Chapter 6: A Case of Backfiring

It turns out her birthday is March 21. Xiao Dan gazed at Luo Yushan's gentle and charming face, allowing his heart to ripple like a lake stirred by her delicate fingers, bitterly thinking: "I fear that after today, you will hate me to death; how could you possibly still be willing to share your birthday with me?"

On one side, Huzi was chatting with Gu Zhi about the amusing incidents from their recent hunting trip. He listened half-heartedly, yet his mind was preoccupied with the uncertainty of when Chang Yanwu would make his move. He quietly observed the surroundings, completely unaware of his godfather's presence.

Luo Yushan chuckled lightly and said: "Indeed, after being away for a long time, one naturally grows weary. The last time my father and I went to Cuixia Mountain for only half a month, I already missed home very much. What I was just thinking was..."

Duan Feng laughed dismissively and said, "With my three disciples attending to him, and he still has to take care of Luo Niujin's only son, trying to get away? Hmph, it's not that easy." Before he could finish speaking, a sudden shadow flickered, and Duan Feng had already reached out to grab Luo Yushan.

Luo Yushan felt a surge of emotion in her heart, but how could she abandon the lowly little egg and escape alone? If she truly did that, she would no longer be Luo Niu's daughter! She still smiled faintly and said softly, "He is here for me, it has nothing to do with you. I will keep him occupied, you hurry and find Uncle Gu."

Gu Zhiwei, fearing for Huzi's safety, called out: "You all wait here for a moment; I will go with Huzi and be back soon." With a swift movement, he caught up to Huzi's side. In no time, the two of them, along with the beasts, disappeared behind the dense thicket on the opposite side

Luo Yushan did not pursue the victory further, holding the sword and saying: "I apologize, my skills are lacking. I had no choice but to draw my sword for self-defense just now, and I nearly harmed you, elder."

Luo Yushan could not understand; she never expected there to be such a godfather in the world. Just imagine, if Xiaodan were to be with him, how could she not suffer?

The soft golden sunlight at noon illuminated her profile, casting a beautiful arc of light that highlighted the delicate and warm complexion of Luo Yushan, resembling mutton fat jade, with its faint fine fuzz. Xiaodan couldn't help but be entranced by the sight.

After two peaceful days, perhaps it was fate that things went smoothly, as Huzi took the initiative to suggest going hunting near Baishigu, which is more than fifty miles away from Tianlei Mountain Villa. Not only did he invite Luo Yushan, but he also remembered to ask Xiaodan to join them. Of course, in addition to the three of them, Gu Zhixing was also there, closely accompanying and protecting them.

Xiao Danxin said, "You are the daughter of the Luo family, so of course you think this way. If I really gave you a chance to live on the edge, facing danger and enduring hardships, I fear that after just a couple of days, you would cry out that you can't take it anymore. " He shook his head and continued, "We have indeed been to many places, but what I desire most is to find a place with mountains and water, and settle down with my godfather, living a relaxed life."

His unusual behavior startled the wild boar, which immediately became furious and bared its tusks, lunging at Tiger's throat. Tiger swiftly leaped to the left side of the wild boar, clenched his small fist, and struck its head with a "bang." The movement was seamless, but his aim was slightly off, missing the wild boar's left eye.

Seeing Xiao Dan frowning again, Luo Yushan said: "Xiao Dan, you really don't have to accompany me, just go ahead. I don't particularly enjoy hunting; although they are all ferocious beasts that can eat people, they are only doing so for survival"

Xiao Dan was taken aback and asked, "Then why did you agree to go hunting with Huzi and Uncle Gu?"

He instinctively glanced around, and only after noticing nothing unusual did he relax slightly, whispering: "Miss Luo, let us go and take a look as well."

Early this morning, Huzi and the others set out from the village to hunt. Duan Feng watched with delight in his heart, and surprisingly found that his thoughts aligned with those of Chang Yanwu. Once it was confirmed that Huzi's group was hunting near Baishi Valley, he hurriedly turned back to gather three disciples in preparation to take action. He was wary of Gu Zhi's cultivation level and did not dare to act rashly, waiting until this moment to finally show himself

As soon as Xiao Dan woke up, he rubbed his dry eyes and replied, "It's alright, I can go in the evening."

