Chapter 5, The Yellow Sparrow

Zhou Fei had nothing to say to the notorious demon, merely nodded, and then quickly left with Xie Yun.

After an unknown amount of time, Zhao Mingchen finally said in disbelief: "Third Brother, you..."

Chutian's pupils constricted

With Li Sheng's sudden intervention, Ding Kui was left in a very difficult position. His subordinates were all entangled, leaving him as the only one standing alone. Faced with the two former leaders of the assassins, his situation was both awkward and desperate. In a moment of urgency, Ding Kui resorted to a cunning trick; he suddenly blew a long whistle: "Xuanwu Guard—"

Mr. Bai advised in a low voice, "Please, everyone, remain calm..."

The guards did not dare to speak, and only Mr. Bai quietly offered a few words of advice, saying things like, "A gentleman does not stand under a dangerous wall; Your Highness, this time is also a lesson." However, a stubborn boy of fifteen or sixteen years old would not heed such counsel. The more others advised him, the angrier he became, and he immediately declared fiercely, "If I find out who is behind this, I will definitely..."

"Ming Chen, be cautious with your words." Xie Yun suddenly interrupted this phrase "a thousand cuts and ten thousand slices." After a pause, Xie Yun continued with an expressionless face: "Chu Tianquan is a close attendant in the palace of Cao Zhongkun, and his status is different from that of other Beidou members. He is a trusted confidant of Cao Zhongkun. Why would he go to such lengths to risk everything and come to Yongzhou, going through so much trouble to seize Huo Liantao's Shen Du seal?"

Ding Kui's relentless advance was unexpectedly hindered by the two younger individuals, Li Sheng and Yang Jin. Although it was their first time working together, they surprisingly displayed a considerable degree of tacit understanding—at least it was better than the two who were tripping each other up.

He first casually shifted the topic, then turned to Yuan Laosan and said: "Mr. Yuan is also one of the renowned experts, why must he, like some others, resort to unscrupulous means to seize what belongs to others?"

Zhao Mingchen, though still young, was not intimidated by the grand scene. He walked into the pavilion filled with corpses as if no one were around, raised his hands, and bowed deeply to the crowd, saying: "Ladies and gentlemen, with the death of Lord Huo, we are still barely surviving. If we allow this eunuch and northern dog to walk out of here today, how shall we face the future? Are personal grudges and grievances to be settled in this moment?"

The newcomers did not give him a chance to introduce himself; they immediately attacked without saying a word, issuing commands solely through whistles. The sharp whistle sounds echoed everywhere, and attackers surged forward like a wheel, while archers lay in ambush in the distance, clearly intent on wiping out everyone present. Zhou Fei slashed through an arrow aimed at Zhao Mingchen, glanced at the seemingly traumatized youth, and asked, "You don't know any martial arts at all?"

The two quickly caught up with Zhao Mingchen and the others

The Monkey Five Lady was clearly caught off guard and received a blow, causing her chest to cave in, with bones piercing through her back. Before she could lie down, she died instantly. Monkey Old Three had one arm completely severed, blood gushing out like a spilled bucket, and in his shock, he momentarily forgot to seal his own acupoints

Mr. Bai shouted loudly and swung his sword towards Mu Xiao Qiao, who, instead of dodging, seemed intent on perishing together with him, reaching out with a palm towards his chest. Mr. Bai felt a surge of panic; had he not retreated quickly, this madman would have surely ripped his heart out. Even so, the fabric of his chest was already torn into tatters, and he staggered back five or six steps before his back collided with a nearby wooden pillar, his face turning ashen, clearly suffering from serious injuries

Xie Yun glanced at Ying Hecong with a sidelong look, slowly speaking while clasping his hands behind his back: "In the blink of an eye, Chu Tianquan has killed the two formidable foes, the monkey and the double evildoers. What do you plan to rely on to contend with this person?"

Xie Yun turned his head to look at her, his throat slightly moving, wanting to say a simple "thank you," but feeling that those two words would sound too superficial if spoken aloud. Thus, he could only let them remain unchanged in his heart, where they froze into a meticulously carved ice flower in the piercing cold, elevated high as an offering.

