Chapter Four, Four Smiles in the Palm

With a loud bang, Du Lai staggered back seven or eight steps, barely managing to steady himself.

Things are as the heart perceives, and the complexion is like the earth: "What use is even the best mechanism, if it can still be dismantled one by one, allowing you to walk out of the tomb door unscathed..." After saying this, he cautiously and hopefully asked: "My treasures have not been damaged, have they?"

A few people looked on, and the treasures that were dear to the heart were nothing more than some interestingly shaped trinkets, peculiar stones, strange plants, and so forth, all of which could not help but bring smiles. However, what was dear to the heart was presented to everyone like a treasure.

The object is driven by great anger: "If you have the ability, then go ahead and arrest me for interrogation, let's see if you have that capability"

Yang Shuang'er is the most well-behaved, and she immediately shook her hand with sincerity and said: "Grandpa, please give this midge tongue to Uncle Du!"

The prison king, Heishan, said nothing, seemingly acquiescing to this solution. The mechanism king, Baishi, smiled once more: "Willing to bet means willing to lose. While it is commendable for a person to defend the tomb of heroes with their own life, I fear the term 'hero' should be prefixed with two words, calling it 'untrustworthy hero' instead..."

He does not realize that perhaps the most untrustworthy among all the elderly in the world is this very person before him, who is driven by material desires

It turns out that the Dingjing Pavilion, the Pianxian Tower, the Gentle Village, and the Hero's Tomb are the four most secretive families in the martial world, each with their own unique and earth-shattering martial arts. However, the rules of these four families are extremely strict, and their disciples face numerous prohibitions while traversing the martial world, particularly against using their own family's martial arts. As a result, they have rarely been seen for hundreds of years. Although they occasionally engage in covert conflicts with various major factions, they remain largely unknown, and ordinary people in the martial world are completely unaware of them.

Du Siyuan's eyes lit up as he picked up an object from the pile of treasures that were born from the heart. It was a piece over five feet long, with a pale blue color, yet it shimmered with a light that appeared and disappeared intermittently.

Seeing that the other party was so familiar with this matter, I surmised that they must be asking about something else. I nodded and said: "Even if I lose once, that's fine. Just go ahead and ask what you need to ask!"

Among them, Du Lai Wuyang and Zhao Xingshuang are known as two of the four great masters of hidden weapons in the martial world, with their skills in hidden weapons only second to the King of Hidden Weapons, Lin Qing, and surpassing another renowned master of hidden weapons, Ge Shuangshuang from the Qianshoumen of Huangshan, known as "Dian Dian Fan Xing".

The poison has been well-preserved after enduring many battles, and although the incident occurred suddenly and could not be avoided, I still managed to gather my strength in time to confront that person head-on with a powerful strike

Everyone listened to him speak eloquently, all were stunned; even Du Si, who was well-read and knowledgeable, had never heard of the name of this attic village grave.

The person on the left has a face as dark as ink, with a tall stature, making it difficult to discern his age. However, his eyes reveal a fierce light, and his expression is cunning and malicious, indicating that he does not appear to be from the Central Plains. He does not speak, merely gazing at the objects with a cold smile.

The poison has not yet taken effect, and I have ample time. Taking a few steps: "Several brothers, guard the surroundings. Xu Moyang, as a general personally appointed to deal with serious offenders, must not be allowed to escape. I am here to experience the ultimate skills of the heir to the military armor."

Xu Moyang was astonished to see that the tongue was already over five feet long, truly unable to comprehend how large that python must be

The object is determined by the heart: "How can this be? Am I not a criminal then?"

The official Wang smiled faintly: "Since the matter is already prepared for me to inquire, does that mean you have admitted defeat?"

Du Si's chest rose and fell incessantly, as if he were overwhelmed with excitement: "This creature, strictly speaking, is not a type of snake or python, but belongs to an ancient species that is nearly extinct, known as the 'Mong.' It is found only in the Tianshan Mountains and is named 'Lotus Mong' because it often guards the snow lotus that grows there. Although it is non-venomous, it is extremely ferocious and will actively attack anyone or any livestock that approaches."

Qian Nan had just been nearly killed by Wu Youxin in the Ghostly Valley. At this moment, seeing Wu Youxin sitting on the ground, cultivating to heal the poison, anger surged in his heart. He held his staff and stepped forward, wishing he could smash Wu Youxin's head with a single blow. This person was determined to take revenge; seeing that the opponent was completely at a disadvantage, he could no longer contain himself and struck before the poison could take effect.

The official Wang bowed deeply to several individuals and said: "If there are no objections, let us proceed as such. I, Baishi, express my gratitude in advance!" This person remains composed when in a position of advantage and does not lose his poise when at a disadvantage, truly displaying a demeanor that commands respect.

The Thousand Difficulties Ascetic, filled with indignation, struck out; in just a breath, the Zen staff had reached the top of Du Si's head. Du Si lightly raised his small knife to meet the Zen staff. Although the short blade could not match the force of the opponent's heavy long weapon, he did not retreat even half a step

Although the newcomer repelled Du Lai Wuyang with a single palm strike, everyone present, whether a master of their own sect or someone with a profound family background, were all martial arts experts with keen insight. They could all see that the person did not possess martial skills significantly superior to those of Du Lai Wuyang; rather, they had merely leveraged the momentum from their descent, allowing Du Lai Wuyang to absorb the full force of the impact from a height of several dozen zhang, resulting in such a remarkable strike

Xu Moyang, upon hearing Du Si's tone, felt a sense of awareness and immediately asked, "What is meant by 'the tongue adorned with lotus flowers'? Is it a divine object for refining treasure armor?"

