Chapter 8, a hundred steps winding through the rocky peaks

Linghu Tuan Yuan stared wide-eyed

"Good skills!" The leader praised, yet there was not a trace of appreciation in his eyes. In his right hand, he held a long knife, measuring four feet in length, with a slender blade that resembled a sword but was not straight, possessing a slight curve.

The Black-Clad Martial Saint had evidently been using top-tier martial arts for an extended period, as his chest was still heaving upon arrival. He continued to wear a bamboo hat, revealing the lower half of his face, which had a bluish tint, and his chin showed signs of stubble, his demeanor no longer dignified. "Hong Furong is indeed a waste, to be associated with me. The highest cultivation in the Linghu family is a mere girl, utterly laughable. Miss Linghu, that waste has no discerning eye, I have already dealt with him for you. " The Black-Clad Martial Saint then fixed his gaze on Li Qiu, saying, "It is not easy for the Linghu family to produce a Martial Saint, why wade into this murky water? One must understand that there are distinctions in Martial Saints, differences in strength. Judging by your aura, you have just recently stepped into the realm of Martial Saints. As a martial artist, is it not for the sake of establishing a name and reputation? A good bird chooses its tree to perch on, a scholar fights for those who understand him. King Liang is arrogant and overbearing, what is so good about him? Is it worth sacrificing your life for him?" A good bird chooses its tree to perch on, a scholar fights for those who understand him. King Liang is arrogant and overbearing, what is so good about him? Is it worth sacrificing your life for him?

The Black-Clad Martial Saint stood on a distant mountain peak, firmly locking onto the two individuals. It turned out that he had run ahead and reached a cliff behind them. With his Martial Saint cultivation, crossing a distance of several hundred zhang was not difficult; the trouble lay in the winding and slippery stone wall by the river, which was also interrupted at one point.

Xi Ri Xuan Hao executed his movement technique, running faster and faster. Today was the most embarrassing day of his life; the embarrassment did not stem from having to flee, but from the fact that he had only gained the opportunity to escape due to the chaotic attack. He was indeed brave, but he was not a fool; fleeing was not shameful, but it was disgraceful that he even entertained the thought of abandoning the chaotic individual. When a person is extremely angry, their potential often erupts. Xi Ri Xuan Hao had never moved this quickly before, leaping and bounding like chasing rain and wind, and soon he had shaken off his pursuers. Yet he did not stop, nor did he even want to slow down, continuing to run wildly. When a person is extremely angry, their potential often erupts. Xi Ri Xuan Hao had never moved this quickly before, leaping and bounding like chasing rain and wind, and soon he had shaken off his pursuers. Yet he did not stop, nor did he even want to slow down, continuing to run wildly. Linghu Tuan Yuan tried several times to tell him to let her go, that she could run on her own, but his alternating expressions of rage and ruthlessness silenced her. In the fine rain, the bushes and wild grass brushed past the two of them. Xi Ri Xuan Hao stepped over a muddy slope, only to find that ahead was a small valley. With no ground to land on in front and no foothold behind, he had no time to soar over the valley and fell down with Linghu Tuan Yuan. After falling for about three zhang, he bent his legs to absorb the impact, finally landing on solid ground.

Pingzhen coldly laughed after Linghu Yue and said: "What, are you about to die now? Are you planning to die for love or for honor?"

"Follow me!" Linghu Tuan Yuan shouted, but from the corner of her eye, she caught sight of Liang Wang being surrounded by several men. Distracted for just a moment, a strange long knife swept past her face. However, her escape skills were remarkable; in a moment of urgency, she bent down and lowered her head, twisting her entire body into an incredible two-part motion. The long knife sliced through a few strands of her flowing hair, severing them. Before the long knife could change its stance, Linghu Tuan Yuan sprang back as if equipped with a spring, her form resembling an arched bridge.

The carriage rushed into the valley, and Li Qiu said in a deep voice: "Be careful!"

Linghu Tuan Yuan could not help but be astonished, and after her astonishment, she found herself in a state of mixed laughter and tears. It turned out that Hong Fu Ren sought the unparalleled martial arts manual "Tian Yi Jue." Within the bloody history of "Tian Yi Jue," the lives of the Hong family had been added. The dagger indeed contained the words "Tian Yi Jue," but it was merely an empty three-character phrase. This was a mockery, a mockery that was exceedingly heavy; just these three characters drove the Iron Sand Palm to madly slaughter its own kin. ... Just these three characters continued the bloody and tearful history of "Tian Yi Jue," which was truly a mockery ... The dagger indeed contained the words "Tian Yi Jue," but it was merely an empty three-character phrase. This was a mockery, a mockery that was exceedingly heavy; just these three characters drove the Iron Sand Palm to madly slaughter its own kin. ... Just these three characters continued the bloody and tearful history of "Tian Yi Jue," which was truly a mockery ...

