master, you certainly will not teach him the City-Slaying Sword Technique. I think I must have been too eager to find a savior for the martial world, which is why I foolishly developed feelings for A Dou. Rest assured, Junior Master, in the future..." Zujing wanted to continue speaking passionately, but when she turned her head, she saw that Feng Luoyang had already leaned back in his chair and fallen into a deep sleep.

"Jing'er, Jing'er, Jing'er!" Seeing that Zujing's face was flushed, Feng Luoyang immediately sensed that something was amiss. He closed his eyes, his mind racing as he weighed the pros and cons, and ultimately had to come clean, "In fact, what Tang Dou said today about being compassionate and wanting to open a charitable hall on Wutong Ridge is not true; he is actually opening a brothel."

Feng Luoyang awkwardly smiled bitterly, pushed aside Zu Jing's hand, and spoke to comfort her: "It's fine, it's fine, it's all in the past, phew, it's all in the past." However, his words could not conceal his feelings of sentimentality, as if he were not only speaking to Zu Jing but also to himself.

"Yes, I will have my subordinate take care of it immediately," the man in black nodded.

"Esteemed Young Master Feng!" Upon hearing the words of the sect leader, the heroes of the Tang Sect immediately stood up in unison, raising their wine cups and responding loudly. As she witnessed over a hundred spirited heroes of the martial world gazing at her junior master with admiration while toasting, Zu Jing felt a wave of exhilarating excitement coursing through her body, a sense of happiness that made her heart nearly melt with pride. She excitedly mimicked the stance of Tang Dou and the heroes of the Tang Sect, trembling as she grasped the wine cup before her, raising it high to her chest, gently pushing it towards the direction of Feng Luoyang, and loudly declared: "Junior Master, I also toast to you, the great hero who defeated the Demon Sword."

Thank you for your praise, my lord. Before Meng Duanhun died, he let slip some information. At this moment, the Seven Stars Flying Electric Fish of the Chengfeng Society is already on its way to the Southern Frontier to investigate the truth. My lord, should I take action to hinder her

He opened the folding fan and fanned himself vigorously, as if trying to quickly dissipate the heat rising on his face due to desire. At that moment, he suddenly remembered something and hurriedly asked, "Since she is from the ancestral family, if someone truly intends to restore order to the current chaotic world, wouldn't she be the prime choice? What you just said to me, could it not be true?"

"How could you have heard that?" Feng Luoyang stood in the night, silent for a moment, and suddenly spoke, "I clearly heard that you had already left the rooftop"

"It is the Young Master of the Wind!" shouted the member of the Tang Sect, raising his voice.

Upon hearing the news of Qifeng Tower, the entire room of Tang Sect disciples could no longer sit still. Each person spoke in turn, engaging in lively discussions, resembling a group of eager theater enthusiasts waiting for a splendid performance to begin

I did not witness it with my own eyes; rather, I obtained this information by eavesdropping on Feng Luoyang's account," the man in black added anxiously

Tang Bing only came to his senses upon hearing the sound of Tang Dou's folding fan opening. He pressed his hand against his forehead, steadied his mind, and continued to gather his spirits, saying in a loud voice: "Currently, the Tang Clan's Phoenix Inn and Phoenix Gambling House have established a firm foothold in Wutong Ridge. In accordance with the young master's intentions, we will pursue our victory and establish the Qifeng Tower on Wutong Ridge, transforming this desolate and rugged area into a blessed land for the people of the Jianghu."

How wonderful, opening a brothel in Wutong Ridge; the brothers back home will surely be envious of us.

Zuqing was able to take it in, and imitating him, she tilted her head back and drank it all in one go. Immediately, she felt a wave of fiery heat sweep over her body, leaving her in an incredibly exhilarated state.

"A Dou? You... you can't be..." Upon hearing Zu Jing mention Tang Dou's name, Feng Luoyang couldn't help but feel a sinking sensation in his heart

"You are quite impressive," Feng Luoyang said with a sense of helplessness.