Du Si was inexplicably excited and asked Wu Youxin: "Is the head of the python shaped like a square, with three hidden eyes? Is the body as thick as a human leg, and does it emit a dark golden light all over? I wonder how big this python is?"

Xu Moyang acted with maturity, observing that the Mechanism King and the silent yet imposing Prison King seemed unrelated to him. It would be best to use words to mitigate their mutual hostility. He had just heard Du Si speak of the renowned reputation that echoed in all directions, and it was clear that his subordinates were formidable. If they could avoid conflict, that would be ideal. Looking at Du Si, the two exchanged slow nods and communicated with their eyes, understanding that they shared the same intention.

The poison came without a trace, and the keen insight was remarkable, as it had long been apparent that among the four, the most formidable was the one known as Wuyouxin, with his three thousand strands of white hair. His mind was dark and brooding; after Wuyouxin made his move, he first used words to stabilize the opponent, only revealing his ruthless nature after the poison took effect. Although Xu Moyang had crossed paths with him, how could he have anticipated that the poison came so masterfully and subtly from Wuyouxin's hands

The martial arts of the Mechanism King remain unknown, yet this person, in just a few casual remarks, firmly gained the upper hand, truly living up to their reputation

Xu Moyang listened to the saying that one should let the heart guide the perception, and upon raising his gaze to look around, he indeed saw the large rock standing firm and undisturbed, forcing everyone to circle around it, nearly causing them to become dizzy. Throughout his life, he had traversed beyond the Great Wall and encountered many extraordinary experiences, yet compared to the marvels and wonders of this day, they were all insignificant.

Poison comes without harm, gaining fame through toxicity, and it injures invisibly; the shield of the young master Jun Donglin excels in strategy, moving only after careful planning (for the story of Jun Donglin, refer to the general series "Breaking the Waves Cone"); the city lord of Wushuang City, Yang Yunqing, excels in the delicate and agile technique of repairing the sky and embroidering the earth, with precise hole recognition; the master of the Falling Flower Palace, Zhao Xingshuang, excels in the ever-changing hidden weapons of the flying leaves and flowing flower rain, making them difficult to defend against.

The official Wang smiled and said: "Not necessarily. As long as the elder guarantees to answer truthfully, we will not make things too difficult for you."

"What is this, Mechanism King?" As Yang Shuang'er’s smile slightly diminished, she took out the heavenly maiden's scattered flowers from her bosom. This time, it was Mechanism King and Prison King who were greatly astonished.

The object is perceived through the heart as Du Si laughed heartily: "If it weren't for your righteous words just now, I would have been driven to desperation by that Mechanism King. I have a connection with you, old man; there are two conditions: one is to have this young girl recognize me as her grandfather, and the other is to allow me to accompany my elder brother on a trip. I've been stuck in this valley for too long, and it's made me sick of boredom." Despite his head full of white hair, he always believed himself to be young, and he even referred to Du Si, who appeared to be over ten years younger than him, as 'elder brother,' which secretly amused everyone present.

Things arise from the heart, and the path is wondrous: "What offense have you committed?"

It turns out that just now, although the object was brushed aside by the white hair, it had already been tainted by the poison on the dart. This poison is colorless and tasteless, and at this moment, it suddenly took effect. With the pure internal energy of the object, it was caught off guard as the poison force surged along the hair roots directly into the brain, and for a moment, it could no longer withstand it

As the crowd looked up in response to the sound, they saw clouds and mist swirling down, and a small black dot floated gracefully down from the high peak of the Ge Yun Mountain. As it approached, they realized it was a person, riding the clouds and mist with a rushing momentum, heading straight towards Du Lai Wu Yang.

Du Si looked up to the sky and laughed, saying: "Yet we do not know what the three are betting on? As outsiders, we might as well serve as impartial arbitrators"

Du Si, as the sixteenth generation heir of the Bingjia Sect, wields a small knife known as the "Po Xuan Ren". Although it appears worn and old, it is extraordinary, emanating a faint red glow when he channels his energy through it

Despite feeling a mix of great sorrow and joy, and although there was some reluctance, it was understood that these two individuals were not to be trifled with, and thus a nod was given in agreement

At present, everyone has their own name and surname, and the origins of things are uniquely derived from the heart. Not wishing to elaborate further, Du Si also refrained from asking too many questions

With a crisp sound, the powerful strike filled with immense force was unexpectedly caught effortlessly by Du Si's small knife

After the sound of the grave mechanism clicked several times, the large stone that served as a tombstone slowly moved aside, revealing a dark, gloomy entrance. Two individuals were already standing within, both exuding an air of unparalleled arrogance. It was as if they had not just emerged from a grave, but had instead stepped onto a golden palace!

The master of the organization always speaks with a smile, yet each word strikes at the heart of the matter, clearly indicating that he values the reputation of his school above all else. Although he may sometimes be unforgiving in his reasoning, upon careful reflection, one must admit that his arguments, though seemingly fallacious, do possess a certain logic.