Linghu Tuan Yuan distinctly felt an aura that surpassed the Iron Sand Palm, could it be that Li Qiu is indeed a Martial Saint? Only the inner strength of a Martial Saint can be wielded with such ease and control

The calm Xiri Xuanhao said: "First, think about your situation! If I fall into their hands, I will at most die, but you will be in a dire situation, inevitably subjected to violation before being killed!"

As Xiri Xuanhao remained still, it was fine, but once he shook his body, Linghu Tuanran could no longer hold onto the stone wall, and the two of them fell together. Xiri Xuanhao closed his eyes, unwilling to see her brave appearance even in death. Linghu Tuanran widened her eyes in disbelief; this villain maintained his foul demeanor even in death. The turbulent waters of the Man Shen River rushed beneath them, and she clung to him tightly, surprisingly sharing life and death with him. No, she did not want this!

The guard said with a hint of admiration: "Lord Linghu, it truly makes me feel emotional that someone with the skills of Brother Liqiu is willing to serve as a steward"

Xi Ri Xuan Hao suddenly opened his eyes. Wan Fu effortlessly carried a person in one hand, lightly stepping on the mountain wall, and in just a few moves, brought both individuals back to the cliff.

Wu Que, dressed in the attire of the King of Liang, sat among the crowd, with Gu the guard obstructing his face

The carriage embarked on a mountain path, and Li Qiu said to the two, "Something feels off. Tongxi County has always been a region heavily affected by water disasters. At this time, regardless of who passes through the checkpoint, the soldiers should inquire about it, yet the expressions of those two are far too relaxed."

The river roared, and suddenly a gust of cold wind swept in, causing Linghu Tuan Yuan to feel a lightness in his body. A voice echoed softly in his ears, "Very good, calamity is upon you, yet you refuse to let go, quite reminiscent of your mother’s demeanor"

Dawn quietly illuminates the rain curtain, the rain weakens a little more, and the carriage rushes westward

Wang was left speechless, a tear rolling down her cheek uncontrollably. She and Hua Shuang had not been without sweet moments, but her relentless urging for Hua Shuang to serve the Wang family ultimately led to discord between them, resulting in their estrangement.

Linghu and others understood clearly that he was trapping them in the state capital, making it difficult for them to act, so that he could take action against King Liang.

Wang stared blankly at the two boxes of candied fruit, and after a moment, she resentfully said: "I married him at the age of dancing with a ladle, wasting over ten years of my youth. He treats me as a stranger and does not mention me, and even until his death, he still wishes to take my life. Had I known this, I should have exposed his treasonous plot years earlier"

Where is your little girl? After retreating from the temple, Hong Fureng executed the four members of the Hong family outside the city, but found nothing. Returning to the temple, he did not see Linghu Tuan Yuan, so he stealthily explored the state government at night. Unexpectedly, the guards of King Liang were also highly skilled and detected his movements, misunderstanding him as an assassin targeting the king. Hong Fureng fled in defeat and encountered the Black-clad Martial Saint, who, upon learning that he was searching for Linghu Tuan Yuan, earnestly invited him to join the army. However, Hong Fureng remained fixated on Linghu Tuan Yuan and had no interest in King Liang. Hong Fureng fled in defeat and encountered the Black-clad Martial Saint, who, upon learning that he was searching for Linghu Tuan Yuan, earnestly invited him to join the army. However, Hong Fureng remained fixated on Linghu Tuan Yuan and had no interest in King Liang

The guards, including Gu, were astonished to see the members of the Linghu clan swiftly arrange a formation in the spacious main courtyard. The perceptive Gu guard could not discern the nature of the formation, but felt that the positions of the individuals were intricate, subtly embodying the profound meanings of the Nine Palaces and Eight Trigrams.

Gu Shiwai wanted to ask further, but Linghu Yue remained silent.

Knowing that words cannot convey the message, stepping forward, the aura becomes apparent, "Since kind words do not work, then we shall see the outcome through action."

As long as you walk to the Man Shen River, you can head east along the river. Xi Ri Xuan Hao walked faster and faster, making it difficult for Ling Hu Tuan Yuan to keep up.

How could Linghu Tuan Yuan possibly want to die together with him? She had one hand embedded in the stone wall, her skin torn, barely managing to support the weight of both of them.