The Double Moon Golden Ring of Busilai, how many lives of heroes from the rivers and lakes has the Yin-Yang Double Moon Ring claimed? The top expert of the Autumn Guild, with skills honed in the Ba Mountain, inherited the life-locking golden ring from the former Qingfeng Hall. If it were not for the invincible Song Wuhen firmly holding the position of the guild leader, Busilai would be the undisputed choice for the guild leader. So what if he is the guild leader? What of the Autumn Guild's leader? When faced with Meng Duanhun, he lost his own life and also implicated his sixteen subordinates. So what if he is the guild leader? What of the Autumn Guild's leader? When faced with Meng Duanhun, he lost his own life and also implicated his sixteen subordinates. A crowd of them, all heading to the Yellow Springs, what a display, what a spectacle. " After finishing this cup, Tang Dou, still unsatisfied, spoke again in a loud voice.

Hmm, notify the Red Demon to release the Yue family and test the weight of Feng Luoyang's influence. The owner of the bamboo building pondered for a moment before speaking again

"Big Brother! I regard you as a brother; how could I possibly deceive you in this matter?" Feng Luoyang said hastily

Jing'er... Feng Luoyang pulled the chair closer to Zu Jing and sat down, gently patting her shoulder. "You stayed in Tianshan until you were eighteen, and you haven't met many young men. Now that you've just come down the mountain, the first person you meet is Tang Dou. I admit that Tang Dou is both handsome and attentive, which has won you some favor; this is merely a result of being dazzled by his appearance. In reality, he is the leader of the Tang Sect, a person who is not only ruthless but also a libertine, having let down countless young women in the martial world throughout his life. There is nothing about him that possesses the charm to attract you. Once you become familiar with him, you will understand."

Tang Dou glanced at Feng Luoyang with a hint of embarrassment

"Master, let me speak frankly with you. This time, Senior Brother Zhangmen sent Jing'er down the mountain, actually to find her a suitable husband, rather than to save the martial world. In the letter he sent me, he only instructed me to take care of her, to protect her, until she finds someone she loves, and then escort them back to Tianshan, avoiding the chaos of the martial world" Feng Luoyang said honestly

Zu Jing was affected by Tang Dou's tone, feeling a genuine sense of tension. Her beautiful eyes were fixed intently on Tang Dou, not daring to be distracted for even a moment. Feng Luoyang observed this and felt annoyed, unable to help but press his hand against his forehead, sighing, "Young Master, why not just get to the point."

Gazing into Tang Dou's fiery eyes, Zu Jing felt an inexplicable flutter in her heart, her face flushed with heat. She quickly lowered her head, staring intently at the bowl of rice in her hands, her entire body trembling with a tingling sensation. Observing Zu Jing's expression, a hint of pride appeared on Tang Dou's face as he slowly sat down, retrieving a folding fan from behind his neck and snapping it open in front of his chest.

The man in black once again cupped his hands in salute, turned around, and swiftly leaped towards the foot of the Western Mountain using his lightness skill. Before he had run a hundred steps, a series of crackling sounds like exploding beans continuously reached his ears. He turned his head to look and saw that the bamboo building, which had stood tall just moments ago, was now engulfed in a sea of raging flames.

In Zujing's eyes, the deep disappointment that had settled there melted away like snow meeting the sun upon hearing his words, replaced by an unmistakable smile. She tightly clutched the thin blanket in her trembling hands, straining her face with effort. After a moment, she seemed to collapse, pushing the blanket into Feng Luoyang's arms and bursting into hearty laughter.

Enough! Feng Luoyang slammed the table, stood up, and said in a low voice, "Young Master, let's step outside for a moment to talk."

"This cup of wine, let us toast to the old wind, the first hero of our Tang Sect." After three rounds of wine, Tang Dou swung his large sleeves, the first to rise, raising his wine cup high with both hands, facing Feng Luoyang beside him, and said loudly, "Let us toast to his magnificent display of power today, defeating the Demon Sword Young Master, winning this crucial gambling match for us, allowing our Tang Sect to firmly establish itself in Jiangnan. Come, everyone, let us raise our cups together!"