The two walls of the Ge Yun Mountain Range are as straight and smooth as if carved by a divine axe, rarely visited by people. Therefore, Du Si Cai had no choice but to bring Xu Mo Yang and Yang Shuang Er from the You Ming Valley to the Xiao Wang Mountain Villa. This person did not know what method was used to reach the peak, and what was even more astonishing was that so many experts were completely unaware of his appearance. Although it took advantage of the blind spots in everyone's observation, it was still unexpected for everyone to find someone at the summit.

The scholar, with a solemn expression, said: "The thousands of difficulties are merely a result of exhaustion that has slightly injured one's vital energy, but the old man is in a much worse situation!"

The Prison King sneered coldly and was about to make a move when the Mechanism King reached out to stop him. Turning around, he gave a deep bow to Du Si and said, "Since Old Wu has already admitted defeat, it is unreasonable for him to act this way now. Fortunately, there are many heroes present to bear witness. If we let Old Wu go, it would not be a problem, but the name 'Hero's Tomb' can be changed to 'Rogue's Tomb' in the future. I hope all the heroes can help promote this in the Jianghu..."

Xu Moyang smiled and said: "Since the Mechanism King is so courteous, there is no need for the old man to be anxious. Why not listen to what question needs to be asked?"

The matter arises from the heart, and it is indeed urgent: "My mind is old and muddled, I fear that even if you take me, I won't be of much use." He appeared to be quite aged, yet at this moment, he looked at everyone with a face full of pleading, resembling a child who has made a mistake hoping for the adults' forgiveness, which made everyone unable to help but laugh inwardly.

Before the words had left her lips, Yang Shuang'er had already bowed respectfully to the object of her heart, calling out "Grandfather"

Du Lai Wuyang, unfamiliar with the roads outside the fortress, lost track of Xu Moyang. While searching around the outskirts of the Ge Yun Mountain Range, he unexpectedly saw the celestial flowers released by Yang Shuang'er. Upon hearing the news, he hurried over and met up with Ji Quanshan, Qi Chui Cheng, and Qian Nan on the way, and after clarifying the situation, they all pursued together. However, Xu Moyang and the others were delayed by the stone formation, which caused them to lose some time, and they were ultimately caught up by the four of Du Lai Wuyang.

Yang Shuang'er scratched her face with her little finger and said, "Nonsense, with your eyesight, how could you not see clearly? Do you say you recognize this thing or not?"

Things are driven by the heart, and great joy exceeds expectations. With a toss of the head, the long white hair swirled in circles before the King of Mechanisms and the King of Prisons, followed by a hearty laugh: "Come, come, my dear granddaughter, let these two ambiguous beings try my homemade white hair noose."

The prison king shouted, "Even if you regret it now, what means do you have to stop us?"

The fireworks rose and burst in the sky that was neither fully dawn nor fully dark, dispersing into a misty form, from which eight beams of colorful light shot forth into the morning sky, enduring and remarkably beautiful. This spectacle prompted Yang Shuang'er and Wu Youxin to clap their hands and shout in delight. By the time the fireworks had faded, the Mechanism King and the Prison King had already vanished without a trace

The first layer of internal energy primarily focuses on unloading, dissipating the poison with a harmless palm strike; the second layer of internal energy is exceptionally gentle, absorbing every drop of poison from the harmless palm; the third layer of internal energy is extremely strong, reversing all the absorbed poison; the fourth layer of internal energy resembles a strange heat, rushing through the meridians of the arm towards the heart. Despite the opponent's mastery of poison techniques, they seemed to have anticipated his unique method of cultivating energy, effortlessly receiving a palm strike without sustaining any injury.

This person, with a playful and comical nature, at this moment is attempting to take their own life in such an absurd manner—by hanging themselves with their own long hair. The onlookers are filled with both anxiety and amusement.

As a descendant of the Bingjia sect, Du Si possesses an unparalleled familiarity with various weapons. In the instant of contact with the Qian Nan staff, a subtle flick of his wrist transforms the Breaking Xuan Blade into countless variations, striking precisely at the nine-inch mark of the staff's tip amidst the myriad shadows of the staff, which is indeed the most challenging point for exerting force with the Qian Nan Zen staff

Yang Shuang'er, with a sense of righteousness, asked: "Does having the celestial maiden scatter flowers mean I can command you to do something?"

Du Siyuan saw that the Mechanism King was full of clever schemes, leading Wu Youxin to admit defeat on his own. In terms of both emotion and reason, it seemed there was no argument left to make. Although he wanted to help Wu Youxin, he found himself at a loss for what to do.

The poison recedes without harm, stepping back a few paces to begin countering the strange backlash from the approaching individual. The wrist feels slightly heavy as several iron lotus seeds and poisonous thorns have quietly fallen into the palm, poised to strike. However, there is a sudden warmth in the palm, as if pricked by a sharp object.

The old man did not mention his origins at first, did he? Moreover, it was you who proposed the bet that I could not emerge from the grave within two days. Now you are going back on your word; does this not damage the old man's credibility?

With a thousand difficulties and no success in a single move, it provoked a fierce nature. Just as it was about to pounce forward again, it was stopped by a hand that came without harm.