Li Qiu pondered: "In the current situation, the only plan is to charge straight ahead, all the way to the southern riverbank. If there are enemies approaching, you and His Highness should ride ahead, while I will stay behind to hold them off"

The setting sun cast a deep glow as Xirihuanhao walked ahead, prompting Linghu Tuanjuan to hurriedly catch up.

Linghu Tuan Yuan followed behind, panting heavily. After the fierce battle, her internal strength was even weaker, and her agility was less than half of what it used to be. She could only suppress her anger and push forward. As she ran, she felt hatred; her martial prowess was still insufficient, and her internal strength was still too weak. She needed stronger martial skills and more powerful limbs. The fine rain hit her face, and Linghu Tuan Yuan tasted the flavor of the rain, which was both damp and refreshingly cool.

Linghu Tuan Yuan glanced at him and said, "Where shall we go next? With you running off like that, I have lost my sense of direction."

After Linghu Tuan Yuan opened her eyes, she saw King Liang sleeping by her feet, his serene beauty strikingly different from his usual self. His long, dark hair was spread out in the carriage, and his loose black robe draped over him. His imposing features appeared pure and flawless at this moment, even the bloodstains on his face blended perfectly with the contours of his visage. Linghu Tuan Yuan shook her head; apart from seeing Li Jia Mu in her childhood, this was the first time she felt a strong sense of the beauty of a man's appearance. Unfortunately, he was a villain. A despicable person becomes a martial saint, and a malicious person is a handsome man; the world is unjust. Linghu Tuan Yuan shook her head; apart from seeing Li Jia Mu in her childhood, this was the first time she felt a strong sense of the beauty of a man's appearance. Unfortunately, he was a villain. A despicable person becomes a martial saint, and a malicious person is a handsome man; the world is unjust.

After a short while, the two had shaken off the black-clad martial saint of the beginning of autumn, who flew over the mountain pass, followed closely by the knife-wielder.

"Not good!" The Black-Clad Martial Saint exclaimed in anger, "Ling Hu Yue, Pan Yue, how dare you deceive! Where has King Liang gone?"

Under the sharp tongue of the Wang family in Pingzhen, their expressions gradually became menacing, yet they clenched their silver teeth and remained silent.

The upper half of the cliff is mostly composed of rocks, while the lower half is overgrown with moss. As the setting sun casts its golden light, Xiri Xuanhao realizes that there is no way to the bottom of the cliff, only the surging waters of the Man Shen River. He then leads Linghu Tuan Yuan to climb eastward. As Linghu Tuan Yuan continues to climb, her fingers become increasingly slippery, and seeing Liang Wang's face filled with disgust, she understands that he finds it even harder to endure than she does

Linghu Tuan Yuan sat beside Xi Ri Xuan Hao, watching as he carefully unfolded a scroll of paper. On the palm-sized sheet, there were only three red characters, written in a crooked manner—Tian Yi Jue

Then why not let go

Linghu Tuan Yuan was not afraid and climbed down anyway. At that moment, the two of them descended the cliff, using their palms to grip the wall as they climbed down.

Linghu Yue sighed, put away the candied fruit, and asked softly, "Do you still remember those few sheets of stationery? Filled with delicate and poignant words"

I want to throw it accurately... perhaps it will be thrown well, and I will have something to step on when I go down

"Do not rush to look!" Linghu Tuan Yuan scolded.

When Linghu Tuan Yuan burst out, fine water simultaneously traced several silver flashes, and seven poisonous thorns went bang, being knocked to the ground by her. Unlike the furious King Liang, Linghu Tuan Yuan remained vigilant, paying close attention to the movements around her. She discerned the tracks of the men on the official road and, with a sword move "Luan Xiang Feng Zhu", she charged into the enemy's ranks. The sword wielder approached, and as soon as Linghu Tuan Yuan drew her sword, he realized that the words of the Iron Sand Palm were not false. The young lady of the Linghu family possessed exceptional sword skills, and none of his subordinates could match her. The sword wielder approached, and as soon as Linghu Tuan Yuan drew her sword, he realized that the words of the Iron Sand Palm were not false. The young lady of the Linghu family possessed exceptional sword skills, and none of his subordinates could match her.

After the Black-clad Martial Saint shot and killed Hong Furun, the members of the Linghu clan maintained their formation, with no one showing any signs of fear, yet their hearts were inevitably filled with hesitation

"I did not ask who you are," the leader interrupted, "I only know that I am following orders. No one is to be allowed through the Tongxi checkpoint today"

Linghu Tuan Yuan approached Xi Ri Xuan Hao, holding the slender water in one hand. The soft sword's attributes were compliant; without the use of internal energy, it was merely a strip of cloth.