The reason I insist on doing this is that I am inherently a compassionate person who feels for the world. If even ants strive to survive, how much more should humans? Although there are conflicts in the world, with high winds and turbulent waves, if I can spare even one person from harm and reduce the burden of killing, my heart will be at peace, and I will consider my life fortunate. " At this point, Tang Dou clasped his hands together, forming the unique gesture of prayer characteristic of monks.

At that time, I, like you, thought I was truly infatuated with her. In reality, Yu Shao's parents, having no children of their own, raised her like a son from a young age. She had also become accustomed to competing fiercely with young men; that sharp gaze was merely a habit she developed to protect herself and to win her parents' affection. She had been stubborn and competitive since childhood, always needing to gain the upper hand in her interactions with others. I was just a foolish young boy back then, hardly her match; the moment I saw her, I was completely overwhelmed. Thirteen years later, it remains the same. Sigh... She had always been stubborn and competitive, always needing to gain the upper hand in her interactions with others. I was just a foolish young boy back then, hardly her match; the moment I saw her, I was completely overwhelmed. Thirteen years later, it remains the same. Sigh... At this point, Feng Luoyang felt his head begin to ache again, unable to resist leaning back against the chair and twisting his sore neck.

The door creaked open slowly, and Zhu Jing's bright and fresh oval face emerged from the darkness outside, revealing a pitiful expression of pleading as she said: "Little Master Uncle, I can't sleep and would like to chat with you, is that alright?"

Indeed. Who would have thought that deep within my heart, there lies a benevolent spirit?" Tang Dou slowly turned his head, gazing solemnly at Zu Jing, "Thus, I have always hoped to find someone who truly understands and knows me.

The master suddenly summoned his subordinate to meet at Dianchi, catching me off guard. I did not arrange my itinerary properly; I ask for the master's forgiveness. The man in black, in a state of panic, pressed his head to the ground and spoke tremulously

"Jing'er, you are still unaware of Lao Feng's predicament. Liu Qing had already gained a formidable reputation in the martial world before he comprehended the Super Sea Sword Technique. He is renowned for his mastery of various disciplines, excelling in all arts across the land: he once triumphed over the esteemed Cui Shiren in a poetry contest at a brothel, defeated the Emperor's chess advisor during a chess competition, and in a concealed weapon gambling match, he rendered two of my uncles blind in both eyes. His lightness skill..." Tang Dou spoke incessantly. He is renowned for his mastery of various disciplines, excelling in all arts across the land: he once triumphed over the esteemed Cui Shiren in a poetry contest at a brothel, defeated the Emperor's chess advisor during a chess competition, and in a concealed weapon gambling match, he rendered two of my uncles blind in both eyes. His lightness skill..." Tang Dou spoke incessantly.

"Old Feng, I just created the atmosphere, and you ruined it all." Tang Dou sighed in relief and burst into laughter, "But you have to admit, it's better than me revealing this terrible ending." At this point, he took a long breath: "To be honest with you, Xiao Zu, when Old Feng heard that he didn't have to compete in swordsmanship with someone surnamed Liu, the feeling of relief was indescribable. He immediately ran to the corner of the Inviting Moon Tower in Runzhou and bought dozens of five-spice tea eggs from Aunt Yao in one go, eating them for an entire day." He took a long breath: "To be honest with you, Xiao Zu, when Old Feng heard that he didn't have to compete in swordsmanship with someone surnamed Liu, the feeling of relief was indescribable. He immediately ran to the corner of the Inviting Moon Tower in Runzhou and bought dozens of five-spice tea eggs from Aunt Yao in one go, eating them for an entire day."

Oh... Feng Luoyang reached out and pressed his hand on his head, moaning helplessly

Little Master Uncle! Hearing that Feng Luoyang actually has such an unbearable past, a pang of pain struck Zujing's heart. She reached out with both hands and gently pressed down on Feng Luoyang's arm that was sprawled on the table. "These swordsmen are too infuriating. Why do they have to challenge Little Master Uncle all at once? Isn't this going to wear him out?"