The Zhi Lei Sword of Qi Zhui Cheng was destroyed in a single move by Du Si, which was a result of deep-seated grievances. Ji Quanshan, having spat blood and retreated from the hotel, was filled with intense hatred. At this moment, they all stepped forward, and the situation was extremely critical.

Things are driven by impatience: "No, no, we are betting our heads!" Rubbing the long white hair on his head, he murmured, "How could I have known I would lose? I was just joking with those two at most!"

The official Wang gently said: "I have heard the news about the Hero's Tomb and the unparalleled skills of the world, but in my opinion, it is nothing extraordinary. Now, I would like to ask Master Wu to elaborate on the art of discerning heroes and talents at the Hero's Tomb."

Hahaha... A person approached, wearing a high-crowned hat and a robe, with a face like a plump jujube and a full beard. He first let out a long laugh that startled the morning birds into flight and made the grass and trees sway lightly: "The general's poison comes from afar, and I, with a smile, welcome the Wind of Laughter to the Mountain Villa."

The Mechanism King smiled gently, raised his hand to stop the Prison King, and looked at Yang Shuang'er without saying a word. The Prison King seemed to be entirely focused on the Mechanism King, took a deep breath, and remained silent.

Du Sidao: "The midge is not a type of python, and it possesses a unique personality. Although it is inherently brutal, it is extremely loyal to its master. If its master dies, it will seek revenge and then starve itself to death. Therefore, it is rare to find a midge that grows to such a size in the world. This time, it is truly a matter of fate!"

Even the highly intelligent Wang Zhihui could not think of a solution at this moment, and could only obediently respond with "Yes".

The official Wang smiled faintly: "The old man may not intentionally want our heads, but we are indeed participating in this gamble with our lives on the line"

Xu Moyang and Yang Shuang'er listened to the events in Du Simen along the way, and seeing that his wishes were fulfilled, they were both happy for him

The object cried out in frustration: "It is unfair, it is unfair. You did not mention that you are the king of mechanisms. Had I known earlier, I would have certainly competed with you in other ways."

Since Xu Moyang was glanced at by Qiao Zhuo, he has become extremely sensitive to various sensations in the world. At this moment, he inexplicably felt something unusual in his heart, and without thinking too much, he abruptly drew his sword.

Du Si and Xu Moyang are both concerned about the matters arising from the heart, yet they find themselves at a loss for solutions

The Prison King chuckled and said: "They are not prisoners, just my guests." He emphasized the word 'guests,' which sent a chill down the spine of those who heard it. The Prison King, skilled in the art of interrogation, naturally knew how to use words to increase the pressure on others.

The objects are intricately arranged by the mind, and he slowly said: "The arrangement of the chaotic stones in this place is quite scholarly, subtly aligning with the celestial constellations above, and there seems to be a formation hidden within. Although I have resided here for a long time, I have yet to fully comprehend it."

The four great families, though secretive, how could they possibly conceal themselves from the vast intelligence network that spans the capital and beyond? Such trivial matters are certainly not worth inquiring about with the old man.

Poison came without warning, and upon looking down in shock, he saw four curved lines suddenly appearing in the palm of his hand, resembling four strange smiling faces etched into his palm. His heart trembled, and he couldn't help but ask, "Who are you?"

Although it was somewhat anticipated that this person was the Mechanism King Bai Shi, hearing him admit his identity still sent a shock through my entire being. Especially after just hearing Du Si recount the origins of the renowned figures from all directions, encountering the person immediately heightened his presence. The dark-skinned foreigner must surely be the Prison King Hei Shan, who is inseparable from the Mechanism King.

Yang Shuang'er was even more pleased: "Are you not the renowned people from all directions?"

The object was momentarily taken aback, and in a state of panic, felt utterly lost, then burst into loud cries. It is remarkable that despite his age, he could cry so freely, surpassing even that of an ordinary child.

The object is recognized by the heart, and behind it stands the monk Qian Nan, who had just been robbed of the heavenly maiden's flower scattering. Seeing his gaze fixed on him with resentment and malice, he chuckled and said: "No harm done, I also accidentally injured this monk just now, so we are even."

The phrase "things arise from the heart" likely evokes memories of that scene from years ago, with lingering fear: "Indeed, I was just about to go pick snow lotuses when that thing suddenly emerged. If it weren't for my divine strength, exceptional skills, and great courage..." At that moment, I began to boast again

Wait! Are you a very reasonable person, Mechanism King? The one speaking is actually Yang Shuang'er, who had not said a word until now

The official Wang felt a great chill in his heart, yet on the surface, he remained calm and composed: "May I ask, young lady, where did this firework come from?"

Things arise from the heart, and within the heart lies great wonder. The master of mechanisms does not inquire about his chaotic skills amidst the torrential rain and tumultuous clouds, but rather seeks to understand his knowledge of eloquence and heroic techniques, which is indeed difficult to comprehend. Although he appears innocent, he is by no means a fool or an idiot; with a quick turn of his eyes, a plan forms in his mind. He murmurs: "I was expelled from my master’s teachings early on, and thus I have no chance to learn the art of eloquence and heroism."