Duan Feng followed secretly along the road, only deciding to act when he confirmed that there were only four people in Huzi's group. Hearing Xiao Dan's call, he couldn't help but laugh mockingly, saying: "Do you want to recognize me as your godfather? Unfortunately, you are too foolish; I, an old man, would not deign to accept you!"

Luo Yushan could no longer bear it and was just about to plead for Xiaodan when Duan Feng coldly said: "Chang Laowu, stop acting. For your sake, I will let this foolish boy off this time. You take him and get as far away from me as possible."

A low laugh emerged from behind the bushes: "I am not your godfather; I am your grandfather!" An old man in a black robe leaped out, standing coldly in front of Xiao Dan and Luo Yushan. It was none other than Duan Feng from Liaozhou.

The more one harbors hatred in their heart, the more their face is adorned with a beaming smile, even to the point of being overly respectful, saying: "I have long admired you! My adopted son is quite lacking; to receive a kick from you is indeed his fortune. I must first express my gratitude to Brother Duan."

Little Dan, disregarding the surge of blood and energy, shouted with all his might: "Godfather, Godfather—"

Xiao Dan understood the meaning of these words; his godfather had also used a similar tone to 'request' something. However, Luo Yushan was different. From a young age, her parents instilled in her the values of kindness, benevolence, politeness, and tolerance. Moreover, Gu Zhi, Liao Feng, and others treated her with utmost care and affection, yet they never taught her a single thing about the harsh realities and dangers of the world

Xiao Dan was in a hurry. He had never witnessed Duan Feng's skills, but his disciple was able to contend with Gu Zhizhou for more than ten rounds before being defeated. This old fellow was certainly not to be trifled with. It was unfortunate for him to encounter a peerless expert like Luo Niu head-on, but he and Luo Yushan were not under his control.

However, even though Dan Yan has uniquely developed a teaching method that allows his disciples to independently comprehend the profound techniques of the immortals, he still needs to provide appropriate guidance and cannot completely let go. In this regard, Luo Niu is undoubtedly far inferior to Dan Yan. As a result, after more than ten years, Luo Yushan's foundation has become exceptionally solid, yet his actual combat skills are still not as rich as Xiao Dan's experiences gained from over a decade of wandering and struggling. On the other hand, the Thunder Sword Technique that his mother, Qin Rou, patiently taught him has allowed Luo Yushan to grasp about sixty to seventy percent of its true essence, but he is unable to fully utilize it due to a mismatch in temperament. Consequently, after more than ten years, Luo Yushan's foundation has become exceptionally solid, yet his actual combat skills are still not as rich as Xiao Dan's experiences gained from over a decade of wandering and struggling. On the other hand, the Thunder Sword Technique that his mother, Qin Rou, patiently taught him has allowed Luo Yushan to grasp about sixty to seventy percent of its true essence, but he is unable to fully utilize it due to a mismatch in temperament.

Little Dan was dozing off, half awake and half in a daze, when he suddenly heard Huzi ahead turn back and ask: "Little Dan, do you still want to wait by the lake for Uncle Chang today? Otherwise, we can play a little longer before heading back."

Duan Feng and Luo Yushan, moving with lightning speed, had already evaded two attacks. With a swift sidestep, they let Xiao Dan's punch pass by and laughed nonchalantly, saying: "Go ahead, shout! Shout with all your might! He is far away!"

Don't run, don't run, do I still have my life? Hearing Huzi's shout, the wild boar fled even faster, and in the blink of an eye, it darted into the bushes

Huzi, in high spirits, shouted at his fleeing sparring partner, "Hey, don't run away, come back quickly!"

Xiao Dan's gaze was also captivated by this extraordinary battle, feeling that Gu Zhi's guidance to Hu Zi was truly insightful. However, Hu Zi was mostly focused on the confrontation with the wild boar, so how much could he truly comprehend?