This is like ... um, when I first entered the world, the first thing I saw was Yushao. At that moment, I felt ... '' Feng Luoyang tried to explain the meaning of his earlier words, but when he mentioned Yushao's name, he couldn't help but close his mouth

I... I don't know either. At first, I thought he was a heartless and ungrateful bad man, but later... at the banquet, he was both gentle and warm, taking great care of me, and even wanted to open a library at Wutong Ridge. He... has a good heart, is ambitious, and is also..." At this point, Zu Jing's charming face turned red, feeling embarrassed to continue.

"Old Feng, is that really the case? The esteemed leader of the Tianshan sect is actually going to such lengths for a female disciple? Not only have you arranged for the world's number one sword, which commands great respect in the martial world, to be her bodyguard, but you also want to take care of her lifelong affairs, and even concocted such an elaborate reason to deceive her and make her happy. Is she a princess or something?" Tang Dou asked incredulously.

She let out a long sigh, tilted her head back against the wall, her eyes glazed over: "But at that moment, the way he looked at me, I don't know how to describe it. I only felt a tingling sensation all over, as if someone had punched me in the heart. I was both scared and nervous, and for a long time, my mind was filled with his image."

"Alright!" "What?" Zujing and Feng Luoyang said almost simultaneously

Old Feng! The one surnamed Liu has already lost his right arm, what are you afraid of? Hehe, never mind, let me speak instead. Tang Dou, full of enthusiasm, approached Zu Jing and poured her a full glass of wine. "Back in the day, when the news of Liu Qingyuan mastering the Super Sea Sword Technique spread, it immediately caused a stir in the martial world. Overnight, Old Feng received seventy-two challenge letters, and swordsmen from the martial world lined up at Wutong Ridge to duel with him. For a full two months, Old Feng lived and ate at the Headless Cliff, defeating seventy-two swordsmen in a row. Exhausted to the point of coughing up blood, how could he find the time to go to Yishan to look for Liu Qingyuan?" Overnight, Old Feng received seventy-two challenge letters, and swordsmen from the martial world lined up at Wutong Ridge to duel with him. For a full two months, Old Feng lived and ate at the Headless Cliff, defeating seventy-two swordsmen in a row. Exhausted to the point of coughing up blood, how could he find the time to go to Yishan to look for Liu Qingyuan?

As soon as these words were spoken, the entire hall fell silent, and every member of the Tang Sect stared at Tang Dou in astonishment, as if they were looking at a monster. At that moment, Feng Luoyang was about to swallow a piece of Kunlun melon, but upon hearing his words, he relaxed his throat, causing saliva to enter his trachea, and he immediately began to cough violently.

"Moreover... what should we ultimately establish, a brothel or a benevolent hall?" Tang Bing hesitated for a moment before finally unable to restrain her curiosity and asked

Seeing the excited expression on Zu Jing's face, Tang Dou's demeanor changed awkwardly, his face filled with unexpected embarrassment: "Little Zu, do you really want to hear this?"

On the shores of Dian Lake, atop the Western Mountains, stands a delicately structured and elegantly designed bamboo house in serene stillness. This bamboo house overlooks the picturesque scenery of the 500-mile-long Dian Lake, with its swaying willows and sunlit white sands, while also gazing upon the streets and alleys of Kunming, where countless households exist in a dynamic tranquility, embodying a perfect retreat for those with grand aspirations.

Five-Spice Tea Eggs are Lao Feng's favorite. Every time he wins a sword duel, he rewards himself with a tea egg. This has almost become his motivation for survival over the past ten years. You just asked him what it feels like to be the world's number one swordsman; I can tell you, it tastes just like a tea egg. " Tang Dou said with a sly smile

Ha, I am able to defeat them and feel proud, for this time I did not expend a single soldier or injure a single person or object. I announced the arrival of my Tang Sect to Jiangnan without shedding blood; in the entire world, how many sects in the martial arts community can achieve this?" As Tang Dou spoke, he rolled his eyes, gazed skyward, and looked around with pride

"A Dou, this is the first time I have heard of the Super Sea Sword Technique. Is it powerful?" Zujing asked curiously upon hearing this

It is good! Seeing the two of them, the uncle and nephew, with their generous drinking style, everyone was greatly pleased, and all drank until their cups were empty

"Da Shao, are you sure you want to open a charitable hall in Wutongling? The mountains are high and the roads are far; by the time the poor make it here, they are almost starving to death," Feng Luoyang said, frowning tightly and speaking in a dull manner.