The Mechanism King Baishi turned his gaze towards Du Si, still maintaining a demeanor of calm politeness: "This brother, I do not know who you are, but my interaction with the Prison King was merely a bet with this old man, and it is absolutely unrelated to General Ming. Your words are clearly inciting discord within the royal family!" Although the Mechanism King was courteous, his words were neither servile nor overbearing, subtly revealing his sharpness, truly deserving of his reputation as a prominent figure known throughout the land.

Du Si had a clear distinction between恩怨 throughout his life. Xu Moyang was entrusted to him by巧拙, and Yang Shuang'er was also brought by a friend of the青衣人. Although he had just met Wu Youxin, they felt a strong affinity. At that moment, he tightened his grip on the small knife, secretly making a resolution that today, even if he were to die in battle, he would not allow the enemy to easily harm Xu Moyang, Yang Shuang'er, and Wu Youxin.

Du Si let out a low sigh: "I never expected that even the renowned figures from the capital would intervene in this matter; the general's power truly rivals that of the emperor."

The official Wang shrugged nonchalantly and said, "That is of no consequence!"

Things are as the heart desires: "Do you know what this is?"

With great excitement, Wu Youxin said: "When we have time, I will properly show Xu Xiaodi the features of his face. For now, let us set off to Xiaowang Mountain Villa. I have long heard of the infamous Killing Tree in the Crossing Tribulation Valley, and I would not dare to provoke it lightly. Now that there are more of us, I am no longer afraid." He then pretended to be mysterious and whispered: "In the future, if I use the martial arts of our sect, you must testify for me."

The scholar smiled gently, appearing as shy as a woman, completely unconcerned by Xu Moyang's fiery gaze fixed upon him: "The old man is right, since we are both victims of misunderstanding, we are even now!"

The man smiled slightly: "Elder, you need not worry. If I cannot exit this tomb without sacrificing a single item and solely relying on my intellect, can I still be considered the King of Mechanisms?" Although his words were respectful, his expression was one of pride.

The Prison King, pointed out by the Agency King, smiled slightly and said, "The Prison King knows best how to make people reveal their innermost secrets. Old Wu, do you want to give it a try?" This person always spoke with a smile, yet his words were merciless, containing an implicit threat

The official let out a long sigh: "Indeed!"

The shock in his heart was far from the one-sided disadvantage that appeared on the surface. When that person descended from the sky, he was already prepared to channel his internal energy to inject the deadly poison into his opponent's body. However, at the very moment their palms met, the opponent's palm strength fluctuated unpredictably, changing seven different techniques in the blink of an eye, either sweeping with an open palm or pressing with a bent finger, employing a very peculiar internal force that could either expand or contract, launching four successive waves of internal energy.

After exiting the Valley of Shadows, the terrain suddenly opened up, revealing a large basin surrounded by mountains. Although it lacked the flowers and grasses found in the Valley of Shadows, peculiar stones stood scattered all around, presenting a scene quite different from that within the Valley of Shadows

Everyone was stunned upon hearing this, and only then did they understand that Du Si's excitement stemmed from finally finding a treasure that could be used to forge a divine weapon

Everyone thought it made sense; seeing the Mechanism King and the Prison King facing the four without any fear, it must be due to their astonishing skills. While one might be able to contend with a single opponent through sheer will, whether the combined efforts of Du Si, Yang Shuang'er, and the injured Xu Moyang could withstand the other remains uncertain

The head of the organization chuckled: "The master of the Eye-Opening Pavilion, Jing Chengxiang, is pure and unpretentious, embodying a sense of righteousness; the master of the Fluttering Pavilion, Hua Xiuxiang, is lively and unconventional, often taking a different path; the master of the Gentle Abode, Shui Roushu, possesses a natural grace and is at ease; the master of the Hero's Tomb, Wu Tiancheng, is filled with heroic spirit and righteousness, expressing his aspirations through song. All of them are extraordinary individuals, yet the elder's inconsistent statements and numerous flaws would surely provoke laughter from the younger generation of the martial world. If this continues, it seems that returning to the gates of Wu Tiancheng will become increasingly difficult."

The object sighed and said, "Alright, as long as you do not inquire about my sect, I can agree to anything." However, upon saying this, he suddenly jumped up and added, "No, no, first clarify whether you have won the bet against me before we proceed."

Xu Moyang stood before Yang Shuang'er with a sword in hand, shouting loudly: "Everyone step back, be careful of his poison, he—he is the poison that comes without harm!"

As soon as the scholar's voice fell, a loud roar erupted from within, causing him to fall to the ground, his face pale, closing his eyes to channel his energy, for he had already been struck by a lethal poison

Things are as vast as the heart: "If you know everything, then why ask me anything?"

The scholar smiled faintly and said, "You are mistaken, although you have harmed Master Qian Nan, I have offended even more."

Everyone recalled that just now, the Mechanism King Bai Shi mentioned wanting to hear about the art of discerning heroes and debating their merits in the Hero's Tomb. As the name suggests, they all understood how remarkable the insight of Wu Youxin was. At that moment, they began to discuss the mysterious glance that filled the space between Xu Moya and skillfulness.

As the sky began to brighten, the four individuals finally emerged from the Valley of Shadows

The General's poison, the Young Master's shield, the Unmatched needle, the Rain of fallen flowers. These four phrases refer to the four individuals who are universally recognized in the martial world as the most formidable to provoke. Perhaps these four do not possess exceptionally high martial skills, but each has a unique and astonishing mastery that leaves the people of the martial world in awe.