A few steps away, Mu Xiao Qiao clutched her chest, her expression ambiguous as she gazed at Xie Yun

One could only see the "Xuanwu Guard" slowly grasping his own hair, pulling it back, and unexpectedly tearing off his scalp along with his facial skin, revealing the face of a stranger—this man appeared to be around fifty years old, bald on top, with a pale face and no beard. Below his cheeks, two lumps of flesh hung down, accentuating deep, knife-like lines of age on his face, which surprisingly resembled that of a sinister old woman.

Lady Nizhang said: "I only mentioned that it is not as priceless as you think, but I did not say it is unimportant. It is akin to someone like you, a worthless being in this world, who may indeed hold great value in the eyes of your mother."

Many seasoned individuals in the martial world cannot distinguish between "consort" and "empress," let alone know how many offspring the emperor has. Upon hearing that this is the eldest child of the royal family, they are immediately in an uproar—doesn't that mean he is the next emperor? With this thought, the young man seems to be enveloped in a layer of golden aura.

At his command, the skilled guards behind him immediately sprang into action. The masters from the inner palace, each possessing exceptional lightness of foot, skimmed across the water's surface and charged towards Beidou. This group of inner palace experts, as disciplined as a sharp sword, acted like a flag of command; as soon as they made their move, others quickly followed suit. Those who had been displaced by the North-South War, who held a grudge against Beidou, and those incited by fervor all shouted "Capture the Northern Dog," rushing forward and swiftly surrounding Chu Tianquan and his group from Beidou.

Li Sheng was suddenly startled, instinctively bending backward to avoid something that was coming at him head-on—surprisingly, it was an arm!

Xie Yun, however, showed little expression, calmly lowering his head to adjust his robe sleeves, and said: "The actual master’s literary and martial skills are quite mediocre, while the servants have secretly learned a great deal. Back in the day, Chu Tianquan relied on his youth to learn in the palace and combined it with his diligent practice to rank among the Big Dipper. After his brother died at the hands of 'Kurogane', he became increasingly sinister and practiced fiercely. Now, more than twenty years have passed... If it weren't for his long stay in the palace, the title of 'First of the Big Dipper' might not have gone to Shen Tianshu." Back in the day, Chu Tianquan relied on his youth to learn in the palace and combined it with his diligent practice to rank among the Big Dipper. After his brother died at the hands of 'Kurogane', he became increasingly sinister and practiced fiercely. Now, more than twenty years have passed... If it weren't for his long stay in the palace, the title of 'First of the Big Dipper' might not have gone to Shen Tianshu.

Xie Yun ignored him and continued, "Moreover, why did Cao Ning suddenly mobilize troops in Shu last year? Did you not notice any signs? Cao Zhongkun is likely nearing his end, which is why he allows his sons to vie for power and even sends his most trusted subordinates to pursue the elusive legend of 'the sea and sky as one,' hoping to secure a long life for himself. In recent days, Mr. Zhou has been stationed at the front lines, yet there has been little direct confrontation between the two sides; the situation remains one of much noise but little action. Why is that? Because, strictly speaking, Shu is the territory of the Northern Dynasty, and General Wen's mobilization ultimately lacks justification. Currently, Cao Ning is stalling with his large army, maintaining a standstill while consolidating his own power within the military. He neither withdraws his troops nor sends them into battle. His inaction prevents Mr. Zhou and General Wen from taking any action as well. Do you know why this is?"

Do not mention 'you, me, him' anymore, Xie Yunqiang suppressed his desire to curl up and seek warmth, grabbed Zhao Mingchen by the shoulder, and pushed him into Mr. Bai's arms, briefly saying, 'Let's go'

At this critical moment, countless black-clad figures from the Beidou organization encircled from the outskirts of the village.