Is that so ... ... Zujing leaned her head against the wall behind her, laboriously chewing on the meaning of the dialect from Luoyang, her face filled with confusion

"I never expected this, A Dou, that you possess such a compassionate heart." Upon hearing Tang Dou's words, Zu Jing was the first to clap her hands vigorously, expressing her admiration, "I thought you were just like your name, with a much stronger inclination towards killing and conflict than the average person."

So do not concern yourself with what Jing'er is doing when she descends the mountain; it is none of your business. Do not shamelessly meddle in matters that do not involve you. Only you could think of opening a charitable hall on Wutong Ridge

"Hoo!" Feng Luoyang exhaled, climbed out of bed, pulled a chair from the bedside and placed it next to himself, saying, "Come in."

Feng Luoyang quickly stood up, slightly bowed, raised his wine glass, and turned to face the crowd. He tilted his head back and drank the wine in one gulp. Then, he reached out to steady Zujing's wine glass and gently said, "Jing'er, take your time drinking."

Of course! I could listen to the heroic deeds of my little master uncle for three days and nights without getting tired of it. Zu Jing said with pride, speaking candidly.

The celebratory banquet continued until deep into the night before finally coming to an end. Within the Phoenix Inn, all the lights and candles had burned out, and the surrounding scenery was shrouded in a dim haze. Feng Luoyang, dragging his weary body away from the banquet, fled back to the inn, to the room specially prepared for him, as if escaping for his life. He forcefully closed the door and collapsed onto the bed.

"However, he clearly stated that deep within his heart lies a benevolent spirit." Upon hearing this, Zu Jing felt an extreme sense of disappointment and unwillingly argued.

It is the Young Master of the Wind! The members of the Tang Sect had been eagerly waiting for Tang Dou to ask a question, and at this moment, they all mustered their strength and shouted loudly.

Uh... Feng Luoyang helplessly glanced at the chair in his hand and had no choice but to sit down on it himself

As soon as Tang Dou took his seat, he began to incessantly flatter Zu Jing, eager to serve her every dish on the table. Although Feng Luoyang was one of the main guests of the evening, he repeatedly attempted to use his chopsticks but could not manage to pick up any good dishes.

"You really observe in great detail," said the owner of the bamboo house in a gentle tone

"How did Meng Duanhun perform in the battle on Wutong Ridge?" The owner of the bamboo house did not express any opinion about his tardiness, merely asking in a calm manner.

"Little Master Uncle, what do you think of this person, A Dou?" Zu Jing wrapped herself in the thin blanket from Feng Luoyang's bed, as if to fend off the chill rising within her.

"Old Feng, we are at least good brothers. With such a great opportunity, you should consider me a bit," Tang Dou said with a smile.

Respectful Young Master! The entire crowd of Tangmen members erupted in cheers, raising their wine cups in unison, and collectively exclaimed loudly.

"Master, if the Qifeng Tower opens, who will be invited as the top courtesan, Hong Agu?" A slender disciple of the Tang Sect asked curiously

"Go eat shit!" the members of the Tang Sect shouted in unison.

"Then what pride is there in thwarting their conspiracy today?" Tang Dou's tone shifted as he asked seriously

This is so unfair!" Zujing said anxiously, "Little Master Uncle has been worn out by those damned seventy-two swordsmen, and now he has to personally go to Yishan, allowing that person with the surname Liu to take advantage of his fatigue? If Liu Qingyuan had any sense of humanity, he should not let Little Master Uncle toil like this.

Alright, fine! Feng Luoyang spread his hands as if giving up, "Even if all of this is true. The little ancestor has come down the mountain to seek a hero of the martial world. This person must surely capture her heart, and they must also learn the Qincheng Sword Technique from me. Do you think I would teach it to you?"