Yang Shuang'er let out a startled cry and, gathering her courage, reached out to touch it. She felt that the object was both smooth and rough, with a very resilient texture. Had it not been for the explanation provided by Wu Youxin regarding its origin, she would never have guessed that it was actually the tongue of a large python

The momentum from the fall of the person from the height of one hundred zhang was entirely transferred to the poison, which performed several somersaults in the air before gracefully landing.

"Wait, I cannot let the secrets of this sect be revealed with my departure." Wu Youxin embraced the large tombstone engraved with the words "Hero's Tomb" into the grave, activated the mechanism, and locked the tomb door. Reflecting on the earlier events, he sighed, "In this world, perhaps only the Mechanism King can come and go freely in my heavily fortified tomb."

Things arise from the heart: "What will you do if you have a change of heart?"

Du Siyuan saw the situation taking a turn for the worse, yet he admired the Mechanism King's adherence to his promises. He noticed that the Prison King was fixated on the Heavenly Maiden's Flower in Yang Shuang'er’s hand, eager to take action. Knowing that if things escalated into a conflict, despite their numerical advantage, victory was not guaranteed. He then spoke up: "The Mechanism King is true to his word, which I greatly admire. Miss Yang, there is no need to make things too difficult for them; just ask them to let go of Old Wu, and let this wager be considered settled."

Yang Shuang'er gently chuckled: "Isn't this thing called the scattering of heavenly maidens' flowers?"

Xu Moyang observed that this object was elongated, yet it subtly resembled a human form, almost like a fully grown ginseng. Its surface was smooth, devoid of branches, roots, or leaves, and it bore natural patterns resembling rings, akin to wood but not quite wood. Although he had encountered many peculiar and extraordinary items from various places in the Winter Return Palace, he had never seen anything similar to this object.

Yang Shuang'er let out a mournful cry, raising her needle to stab at the zhongfu acupoint on Du Lai Wuyang's chest, but was seized by Du Si, his expression dark: "The general's poison truly lives up to its reputation"

Everyone can see that the previous statement clearly indicates surrender, yet the following statement begins to play tricks, leaving one utterly speechless. This old man, with a head full of gray hair and a long beard, appears aged yet seems remarkably innocent, truly a marvel of the martial arts world

Yang Shuang'er recalled the fun of playing hide and seek with her childhood friends among the stones in the woods, finding it quite amusing. However, Du Si had different thoughts. This mountain range, originally an unremarkable small range in the northern frontier, possessed many peculiarities. Considering that the adept in the art of destiny insisted on staying here and had even instructed Xu Moyang to visit the Xiaowang Villa in his will, while also involving Yang Shuang'er from Wushuang City, it surely carried profound implications. The heart of the matter had always been proud of its own mechanical studies, but today it faced setbacks from the King of Mechanisms, leading to feelings of indignation. Coming to this naturally formed stone array, it became even more absorbed in research, as if its mind had been seized.

The scholar looks up to the sky and laughs heartily, gazing fixedly as things are determined by the heart: "Elder, do not blame me for my misstep, for the poison will naturally be unharmed... only death!"

Hahaha, what use is the successor of the military armor? Let me try the poison technique of the general! A clear voice came from above the heads of the crowd

Xu Moyang is also innocent and carefree, filled with joy from the heart. He bows respectfully, and with a heart's eye, looks at Xu Moyang, slightly surprised: "Young Brother Xu must have had some extraordinary experiences recently, as if there is an indescribable potential within him."

Yang Shuang'er laughed: "So I should be able to command you to do something now, right?"

Yang Shuang'er, with a youthful heart, loved lively occasions. While playing with the flower-like fireworks, she gently said: "Such a beautiful firework, returning it to you would be of no use anyway. Why not let me set it off into the sky instead?"

The official hesitated for a moment and finally nodded: "Ahem, I should recognize it!"

Du Sishen bowed deeply and said: "I will follow your instructions!" Seeing that this long-desired treasure, which was hard to come by in a thousand years, was right in his hands, he felt that as long as the object was willing to give it to him, he could agree to any conditions.

Upon careful reflection, I couldn't help but laugh heartily, saying: "Indeed, indeed, I also found it strange at the time, how could there be such a peculiar snake? The snake had a large lump on its forehead, looking as if it had three eyes. It was fully over 2 zhang long, quite terrifying..."

Du Si understood that Wu Youxin, though seemingly mad, possessed astonishing martial skills. With such a strong ally, how could he not be delighted? He extended his hand and shook hands with Wu Youxin, both of them laughing heartily, filled with a sense of camaraderie.

The poison remains harmless, yet it still presents a leisurely demeanor: "The general's poison is nothing more than a small token of appreciation from friends in the martial world, how could it possibly catch the eye of the great hero Du? However, today I truly wish to meet the unparalleled needle that shares my name!"