Ding Kuifa's face, resembling a wrinkled yam, was filled with a sinister aura. Suddenly, he let out a long whistle, and in the distance, a corresponding whistle echoed back. Following this, at least a hundred members of the Xuanwu Sect, wearing poisoned gloves, rushed in from the stone forest formation that Mu Xiao Qiao had forcibly broken through. At the same time, a "plop" sound arose from the lake behind them, as the large coffin collapsed into a pile of neatly arranged wooden planks, with those carrying the coffin stepping onto the planks to wade through the water. Meanwhile, Lady Ni Chang and the Monkey Duo also chased after them. In the water pavilion, Mu Xiao Qiao, for reasons unknown, engaged in a confrontation with Mr. Bai, Huo Liantao, and others, managing to hold his own against the odds. The scene became chaotic to an extreme degree. Zhou Fei drew out Wangchun Mountain but did not dare to leave her position—Li Sheng and Yang Jin had both stepped forward to show off their heroism, while Wu Chuchu and Li Yan could not be left unattended, a tacit understanding formed from their journey together. For instance, during that incident at the inn, when Zhou Fei and Li Sheng had clashed, no matter how combative Yang Jin was, he merely stayed firmly in his seat.

At this moment, as if specifically to validate Xie Yun's words, Zhao Mingchen and the others had just retreated to the back mountain when the urgent whistle sounded closely behind them. A group of people suddenly appeared in front of them. Upon closer inspection, although this group was masked with black veils and dressed like people from the rivers and lakes, their movements were orderly and disciplined, clearly exhibiting a military demeanor.

As soon as she uttered the word "pah", dozens of arrows rained down from the water, while the two individuals bound by an iron chain simultaneously made their move

Li Sheng set up a large formation by himself, successfully intercepting the members of the Xuanwu Sect outside. However, now, seeing figures like Huo Liantao and the Twin Monkeys, he suddenly found himself at a loss as to why he was so busy. The youthful enthusiasm that had just flared up in him instantly cooled down.

Many people were busy peering into the pavilion, hoping that the host, Huo Liantao, would step forward and say something sensible. It was better not to look, but once they did, they realized it was completely over—over here, the Big Dipper was already emerging, and it was almost flooding the Golden Mountain, yet over there, they were still reluctant to part.

Unable to speak, his teeth chattered with a "clack" sound, as if having worn the skin of indifference to the world for too long, he seemed no longer capable of expressing hatred and anger. All of these emotions lingered in his chest, howling and wailing, ready to explode at any moment

Mr. Bai was slippery and did not take Miss Ni's invitation at all, merely responding politely: "Madam, you are too kind. My master is still quite young, merely a junior who has come out with Lord Huo to broaden his horizons, and there is not much to see."

Ding Kui has been famous for many years; how could such trivial skills possibly hinder him? He skillfully leveraged the situation, gliding past the edge of the net, and landed directly on the shore where Zhou Fei and the others were, nonchalantly rushing towards the crowd

Chu Tianquan wiped the blood on his hands completely onto the silk, smiling as he said, "Since Lord Huo has voluntarily given up the Shen Du seal and presented it to us, we shall not be rude in accepting it."

But... who is the master that was able to repel the Zhuque Lord with this move

Wenqu Chutianquan, born of a eunuch, was looked down upon by the others in the Big Dipper. Twenty years ago, his martial arts skills ranked among the lowest of the seven in the Big Dipper, and it was said that he rose to power by betraying the late emperor and flattering Cao Zhongkun. However, I do not share this view. The others in the Big Dipper had already made a name for themselves in the martial world before aligning with the Cao family, while Chutianquan, it is said, came from a humble background, having lost both parents and struggling to survive with only a brother. It was only when he could no longer endure that he entered the palace as a eunuch. Due to his intelligence and cleverness, he served in the Eastern Palace, often accompanying the young Prince Yide as he studied and practiced martial arts.