Xi Ri Xuan Hao is not an ordinary person; he navigates among the enemies, and although he cannot engage in close combat unarmed, he can still manage for a short time. He takes advantage of the enemy's numbers, weaving in and out to counter them. A red shadow flies in, and he knows that Ling Hu Tuan Yuan has arrived, so he heads towards the red shadow. The long knife follows closely, pursuing relentlessly. Ling Hu Tuan Yuan makes a powerful thrust, which is indeed excellent, but unfortunately, her internal energy is insufficient. The long knife, infused with substantial internal power, neutralizes her exquisite thrust through a combination of offense and defense. Blood surges, and Ling Hu Tuan Yuan retreats several steps before coming to a stop. The long knife follows closely, pursuing relentlessly. Ling Hu Tuan Yuan makes a powerful thrust, which is indeed excellent, but unfortunately, her internal energy is insufficient. The long knife, infused with substantial internal power, neutralizes her exquisite thrust through a combination of offense and defense. Blood surges, and Ling Hu Tuan Yuan retreats several steps before coming to a stop.

Pingzhen Road: "I fear this is precisely because she hails from the Wang family of Gaonan."

Wang said coldly: "Since Lord Linghu has already guessed everything, why bother to ask me again? It is unnecessary!"

Xiri Xuanhao, feeling annoyed, questioned him, "Who exactly are you working for?" The black-clad martial saint had not looked at him directly since his appearance, as if he regarded him as a dead man. Just as he took a step forward, he was stopped by Linghu Tuan Yuan, and only then did they realize that, unbeknownst to them, their hands had tightly clasped together.

Sigh... Do you think I don't want to let go?

Linghu Tuan Yuan was astonished

The Western Sun Xuanhao Fist struck with punches and kicks, repelling the surrounding enemies to the left and right. He charged forward just in time to catch Linghu Tuan Yuan, who had been shaken back. Linghu Tuan Yuan could tell from the aura that she had fallen into his hands, but her left hand was numb, making it difficult for her to wield the sword. It seemed that Xiyu Xuanhao understood the situation of the battle; he acted swiftly, turning his hand to lift her horizontally and ran away. Only if he escaped could Li Qiu possibly be saved; even if they could not defeat the Martial Saint, there was still a chance to flee. Only if he escaped could Hun Qiu stop forcing himself; Hun Qiu's internal strength was still far inferior to his. Only if he escaped could Li Qiu possibly be saved; even if they could not defeat the Martial Saint, there was still a chance to flee. Only if he escaped could Hun Qiu stop forcing himself; Hun Qiu's internal strength was still far inferior to his.

The girl hesitated for a moment, thinking that he still did not believe her. Seeing her unmoving, Xi Ri Xuan Hao waved his hand and brushed aside with a dagger, "What kind of sword is a woman playing with?"

The unheard words astonished Gu Shiwai and the others. Becoming a Martial Saint is almost the lifelong pursuit of a martial artist. For Hong Fureng, who practices the Iron Sand Palm, he is merely one step away from becoming a Martial Saint and is recognized as one of the top experts in the martial world. There are not many martial artists with the cultivation of Iron Sand Palm, and Martial Saints are even rarer. Yet Ling Hu Yue claims that Martial Saints are rampant, and Gu Shiwai cannot find a rebuttal, for he has just witnessed two before him

Linghu Tuan Yuan immediately cast aside her anger. Just as the moment passed, Li Qiu suddenly propped her elbow back, and the carriage walls instantly shattered into pieces, with long wooden blocks shooting outwards. Following this, Li Qiu extended her hands backward, reaching towards Linghu Tuan Yuan and King Liang. Linghu Tuan Yuan felt a sudden constriction in her breath as Li Qiu emanated a powerful aura, causing her to involuntarily lean against her palm. By the time she could catch her breath, she and King Liang had been taken hostage by Li Qiu, suspended in mid-air.

Linghu replied with a smile: "As everyone knows, His Highness Prince Liang has received the imperial decree to return to the capital"

The lack of a way out did not dampen Xi Ri Xuan Hao's spirits; he said coldly, "We will climb down and head east along the river"

Linghu Yue said with a solemn expression: "Fleeing might still be feasible. Fighting leads to a dead end."

On both sides of the valley, massive boulders and logs rolled down, accompanied by a few mournful whinnies of horses. Linghu Liqiu calmly led the two individuals, stepping on stones and flying over logs, hastening forward. The scenery on both sides receded rapidly, with the rolling wood and stone creating a thunderous noise, while only a few human heads faintly appeared atop the mountain. Xiri Xuanhao pondered inwardly that using these logs and stones against the three of them was akin to using a sledgehammer to crack a nut, thus the logs and stones were not prepared for him; the opponent should still be unaware that he had arrived in Tongxi County.