Yang Shuang'er clapped her hands and laughed, "This name is lovely, it truly surprises one to find out it is actually the tongue of a large python"

The arrival of the person was extremely swift, coupled with the downward momentum from the peak, almost as if the person arrived with the sound, facing the howling wind, resembling a celestial being

Du Si's expression was grave as he raised the Xuan Blade to his chest, silently reciting the incantation. His fame was built on his mastery of poison techniques and hidden weapons, which were ever-changing and unpredictable. Although Du Si was familiar with various types of weapons, he might not fully understand the characteristics of every hidden weapon. In this battle, he had already fallen behind in terms of momentum.

Wù yóu xīn bù hǎo yì si de xiào dào: "Wǒ suī rán wú shāng, dàn niàn zài bǐ nǐ dà le jǐ shí suì, duō ràng diǎn lǎo rén jiā yě shì yīng gāi de ba"

A person slowly emerged from behind, with a humble expression: "Senior, you have misunderstood. My original intention was to catch a small sparrow, but unfortunately, my skills are lacking, and I missed my target. I am truly ashamed!"

With a single leap, the object rushed into the grave, and after a short while, it emerged holding a large pile of items: "At last, this master of mechanisms still has some skill, as my treasures remain unharmed."

Five years ago, I encountered a golden python at the foot of Tianshan Mountain. It took me a great deal of effort to finally kill it, and this is its tongue

Du Si felt a chill in his heart, rendered speechless. Both emotions and reason were ultimately matters of the heart. The last time he passed through the Nether Valley, he had not yet met Wu Youxin. Although this was their first encounter, he appreciated the old man's unpretentious and candid nature. Even if the other party was not General Ming's person, he still leaned significantly towards Wu Youxin in his heart. At this moment, his thoughts raced, calculating that he might have no choice but to indulge Wu Youxin's stubbornness.

The four individuals, each harboring their own concerns, weaved through the stones for two hours before finally emerging from what appeared to be a chaotic yet perilous stone formation. Although the surroundings seemed ordinary, each person remained on high alert, deeply fearful that the enemy might suddenly launch an attack from this advantageous terrain. Upon exiting the stone formation, a faint fragrance reminiscent of flowers and grass wafted in, signaling that the Crossing Tribulation Valley was now in sight. They could not help but secretly let out a sigh of relief.

Du Si and Yang Shuang'er recognized that behind that person were two others, namely Ji Quanshan and Qi Zhuicheng, who had returned in defeat from the hotel. Seeing that these individuals seemed to be led by the scholarly-looking man, they were uncertain of their origins

Du Si obtained a rare treasure, and his spirits were greatly lifted. Along the way, he engaged in conversation and laughter with several people. His knowledge was extensive, and his insights profound. The group heard many extraordinary tales and benefited greatly from the experience

The silent prison king, Heishan, finally spoke: "How can one determine the truth from mere words? I fear that the elder will have to accompany me back to the capital's interrogation room, where we can use some tools to discern the authenticity of the matter." His voice was laced with a foreign accent, abrupt and stilted, and even without considering the content, it was already quite uncomfortable to hear

Poison comes without warning, and the name of the hidden weapon is renowned in the martial world; achieving fame is merely a stroke of luck. With intention or without, it is within the heart that one can be caught off guard, and thus, one can fall victim to a scheme in a single move.

The official finally could not help but change his expression dramatically, looking at Yang Shuang'er, truly fearing that she would act according to what was said by the object of her heart.

Things arise from the heart, laughing heartily: "What misfortune do I have?"

What do you want to ask me?

With a long sigh, he lamented: "Enough, enough, enough. Either it is a disgrace to the dignity of the master’s gate, or it is a breach of the secrets of the master’s gate. You, the King of Mechanisms, should not make it difficult for me. After all, I have lived a long life, and if I die today, at least it can be considered a resolution!" As he spoke, his long hair flew up and hung on a tree. That long hair twisted in the air like a living thing, while he leaped up, stretching his neck straight to dive into the loop.

It was unexpected that he was in such a hurry to leave just to see the tree that kills people. With the extraordinary martial arts that come from the heart, his confidence increased even more on this journey. Moreover, with the company of this humorous old man along the way, he was not worried about loneliness. Everyone laughed and agreed.

The several secret techniques of the Hero's Tomb are indeed the study of mechanisms, the art of discerning heroes and debating their merits, the technique of chaotic rain and turbulent clouds, and the skill of wielding the power of thunder.

Du Si continued: "This midge is extremely intelligent, and it is said to have been nurtured by the ancient water god Gonggong. It requires a daily diet of one hundred jin of meat. When encountering humans or livestock, it first wraps around the waist several times before swallowing them whole. According to our 'Records of Divine Beasts and Odd Artifacts', the most formidable weapon of the midge is its tongue, which is cold in nature, flexible like a ribbon, and stronger than steel, unbreakable even after a hundred bends. It ranks seventh in the record of divine artifacts and is regarded as a divine object for forging weapons, referred to as 'Tongue Blossoming Like a Lotus'."

The official Wang was neither hurried nor slow: "The old man is joking; we do not want your head, we only wish to have Black Brother ask a few questions. Although it is a gamble for your head, in reality, it is merely to make the old man endure a little discomfort for a while."

Du Sida called out, a glimmer of light surged in his eyes as he gently stroked the python's tongue, murmuring: "The tongue is as brilliant as a lotus flower! At last, the prospects for the revival of our Bingjia Sect are hopeful!"