Almost in unison, Xiao Dan exclaimed, "A full man does not know the hunger of a starving man!" Both were momentarily taken aback, but then found it amusing, and couldn't help but exchange glances and laugh, feeling that the distance between them had significantly narrowed

Gu Zhi said coldly: "It seems that the day you agreed to meet has passed for more than half a month. Will he still come?"

After much anticipation, Huzi finally waited for spring to arrive and set out to hunt. Naturally, he was unwilling to simply give up and return home. A few of them briefly discussed and decided to venture deeper into the valley after lunch, hoping to hunt at least a couple of wild boars or black bears.

As soon as the words fell, Chang Yanwu rushed over with great urgency. He was still speaking incessantly, but upon seeing the scene by the creek, he immediately swallowed back a whole heap of words that had yet to be spoken.

As he turned sideways, he heard a "whoosh" as the sword energy grazed his chest, leaving a cut on his clothing. If it were not for Duan Feng's protective true energy, this single strike would have drawn blood.

Duan Feng, however, misunderstood and secretly felt both ashamed and angry, saying: "Alright, this little girl knows that I have made a significant blunder at Tianlei Mountain Villa, yet she deliberately uses her father's name to pressure me!"

Duan Feng listened to the conversation between the two with a slow and leisurely demeanor, and disdainfully remarked: "Have you come to an agreement? If not, why not just stay together?"

Upon seeing Chang Yan's expression, which was all smiles on the surface but devoid of genuine joy, Xiao Dan realized that this was a precursor to his scheming and underhanded tactics. It was certain that someone would soon face misfortune. Fortunately, the person standing opposite was Duan Feng, so he could only wish the old man good luck.

He forced out a smile that was even more unsightly than crying, and nodded, saying: "Alright, from now on I will remember your birthday, because it will also be my birthday."

He was acutely aware that any slight harm to this young girl was a sin he could never tolerate, let alone the fact that this sin was perpetrated by himself and his godfather

Chang Yanwu gritted his teeth, waiting for this fleeting moment of opportunity. Just as he spoke, in the blink of an eye, two beams of brilliance suddenly shot out from his lowered sleeves. They were a pair of hidden golden brushes, striking towards Duan Feng's ribs like venomous snakes lunging without warning.

Duanfeng's reputation as Chang Yanwu was already well-known, and he believed he was no match for him; otherwise, he would have taken action long ago. In a different context, he, the "Divine Machine", would not stoop to engage in a life-and-death struggle with such scum. However, Duanfeng was clearly intent on seizing love and competing for the spoils, which was something he could not tolerate.

At the critical moment of life and death, Luo Yushan's "Yuyuan" sword gleamed as it was drawn from her sleeve, slicing through a brilliant flash of purple lightning aimed at Duan Feng's chest. As the sword's edge emerged, a sharp and ethereal chill rushed forward, stinging Duan Feng's cheeks painfully. In that moment, he couldn't help but envy, saying: "This girl may not have high cultivation, but she wields a rare and excellent sword!"

At present, Gu Zhixuan chose a patch of grass by the stream to spread out a leather mat, and everyone gathered around to eat the provisions they had brought. The midday sun lazily cast its rays upon the group, making Xiaodan's eyes increasingly difficult to keep open

Duan Feng chuckled and said, "There’s nothing of great importance or triviality; I simply wish to invite Miss Luo to accompany me for a trip."

It would have been better if this had not been said; upon hearing it, Duan Feng was not only infuriated but also deeply embarrassed. In a fit of rage, he drew a pair of jade hooks and coldly exclaimed, "You little brat, you are seeking death!" He moved in for a second round of combat, wielding the jade hooks with vicious and dangerous moves aimed directly at Luo Yushan. Fortunately, he was somewhat wary of the jade-edged immortal sword and was reluctant to clash head-on with the jade hooks; otherwise, the two young ones would have met their end within a dozen exchanges.

At noon, a group of people arrived at Baishi Valley, a place where caves are abundant and vegetation is lush, making it a paradise for mountain birds and wild beasts. Unfortunately, just after winter, the scenery in the valley appeared somewhat cold and desolate. Aside from the occasional startled wild rabbit darting out from the grass and a few flocks of birds lingering in the area, the group searched for over an hour and only managed to catch a mountain jackal.