Pan Yue stood nervously beside Linghu Yue, surrounded by members of the Pan family. Pan Yue was well aware that Linghu Yue had brought out his family's old assets, yet there was not a single guard by his side; Linghu Yue's safety relied entirely on the people of the Pan family.

Xi Ri Xuan Hao stared at Ling Hu Tuan Yuan for a long time, the latter ignored him, but he heard him say: "Let's fight again!"

Xi Ri Xuan Hao had attempted several times to shake off Ling Hu Tuan Yuan. Ever since encountering the troublemakers from Xiang Jiang, he had been plagued by misfortune. However, he had also paused his movements several times to ensure that Ling Hu Tuan Yuan would not fall behind. The journey to Nan Yue seemed to bind him to the two prominent families with an invisible rope. Upon reflection, the Liang Wang concluded that if it were not for the intervention of the Pan and Ling Hu families, Tong Shan Cheng Zhou Fu would have been his burial place. The Liang Wang also figured out why the opposing side, despite having a Martial Saint, did not take action while he was heading south—if he were to die within the borders of Gao Nan, the Qin Wang would never have a chance to lay claim to the throne in his lifetime. Upon reflection, the Liang Wang concluded that if it were not for the intervention of the Pan and Ling Hu families, Tong Shan Cheng Zhou Fu would have been his burial place. The Liang Wang also figured out why the opposing side, despite having a Martial Saint, did not take action while he was heading south—if he were to die within the borders of Gao Nan, the Qin Wang would never have a chance to lay claim to the throne in his lifetime

King Liang looked on expressionlessly; the three characters written in vermilion were immensely heavy for him. He recognized this handwriting, which belonged to Emperor Xi Rihang of the Great Gao, who unified the world. Emperor Chang's civil and military achievements were revered as a model by the later generations of the Xi Ri royal family, yet his calligraphy was hardly worthy of high regard, being so unsightly. Xi Ri Xuanhao rolled up the paper and placed it into the envelope containing the poisoned needle

The unarmed nature of martial arts renders the title of saint a mere facade. True masters have no regard for the so-called title of Martial Saint.

Pingzhen changed its emotional appeal, which only caused Wang to shed tears frequently, yet failed to uncover the conspiracy of the Gaonan Wang family. Linghu Yue gave him a glance, and the group exited the room

The setting sun cast a crimson hue on Xiri Xuanhao's left shoulder, where a long knife had pierced through his scapula. His long hair hung down, and his entire body was suspended, blood flowing incessantly from the wound. In such a perilous moment, he surprisingly conceived an astonishing thought: he would rather die than be associated with this scoundrel.

As the two engaged, swords clashed and the sounds of blades echoed. The techniques were intricate and the paths of the swords unpredictable, appearing evenly matched. However, in terms of martial skills, Linghu Tuan Yuan had a slight advantage, though she was a level below in cultivation. Linghu Tuan Yuan understood in her heart that this was yet another opponent of the Hong Fu Ren caliber. Yet, the opponent would not show any mercy to the Linghu family. Therefore, after executing "Luan Xiang Feng Zhu", she twisted her body in mid-air, switching the fine water to her left hand, followed by the fierce "Long She Fei Dong". A bloody path must be forged, as Li Qiu could not hold on much longer, and King Liang was still unarmed. Yet, the opponent would not show any mercy to the Linghu family. Therefore, after executing "Luan Xiang Feng Zhu", she twisted her body in mid-air, switching the fine water to her left hand, followed by the fierce "Long She Fei Dong". A bloody path must be forged, as Li Qiu could not hold on much longer, and King Liang was still unarmed.

Hong Furens' startled cry quickly turned into a scream. His pair of black hands were raised high, then fell limply, followed by half of his body collapsing like mud, causing him to roll off the roof. After he fell to the ground, only half of his body remained along with a pile of minced flesh, his death more gruesome than that of the guard Mao, prompting many guards from the provincial government to involuntarily retch.

Wu Que rose and uttered a single sentence, which cost Hong Furun his life

A cold light pierced through the clouds and split the rocks, traversing the hundred-zhang expanse of the river, directly striking the chest of King Liang. King Liang swung his slender water blade with all his might, yet he could not sever the incoming light. With a resounding crash, Linghu Tuan Yuan focused his gaze and realized that the cold light was not an arrow, but the long knife she had fought so hard with. The long knife came with fierce momentum; the slender water blade not only failed to cut it, but was instead repelled by it. The long knife tilted and plunged into King Liang's left shoulder. King Liang's left hand, which was gripping the mountain wall, lost strength, and he immediately began to fall. Linghu Tuan Yuan suddenly reached out, but could not catch him, only managing to grasp a leg. However, the force of King Liang's fall was too great, and Linghu Tuan Yuan's strength was insufficient. Following his leg, it took a long time and considerable effort before she finally managed to secure his ankle.