Even with Du Si's martial arts, he could withstand the poison of Lai Wuyang, but he truly feared the poison that came and went without a trace. Moreover, Xu and Yang were certainly unable to withstand the combined forces of Ji Quanshan, Qi Zhuicheng, and Qian Nan. It seemed that the enemy already had victory in hand

The official could only continue nodding: "Yes!"

Everyone was astonished to see that the tombstone weighed several hundred jin, yet it was effortlessly lifted and moved inside as if it were light as a feather, leading them to think that although the old man seemed mad, his skills were certainly not to be underestimated. Furthermore, considering the calm determination of the Mechanism King and the Prison King, along with the pursuing soldiers behind them, they were unaware of the numerous risks they had encountered along the way

The poison has been stealthily administered without harm, and seeing that the opponent, the most formidable one, is solely focused on closing their eyes and channeling their energy, they are now powerless to act and have no further reservations

Things are governed by the heart, yet I shake my head: "No, no, this is my treasure. I can give it to you, but you must promise me two things."

The official Wang once again bowed to Yang Shuang'er and said: "This firework is of great importance. Since I have already promised you one thing, may I ask if you could return the firework to me?"

Upon witnessing the situation today, Du Si realized that it could not end well. He secretly instructed Xu Moyang to keep an eye on Wu Youxin and Yang Shuang'er, allowing them to retreat first while he brandished the seemingly rusty small knife in his hand to block the advance of the three from Qian Nan.

Du Lai Wuyang and others have already discovered Xu Moyang and others in that stone formation. Because they are unsure about the details of the stone formation, they dare not act rashly. They only follow Xu Moyang and the other four from a distance, and only make a move after they have left the stone formation.

Yang Shuang'er disguised herself as a man, yet not a single person failed to recognize her feminine form at a glance, causing many to pout in discontent. However, upon seeing that her heart was already immersed in the "wig," a pair of eyes filled with tears looked at her pitifully, hoping she possessed some miraculous means to turn the situation around, which inevitably led to a burst of laughter.

He speaks humbly, wears a smile on his face, and his words are appropriate. Coupled with his scholarly appearance, dressed in a long gown fluttering in the wind, he evokes a sense of goodwill upon first sight. Behind him stand three fierce-looking individuals, which further accentuates his courteous demeanor

The man on the right appeared to be in his thirties, with a pale complexion and an elegant demeanor. Although he also bore an air of arrogance, he first bowed sincerely to the elderly gentleman, saying, "The design of these mechanisms by the elder is truly remarkable and has opened my eyes."

Yang Shuang'er smiled mischievously and looked at the Mechanism King: "What do you think?"

Yang Shuang'er is calm and composed, her pride evident in her words, and she is even more charming and lovely: "You wouldn't tell me you don't recognize what this is, would you!"

The scholar's body seemed to move slightly in response to the laughter that resonated from the heart, yet he was clearly standing still in place. It was unclear how he conveyed a sense of movement, as if something had momentarily obstructed the gaze of those present, creating such an illusion.

Things arise from the heart, haha, laughing loudly: "You unscrupulous rat, how dare you launch a sneak attack on me? Come out and let me see you."

At that moment, a subtle and imperceptible sharp wind swept in from behind, rushing towards the back of the heart's garment

The official Wang smiled gently as he looked at Yang Shuang'er: "Although I serve the royal family, I understand that in the jianghu, one must honor their words and fulfill their promises. I wonder what advice this young lady has to offer?"

Meanwhile, Wu Youxin let out a loud shout, and his head full of white hair suddenly flew up, intertwining with the sharp wind, which surprisingly contained the sound of metal clashing. A small money dart was brushed off the ground by Wu Youxin.

Du Si possesses extensive knowledge and, although he did not detect any abnormalities, he still faintly sensed a looming crisis

The King of the Agency and the King of the Prison exchanged glances: "This, may I take a closer look?"

The study of mechanisms in the Hero's Tomb pertains to the formation of traps, while the art of discerning heroes and identifying their skills is a technique related to the five elements and feng shui for assessing one's fate within the Hero's Tomb. The techniques of the Wild Rain and Chaotic Clouds Hand and the Qi Penetrating Thunder Skill are the family martial arts of the Hero's Tomb, with the former being a subtle close-combat skill for capturing opponents, and the latter being a form of domineering internal power

Ji Quanshan and Qi Zhuicheng had suffered under his hand. Seeing him standing like a pavilion in the abyss, with light and unburdened steps, firmly positioned in the middle of the path, his face displaying resilience, they did not dare to press too hard.

And this entity, Wuyouxin, is indeed a disciple of the Hero's Tomb. It was precisely because, many years ago, his childlike nature inadvertently revealed the martial arts of this sect that he was expelled from the sect and punished to reflect on his actions in the remote and sparsely populated Ge Yun Mountain Range. However, Wuyouxin, in remembrance of his former master, constructed a grave and erected a monument here in the style of the Hero's Tomb.

Indeed, it was just as such. Moments ago, Wu Youxin was discovered by Du Si and others to possess martial arts skills, which made him anxious to the point of even contemplating murder to silence them. However, being inherently kind-hearted and possessing a pure, innocent nature, he would never truly resort to such ruthless measures. At this moment, upon hearing the Mechanism King reveal the secrets of his sect, he could not help but feel a great turmoil within his heart