Ding Kui seemed like a sharp blade piercing through tofu, charging straight into the crowd, and in the blink of an eye, he had already reached the Xingnan Escort Agency. Lin Bo and the others had not even had the chance to approach him before they were sent flying. Zhu Ying could only let out a light reprimand and threw out her Emei needles, bracing herself to confront him. Zhou Fei, acting as the vanguard of those meddling in affairs, stood up with her knife in hand. To her surprise, this time Xie Yun was in sync with her thoughts; both of them intended to stand up and move forward. The chain of the gate lock suddenly wrapped around the round table, being pulled in two directions, and with a "click," it got stuck on the table leg. Zhou Fei, acting as the vanguard of those meddling in affairs, stood up with her knife in hand. To her surprise, this time Xie Yun was in sync with her thoughts; both of them intended to stand up and move forward. The chain of the gate lock suddenly wrapped around the round table, being pulled in two directions, and with a "click," it got stuck on the table leg.

The chaotic crowd was in need of a leader, and upon hearing this, they all turned their gazes towards him. Li Sheng took a deep breath under the watchful eyes of the crowd, the formations taught to him by Chong Yunzi swirling in his mind. He pointed towards the riverbank and said to a few individuals from the Xingnan Escort Agency: "Lin Bo, please take some people to guard the pillar over there; Brother Yang, stand by at the Gen position three steps away; everyone else, follow me!"

Zhou Fei had encountered many such little brats who couldn't understand human language and were difficult to deal with, and Li Sheng was one of the most outstanding among them during his childhood. She didn't care about a few glares. Zhou Fei moved a few steps to the side, and the long chain of the heavenly gate suddenly pulled towards Zhao Mingchen, dragging him a few steps to the side. She said: "Are you still standing there foolishly? Are you looking for death?"

Mu Xiao Qiao coldly laughed and said: "In the business I have conducted in my lifetime, there is no such thing as face. Let alone that old thing's bones have turned cold, even if he were standing right here, if I wanted to kill you, would he have any say in it"

Meanwhile, a sharp arrowhead emerged menacingly from the water, seemingly aimed at providing cover for Mu Xiaoqiao against Zhao Mingchen. However, with Mr. Bai's protective pull, Zhao Mingchen positioned himself perfectly between the arrowhead and Mu Xiaoqiao

Having remained a mere spectator until now, Ying He suddenly moved at this moment. However, as soon as he took a step, the望春山 in Zhou Fei's hand seemed to have developed eyes, blocking the path of the poisonous man and obstructing his way forward

Xie Yun said softly: "Lord Zhuque, I beg your pardon"

At that moment, a deafening explosion resounded, shaking the entire ground several times. Stones and dust from the small mountain fell in a flurry, and many injured guards nearly lost their footing. Thick smoke rose from the manor, and in an instant, flames soared into the sky. They had actually buried gunpowder and oil in advance!

Zhao Mingchen asked in a very aggressive tone: "Who on earth has the audacity to do this? Are they planning to eliminate even this king?"

At that moment, a sudden whistle sounded from afar. Zhao Mingchen quickly turned around and saw that the mountain behind the village was unexpectedly filled with people. As the signal flag waved, they surged down in a swarm. At the same time, there were also many individuals in the water, who had been lying in ambush for an unknown duration, emerging with a splash and shouting, "Capture the northern dogs!"

As his voice faded, he had already leaped out, stepping over a pile of shoulders, barely blocking under Ding Kui's palm. In this exchange, he realized that his skills were lacking, as Li Sheng felt as if his short sword had struck against a hard rock, nearly causing him to lose grip and send it flying. He quickly withdrew his strength and spun around, using his shoulder to shove Zhu Ying aside, shouting at her: "Why aren't you leaving yet!"

Ding Kui dared to boldly seek trouble with Huo Liantao for two reasons. On one hand, he had heard of the existence of "Haitian Yise" and became greedy. On the other hand, he also learned that Huo Liantao had been actively recruiting people after arriving in the south, clearly intending to become the leader of the martial arts world. A leader of the martial arts world cannot merely call everyone to a meeting; he must also take concrete actions to gain the people's support. First, he must identify some "public enemies of the martial arts world" to establish his authority. Ding Kui was very self-aware and felt that the title of "public enemy of the martial arts world" was rightfully his, thus he was eager to take the initiative.