"Hurry up!" Li Qiu shouted, but the shout was immediately drowned out by the overwhelming aura of the fierce battle between the two martial saints.

Let go

King Liang pulled the astonished Linghu Tuan back, but they could not retreat far, as soldiers swiftly descended from the mountain behind, cutting off their escape route

The black-clad martial sage silently observed for a moment and sighed, "Nan Yue Ling Hu, indeed lives up to the reputation." Among those present, he possessed the highest discernment and the strongest martial prowess. As the formation was dismantled for inspection, it became evident that each individual's cultivation level was low; however, when united in formation, their combined strength approached that of the guard, Gu. If a confrontation were to ensue, the ninety black-clad individuals he led might very well suffer losses. Both sides remained in a stalemate, with neither possessing absolute confidence in victory. If a confrontation were to ensue, the ninety black-clad individuals he led might very well suffer losses. Both sides remained in a stalemate, with neither possessing absolute confidence in victory.

Xiri Xuanhao's anger was evident in his furrowed brows, as he felt belittled by the fool. He noticed Linghu Tuan Yuan's serious expression, which exuded the demeanor of a swordsman, causing Xiri Xuanhao's frown to deepen. Despite their several entanglements, he had never seen her draw her sword, yet at this moment, she unsheathed it from her waist with practiced ease, effortlessly placing the blade across his shoulder. Thus, Xiri Xuanhao suppressed his displeasure and coldly said: "Remove it"

At the same time, letting go, in the next moment, Linghu Tuan Yuan suddenly lunged towards the official road, and Li Qiu vanished before the eyes of King Liang. For a moment, King Liang swayed his head left and right, unsure of which direction to look.

Only silver light flowed down, and the fine water traced a rainbow-like arc, resting upon the neck of the Liang Wang. "I dare not trouble Your Highness to take action; the reunion is no match. Your Highness, please proceed again."

King Liang replied: "Life has its value and worth. You do not understand this, hence your life is of low value; once you comprehend it, it will no longer be of low value"

The anger emanating from beneath the black-clad martial saint's hat was palpable, as Linghu Yue sent someone away right under his nose, which was truly a great humiliation for him

The Black-Clad Martial Saint chuckled coldly to himself, as the water disaster and the murder case occurred simultaneously. This was a heaven-sent opportunity; if not to eliminate the King of Liang now, then when? He further coerced and tempted Li Qiu with a few words, and since he had successfully cornered the King of Liang, he was no longer in a hurry.

You have been causing trouble for my sister, and His Highness Prince Liang could not stand by idly, so he took her away with him

At the beginning of autumn, Li Qiu coughed lightly. The two looked out of the car and saw a checkpoint ahead. The Tongxi County checkpoint is located in a valley, with a post station nearby and a small squad of soldiers stationed there. The checkpoint was open, and as Li Qiu drove up to it, two soldiers were sitting under a shed chatting idly. They lazily glanced at him but did not stop him, allowing Li Qiu to drive past.

At the onset of autumn, Liqiu responded, and Linghu Tuan Yuan understood as well. Since Gaonan is the opponent's main camp, the defense of the main camp is the strongest, yet it is also the most easily overlooked.

Suddenly, the carriage was filled with the glint of blades. Linghu Tuan Yuan, feeling a sense of injustice, thought, does one underestimate a woman wielding a sword? Meanwhile, Xi Ri Xuan Hao skillfully wielded a dagger, taking advantage of the sword's momentum, as the two engaged in close combat. Li Qiu heard the commotion behind and merely shook her head in silence

I have always admired the Nanyue family. Now, in place of the daughter of the Linghu family, this person has also brought an end to this pointless conflict. However, I advise everyone that as long as the waters of the Mianshen River do not recede, it is safer to remain in the prefectural capital. Having said this, he led the crowd away

Linghu Yue sighed, saying: "I shall call you Little Gu, Little Gu, this is an era overflowing with martial saints"

This time, both individuals were very attentive; the competition was based on martial skills rather than brute force, and they clashed with their weapons rather than with each other. However, neither was willing to concede. The cramped space of the carriage limited the young woman from fully showcasing her sword techniques, and the dagger was both short and unwieldy, leaving King Liang mostly on the defensive with little opportunity to counterattack

You! The western sun's profound energy and blood flow in reverse.