Huzi took a deep breath, twisted his body, and stepped into the stream, gliding across to the opposite bank. His eyes were fixed intently on the wild boar ahead, without turning back to mount his steed. He pursued it directly using his still somewhat unrefined wind control technique. Xiao Hei growled lowly, its emerald eyes shining brightly, and it was actually running faster than Huzi in pursuit of the wild boar.

At another time, upon hearing these words, Xiaodan would undoubtedly have raised both hands in agreement. However, now, such a notion clearly presents him with a significant dilemma.

Little Egg noncommittally murmured "mm," his eyelids drooping, leaving one unsure whether it was genuine or feigned, and he fell asleep on his own.

Upon her saying this, Xiao Dan felt even less able to leave. He could neither reveal the truth to Luo Yushan nor allow her to be truly kidnapped by her own godfather, which was indeed a difficult situation.

Xiao Hei charged out fearlessly, while Hu Zi leaped up with great excitement, shouting: "It's a wild boar, let me handle it!" He rushed past Xiao Hei, barehanded, to confront the wild boar

Luo Yushan said gently with a smile: "It's nothing, don't I have the same thought? By the way, where is your original hometown?"

He quickly came up with a clever idea and said: "Uncle Gu is likely to return at any moment. I advise you to leave quickly. If you run into him again, I fear he will not let you go so easily this time"

The wild boar, in pain, shook and roared in anger as it turned to bite the left leg of the tiger cub. Little Egg leaped into the air, forcefully kicked off the back of the wild boar, and performed a somersault before gracefully landing on the ground

A person and a beast began to fight by the stream. The tiger's movements were agile and his techniques swift, while an ordinary wild boar could not possibly contend with him. However, he suffered from a lack of strength, and the wild boar is one of the most robust creatures in the forest, with tough skin and dense flesh. Therefore, despite the tiger's continuous strikes landing successfully, it only provoked the wild boar to scream and desperately charge at him.

She was slightly taken aback and humbly said, "I do not know where you wish to take me, sir. If you wish to meet my father, I shall certainly guide you."

He was resolute in his decision: even if it provoked his godfather's wrath, even if it cost him his life, he would protect Luo Yushan at all costs, not even allowing a mere fingertip to touch her.

The wild boar endured two blows and realized that the tiger was not easy to deal with. However, after starving for an entire winter, having finally found delicious food, how could it simply give up? With a furious roar, it lunged forward once more

In the heat of the battle, Duan Feng's leg lifted and with a "bang," he kicked Xiao Dan's chest.

The wild boar, despite its tough skin and thick flesh, became dizzy and sore after being beaten severely. Feeling disheartened, it realized that if it continued to struggle, the little meat on its body would become a feast for others. Seizing an opportunity, it suddenly turned and fled into the bushes on the opposite bank of the creek.

A rustling sound came from the weeds behind him, startling Xiao Dan awake. He sprang up, positioning himself protectively in front of Luo Yushan, anxiously gazing at the source of the noise in the weeds, feeling a pang of guilt as he thought: "How could I have forgotten about the important matter?"

He chuckled sinisterly and said, "To be honest, I am here specifically for your father, Luo Niu! You should obediently come with me, and when he brings the second volume of 'Tian Dao,' I will ensure you remain unharmed. If you wish to play tricks, do not blame me for being ruthless!"

Luo Yushan did not know Duan Feng, but from his tone of voice, she could tell that the visitor was not friendly. Having been taught by the Luo Niu couple with strict family principles since childhood, she was also unwilling to lose her manners at this moment. Bowing gracefully to Duan Feng, Luo Yushan asked, "I am Luo Yushan, a junior. May I inquire about your esteemed surname and given name, and what brings you here?"

Little Dan did not answer her, and his drowsy eyes were surprisingly still at odds with him at this critical moment. Taking a deep breath to dispel the drowsiness from his mind, Little Dan said in a low voice: "Godfather, is that you?"