Mr. Bai was greatly astonished: "Your Highness!"

Lady Nizhang was unaware of the undercurrents behind the scenes, and with a mocking smile, she said to Old Three the Monkey, "You truly are a scavenger."

Upon meeting, Mu Xiao Qiao immediately realized that he was no match for Xie Yun, not to mention that there was also an unsheathed Wangchun Mountain nearby. Although he was mad and had a penchant for mutual destruction, he did not particularly enjoy humiliating himself. Seeing that the situation had turned against him, he refrained from making any further moves. Xie Yun had no intention of making things difficult for him; he politely nodded at him and then pulled Zhou Fei away by yanking the heavenly gate lock.

Since Zhou Fei headed south for several months, she has been imitating Yang Jin, attempting to return her ever-changing swordsmanship to its essence, repeatedly honing the fundamental skills she had neglected for years. The monotonous daily practice has been extremely tedious, yet it has allowed her Breaking Snow Blade to surpass her previous limits in speed

Zhao Mingchen furrowed his brow upon hearing his unrelated remark: "Third brother, what you are saying..."

Li Sheng's pupils constricted slightly—just moments ago, the Xuanwu Guard, who seemed to be on par with him, stood upright in place, suddenly chuckling softly. In an instant, one of his monkey-like subordinates was dead while the other was injured.

Xie Yun let out a low sigh: "It is actually the Beidou Wenqu."

The Monkey Five Lady exclaimed sharply: "Wretched person, the seal of discretion is currently in our hands, what are you so proud of?"

Zhou Fei was taken aback for a moment and asked Xie Yun: "The Great Medicine Valley? Did you know him before?"

He had saved the people of the Xingnan Escort Agency twice, so Lin Bo and the others naturally had no objections and immediately acted as instructed. However, the others were unaware of the situation at hand. In a moment of urgency, lacking their own ideas, they saw someone following orders and immediately began to follow suit. After Li Cheng's words, it wasn't long before approximately thirty to forty percent of the people were running along with him

Although Mr. Bai remained composed, he still cast a subtle glance at Huo Liantao—Huo Liantao's act of throwing down the Shen Du Fang seal was indeed an act of self-will

The true yellow sparrow today is Zhao Mingchen's biological father, the current emperor

In this instance, he expended considerable effort and devised numerous schemes, not only crafting a wedding dress for others but also nearly involving himself in the process. A great fire of resentment burned within him, leaving him with little time to ponder what exactly had caused the renowned good-for-nothing, Xie Yun, to be so thoroughly "possessed".

Ying Hecong let out a low shout, his palms overlapping, determined to push aside Wang Chunshan. However, before his palms could touch the scabbard, Wang Chunshan suddenly flicked upward, slicing his fingers. Immediately, the long knife was drawn from its sheath, the chilling blade light rushing towards him. The scabbard struck heavily against his palm, and unable to withstand its sharpness, Ying Hecong was forced to retreat, only to feel a chill at the back of his neck—the knife was already pressed against his throat.

Mu Xiao Qiao was stunned, Mr. Bai was stunned, and everyone in the villa was stunned

Mu Xiao Qiao would not listen to his defense—wasn't it Mr. Bai and the others who were lying in ambush underwater, and wasn't the arrow that killed Huo Lian Tao shot from the water? Furthermore, although Zhao Ming Chen is indeed young, the Southern Dynasty he represents is not without its history; while a child may be innocent, can the throne be considered innocent? Mu Xiao Qiao seized Mr. Xuan's wrist, and as Mr. Xuan instinctively pushed against Mu Xiao Qiao, he was met with a powerful and cold surge of true energy that rebounded, causing him to let out a muffled groan and nearly kneel down.

At this moment, upon hearing the implications in Mr. Bai's words, Ding Kui began to grasp the situation. He thought to himself: Damn it, I've fallen for that grandson Huo Liantao's scheme. This old fellow not only found a solid backing but also colluded with that traitor Feng Feihua, trying to set a trap for me to fall into, using me to make a name for himself. Bah, what a delusional dream! I refuse to bear the blame for nothing!