Life is life; how can there be distinctions of nobility and baseness?

The two individuals ran along the path, ascending the mountain trail, until they reached the edge of the cliff. Below the cliff lay the surging and tumultuous Man Shen River, with its waters rolling eastward, occasionally revealing remnants of wood on the surface.

Linghu Tuan Yuan leapt out of his embrace, puzzled for a moment. How could a villain, who is not lacking in intelligence, cause her to fall into the ravine? But she quickly turned her concern to Li Qiu, raising her head to look towards the hillside

How would Linghu Yue respond to him? The usually taciturn and low-profile Linghu Wushang stepped forward and waved his hand, saying: "Form the formation!"

Linghu Yue took out the two boxes of preserved fruits and said to her: "Do you know that although Hua Shuang despises you and has contemplated killing you, she remains indecisive. One of these boxes contains poison, while the other is harmless. You are still his wife, and he wants to give you one last chance to determine your own fate, whether to live or die"

Li Qiu traversed the valley path and lightly landed on the low slope, setting down two individuals. The official road ahead was straight and flat, while the valley path behind was filled with chaos, echoing with a loud roar. The crisis had not yet been averted, as a dozen strong men appeared on either side of the official road, with the leader causing Li Qiu to feel a sense of alertness.

Xi Ri Xuan Hao, however, reached out to snatch her sword, simultaneously delivering a kick to her abdomen. Ling Hu Tuan Yuan was caught off guard and was knocked down by him. In her anger, she thrust one hand into the stone wall, forcefully halting her fall. As the words "despicable" escaped her lips, she was suddenly startled by the sound of something slicing through the air behind her

Guard Gu said angrily: "I was almost schemed against by you, this venomous woman. You revealed the plot of Huashuang's rebellion to His Highness, all to drag His Highness to his death in Tongshan City. You come from a prestigious family in Gaonan, how can you not understand that once you get involved with the royal family, the entire family will face a disastrous end!"

Linghu Yue could only gaze at her with sadness; the so-called unwavering commitment of "I will not marry anyone but you" was, in fact, not due to tenderness

On the distant cliff, the black-clad martial sage held his breath and observed, while the swordsman who had once fought against Linghu Tuan Yuan was searching for throwable objects. Suddenly, the black-clad martial sage said sternly, "We must go!" Without further ado, he hurriedly led the swordsman down the mountain.

Today is the most perilous day. After taking a short nap, Xiri Xuanhao's mind became even clearer. There is a checkpoint to the west, which is certainly guarded against double meanings. If I were the opponent, I would undoubtedly know that I am not at Tongshan at this moment. In fact, the best route of travel last night was to head north.

After a series of clashing sounds, it was the weapons that first determined the outcome. The slender sword severed the dagger, and with a bang, half of the dagger shot into the carriage wall. Xi Ri Xuan Hao was momentarily taken aback, and the young girl was stunned. All that remained in the hands of King Liang was the hollow half of the dagger, revealing a dark yellow scroll. Could this be what Hong Fu Ren truly desired?

Linghu Tuan Yuan resentfully said: "Mind your own business."

The guard furrowed his brows and asked, "How is His Highness faring over there?"

Linghu Tuan Yuan stared incredulously at Li Qiu's face, realizing that Linghu Wai Guan, who had been running around at her father's behest, was actually a master of hidden skills. She was so close to him that even with her ability to sense hidden energy, she still could not determine his level of cultivation, yet she could distinctly feel his profound internal power

This woman possesses a strong will, and the only emotional barrier she can break is the word 'love', which is not directed towards Huashuang, but rather a sentiment of self-appreciation. Linghu Yue concluded, 'We cannot extract any information from her, keep a close watch, and ensure she does not resort to desperate measures.'

The knife-wielder saw the Liang King rushing towards him and thought to himself, "This is excellent," but then noticed that the Liang King suddenly changed direction midway and hurriedly ran towards the left hillside.

That is merely his insincere affection

Wang sat on the ground with a sullen expression

"Miss, you may leave first," Li Qiu said coldly

The beginning of autumn states: "My worthless life is but a trifle, yet you must not have any mishaps with His Highness."

In a small room of Tongshan Castle's provincial government, Ms. Wang hanged herself. She had just inserted her head into the noose made from the bed sheet, and her feet had not yet had time to kick over the wooden stool when Linghu Yue entered with his men. Ms. Wang suddenly kicked over the wooden stool, and a guard swiftly cut the noose with a flying knife, causing her to fall to the ground.