"Little Egg, did you make Uncle Duan angry?" Chang Yanwu suddenly turned furious and shouted, "Why aren't you quickly coming over to apologize and admit your mistake to Uncle Duan?"

Another kidnapping! Xiao Danxin felt a sinking sensation in his heart. He found it somewhat amusing yet frustrating, thinking about how Chang Yanwu had been busy calculating and planning for so long, only to have Duan Feng suddenly appear out of nowhere to seize the opportunity. What kind of situation is this?

Gu Zhilin stood about ten feet away, simultaneously supporting Huzi and offering guidance, treating this unfortunate wild boar, which had actively presented itself, as a target for Huzi's training.

Since Xiaodan learned the news the previous afternoon, Chang Yanwu had already excitedly rushed to Baishigu to scout the location. Although his injuries had not fully healed, he was still more than confident in dealing with a couple of tigers.

Completion! Little Dan's heart suddenly tightened. As the saying goes, plans cannot keep up with changes; who could have anticipated such a sudden turn of events? The opportunity presented by the godfather arrived just as it was mentioned

Chang Yanwu had guessed about seventy percent of the situation. He stroked his beard and leisurely walked up to Duan Feng, clasping his fists in greeting: "I am Chang Yanwu. A friend from the Dao has given me the elegant title 'Divine Machine Master.' That child, Xiao Dan, is my godson, and I was hoping to rely on him for my old age. Yet, he was beaten by you to the point of spitting blood and nearly losing his life. You still say I am meddling in others' affairs"

Suddenly, there was a faint rustling sound from the thicket on the opposite bank of the creek, and a dark wild boar charged out. It was evidently unaware of the danger posed by these people; even upon seeing the hunting tools strapped to the horse's back and the mountain wolf with its limbs limp and head drooping, it could not afford to be overly cautious due to its hunger and cold.

"Little Egg, Little Egg!" Noticing that he was in a daze, Luo Yushan called out to him twice. Suddenly realizing that Little Egg's gaze was blankly fixed on her own face, she couldn't help but lower her head and fell silent.

Luo Yushan shook her head and smiled, saying: "I would like to sit here for a while; it is rare to find such tranquility. If you want to see the commotion, you can go ahead by yourself."

After traveling more than ten miles, the Tianlei Mountain Villa disappeared into the towering mountains as the path turned. The number of travelers on the road gradually diminished, and eventually, it became difficult to encounter even a single woodcutter after walking five or six miles.

He did not turn back and said softly to Luo Yushan: "I will block, you go find Uncle Gu and Huzi"

Luo Yushan's cultivation is evidently at a considerable distance compared to Duan Feng. Although Xiao Dan is assisting from the side, the situation has already become critical within just a few exchanges.

When Xiao Dan saw Chang Yanwu arrive, he let out a sigh of relief and said, "If you had come any later, I would have been hit as well."

Duan Fenghei said: "Friend, why meddle in others' affairs?"

Xiao Dan let out a gasp and spat out blood, flying more than two zhang away. The pain in his chest was so intense it felt as if it were about to explode, and despite his desperate efforts, he no longer had the strength to struggle to his feet

Luo Yushan smiled charmingly and replied, "Don't you think staying in the mansion all day would be stifling? Taking this opportunity to come out for a walk, enjoy the breeze, and breathe some fresh air, along with the beautiful mountain scenery along the way, isn't that quite nice?"

Luo Yushan smiled like a blooming flower and gently nodded, saying: "Yes, it is our shared birthday"

Luo Yushan gasped in shock, and in a moment of distraction, she was found vulnerable by Duan Feng, who used a jade hook to entangle and send her flying with the immortal sword, causing her to stagger back several steps

Luo Yushan, completely unaware of the immense danger approaching, asked, "Xiao Dan, you have been wandering the world with your godfather for many years, surely you have been to many places? I truly hope that one day, I will have such an opportunity"

Chang Yanwu expressed his gratitude, saying: "Thank you very much, Brother Duan, I am truly touched!" As he spoke, feeling that his appreciation was insufficient, he simply bowed deeply to Duan Feng, touching his forehead to the ground.