The leader immediately became solemn, "It seems I have hit the mark by chance; Your Excellency's cultivation is not shallow, and the relatives you seek must certainly be extraordinary"

Linghu Yue shook his head and said, "That was written by Hua Chen on behalf of his father, intended to comfort you." The Wang family remained expressionless, and Linghu Yue, feeling sentimental, continued, "You provoked Hua Ye, and he endured it. However, when he discovered the letter in your room, he could no longer hold back. He recognized that the handwriting, similar to his own, belonged to Hua Chen, and he misunderstood that after provoking Hua Ye, you also seduced his son, which led him to harbor murderous intent."

Xi Ri Xuan Hao took out a dagger, "This broken knife, let me get familiar with it first"

Linghu Tuan Yuan asked: "What should we do?"

Above the capital of Tongshan City, nearly a hundred men in black looked down at the people within the city. Even the guard Gu, whose cultivation was second only to Hong Furens, felt a cold sweat in his palms. Fortunately, he had heeded Linghu Yue's advice to send Prince Liang out of the city on a risky venture. Given the situation, if Prince Liang were still present, he would undoubtedly face disaster.

The leader looked at Linghu Tuan Yuan and King Liang, and said with a smile: "You brought a beautiful woman and a handsome young man, what kind of relationship are you seeking? I’m sorry, but the man must stay here alive, while the young lady can live a little longer!"

As the beginning of autumn approached, I furrowed my brows and said: "My lord, I have relatives living by the riverbank. With the recent flooding of the Man Shen River, I fear for their safety. Everyone has family and elders to care for; if the situation were to befall you, you would feel the same anxiety. I hope you can show some understanding in this matter."

Linghu Tuan Yuan responded, but a piercing howl echoed through the valley. Li Qiu immediately turned and repositioned to protect the two individuals, facing the valley.

As if sensing her emotions, Xiri Xuanhao slowly opened his eyes, and in an instant, his phoenix-like eyes sparkled with brilliance. He propped himself up, his flowing long hair swaying gently, and his open garment conveyed an air of boundless charm.

The peculiar nature of the knife indicates its uniqueness. As the beginning of autumn approaches, Li Qiu does not dare to be negligent and, cupping his fists, says: "We are in urgent need to head to the southern bank of the Man Shen River to search for relatives, and we hope that you all can facilitate our passage!"

The two individuals crawled eastward for a short distance when suddenly they both became alert. Linghu Tuan Yuan exerted himself to move closer to King Liang, but King Liang halted his ascent and turned to look back.

Hong Furong mocked from the eaves: "What of the Nanyue family? They should still hand over the Liang King and the young girl and surrender early. I, Hong, have always kept my word; once I have taken the people and the items, I will leave."

Linghu Tuan Yuan was momentarily dazzled as a shadow suddenly appeared before him. Once the shadow came to a halt, it turned out to be the black-clad martial sage he had encountered in the provincial capital.

Pingzhen Chang began to speak, and the more he spoke, the more he had to say. The aides relied on their words for a living, and Pingzhen's mouth, usually restrained, was now unrestrained. Hong Fureng became annoyed by his incessant chatter and threw a piece of tile straight at him. The strength of the Iron Sand Palm was formidable, and the tile, infused with internal energy, whistled through the air. Seeing this, Guard Gu raised his arm and stepped forward to block it for Pingzhen. As he moved, the Black-Clad Martial Saint clearly observed that behind Guard Gu sat none other than King Liang

Linghu Yue shouted: "You are on the brink of death, yet you still do not know how to repent. The traitors are likely you and the Wang family of Gaonan behind you, aren't they?"

Linghu Tuan Yuan was astonished, it is truly the Martial Saint

Chase! The Black-Clad Martial Saint was tightly entangled by Li Qiu, unable to escape for the moment, but saw King Liang embracing Linghu Tuan Yuan, leaping into the woods at the foot of the slope

But I heard Li Qiu solemnly say: "As a mere commoner, I do not understand those principles; I only seek to have a clear conscience before heaven and earth. The King of Liang, in the face of natural disasters and human calamities, disregards his own safety, and for that, he is worth my risking everything for him."

The black-clad martial saint beside him noticed something amiss and asked lightly: "Linghu Yue, where is your daughter?"

How can this be? Linghu Tuan Yuan immediately raised his eyebrows

Keep up, or roll down

The Black-Clad Martial Saint, without a moment's hesitation, struck his palm upon Hong Furens shoulder. The practical value of the Iron Sand Palm was already limited, and he was oblivious to the situation, only knowing to pursue a girl without regard for serious matters. Moreover, with Hong Furens identity exposed, the notorious reputation of the Iron Sand Palm was difficult to conceal, making it a burden to keep. With the Liang King having escaped, his plans had changed, and he needed to prepare for the worst.