Xiao Dan said: "This is a phrase my godfather often uses to teach me a lesson; I just blurted it out for some reason a moment ago"

The ice and snow on the ground have not yet completely melted, and four riders, two in front and two in the back, are walking slowly. Xiao Dan and Gu Zhi are riding together in the back row, and throughout the journey, Gu Zhi remains silent while Xiao Dan does not speak either. He sits on his horse, his head nodding as he dozes off, as if trying to make up for all the sleep he lost last night.

Her father, Luo Niu, is indeed one of the few top figures in the world, yet unfortunately, his ability to teach his children the art of cultivation is rather lacking. He originally intended to follow the teaching method of his mentor, Master Dan Yan, allowing Luo Yushan and her brother Huzi to comprehend various extraordinary skills on their own, believing that in due time, their efforts would naturally yield fruitful results

Duan Feng said proudly: "I am Duan Feng. You are the fifth of the Eight Ghosts of Beihai, Chang Lao Wu? I do not care about any small or big eggs, whether they are adopted sons or biological sons, as long as Luo Niu's daughter goes on a trip with me."

Little Egg fell silent for a moment and replied, "I am not sure either. My godfather found me at the street corner when I was just over three years old, and I have never known exactly what day I was born."

Luo Yushan's experience is far less than that of Xiaodan, so she naturally cannot discern the source of the sound. She merely assumes that a water bird or a small beast is hiding inside and smiles slightly, saying: "Xiaodan, why are you so nervous?"

Luo Yushan listened to his tone, which was calm, yet a hint of melancholy still lingered in his hazy, weary eyes. Unconsciously, she extended a delicate jade-like finger to gently stroke the back of Xiaodan's hand, intending to offer comfort, and softly said: "I apologize for prying. However, my birthday is on the twenty-first of next month. If you have not left the villa by then, let us celebrate together."

What troubled Little Egg even more was that the wolfdog, Little Black, was also accompanying them. Fortunately, it behaved itself along the way, only frolicking and jumping around in front of and behind Tiger, showing no interest in Little Egg.

After about a cup of tea, Huzi, being still young, gradually began to breathe more rapidly, and his face turned red. However, his movements became increasingly swift, and his fists fell upon the wild boar like a rain of blows, showing no sign of stopping.

Alright, are we thinking of a black-on-black scenario? Chang Yanwu felt a surge of anger rising in his heart, reflecting on the effort he had expended, using both coaxing and deceit, even shedding tears. After much difficulty, he finally convinced Xiao Dan to lead the Huzi siblings to a remote area. Just as he was about to take action, this old fellow suddenly jumped out, trying to take advantage of the situation!

The gentle breeze carries the soft chirping of birds from deep within the forest, while time slowly flows past the small stream in front of the two. In this moment, Xiao Dan sincerely enjoys the tranquility of sitting silently across from Luo Yushan, as if time is no longer prolonged, as if the sun is moving swiftly.

Duan Feng was greatly surprised, thinking that Chang Yanwu had truly been frightened into submission by his reputation. He couldn't help but smile, casually raising his hand in a gesture of support and saying, "Brother Chang, you are too polite. We shall meet again in the future"

Although he was politely sent out of Tianlei Mountain Villa by Luoniuke, he was extremely unwilling. Therefore, he simply found a cave in Jishi Mountain to reside in, on one hand allowing several disciples to recuperate, and on the other hand, monitoring the movements of the villa day and night

Xiao Dan did not wish to intervene, but Duan Feng's agility was too swift. Just as he raised his hand, the opponent had already circled around him and launched an attack towards Luo Yushan's face. Xiao Dan turned around and threw a punch at Duan Feng's back, shouting loudly: "This is bad, someone come quickly. Uncle Gu, Uncle Gu!"

Suddenly, a warning signal arose in my heart, and from the west, someone responded from a distance: "Fool, shouting so loudly will only bring the dead back to life! If Gu Zhi and the others hear us, won't all our good plans be ruined?"