At that moment, someone shouted: "Stop!"

He strained to step forward, desperately dragging Zhao Mingchen behind him.

Young Master Xie chose the courtesy name "Meimei" for himself and even composed a short tune titled "The Sound of Cold Crows". This indicates a profound connection with crows, as his manner of speaking bears a striking resemblance to that of the unfortunate black bird. Before Zhou Fei could ask any questions, a group of individuals in black rushed out from the dense forest, among whom was surprisingly the old eunuch Chu Tianquan.

Subsequently, he and Monkey Wuniang separated to the left and right sides, each grabbing one of the arms of the Xuanwu Guard, seemingly about to tear the person apart. Li Cheng had just been engaged in a fierce battle with the Xuanwu Guard, and at this moment, he could hardly contain his desire to step forward and assist the Xuanwu Guard in breaking free from those two large monkeys

The corners of Mu Xiao Qiao's mouth were stained with a mixture of rouge and blood, smudging his entire pointed chin. He had a wound that slashed diagonally from his shoulder to his waist, and without even glancing at Mr. Bai, he walked straight up to the severely injured Huo Lian Tao. Grabbing him by the collar, he lifted the dying Huo Lian Tao like a dead dog and ominously said, "I will ask you one more time, who gave you the sorrow?"

Mu Xiao Qiao would not give Zhao Ming Chen any time to be distracted. He shook off Mr. Xuan and lunged towards the back of Zhao Ming Chen's head.

Ding Kui was also astonished

As she turned her minor troubles over and over in her mind, the atmosphere in front of the Stone Forest formation grew increasingly tense

"What he is has nothing to do with me," Zhou Fei said, "You are willing to save him, and I am merely willing to help you—why are you talking so much nonsense?"

With a single sound of "puff," Huo Liantao's entire body trembled as the iron arrow firmly lodged into the back of his head. He did not even have time to change his expression before he died on the spot.

Lady Nishang frowned

Meanwhile, a figure in a long robe stood in front of him, using one hand to block the deadly claw of Mu Xiao Qiao.

Although Zhao Mingchen has been wandering in the martial world all day, he is always protected wherever he goes. The little martial arts he has learned have no opportunity to be displayed, and over time, he has become no better than mere flashy techniques. How did he end up in this situation? He knows he should avoid it, but he is enveloped in a sharp killing intent, and for a moment, he feels somewhat paralyzed, unable to move. Cold sweat trickles down from his sharply cut temples.

At that moment, an unexpected change occurred

Beidou Wenqu - a legendary eunuch

Old Three the Monkey said slyly: "Since Lord Huo has broken this seal, it means he no longer wants it. Whoever picks it up should rightfully keep it. How can there be any talk of seizing it by force?"

Xie Yunben had already stood up, but upon hearing this voice, he sat back down. There, in front of the small building behind the water pavilion, a young man stepped forward, accompanied by a middle-aged man dressed in black, whose appearance closely resembled that of Mr. Bai. He must be the legendary "Mr. Xuan." Following the young man was a large group of well-trained experts, which made the young boy stand out with an extraordinary demeanor, distinctly different from others. He was none other than Zhao Mingchen.

Huo Liantao's sternum was shattered, and as he opened his mouth, a stream of blood foam surged forth. His eyes could barely focus, looking scatteredly at Mu Xiao Qiao, he spoke in a halting manner: "I... elder brother... if he were still alive, seeing you... like this... I... he, he, he... would definitely..."

His voice is calm and gentle, soothing to the ears; even if the surroundings are in chaos, one's heart inevitably quiets down with the sound of his words

Ding Kui harbored the thieving intention of "taking advantage of the situation to escape." He believed in acting rather than talking. Seizing the moment while Yuan Laosan was engaged in a heated debate with Mr. Bai and others, he suddenly launched an attack without warning. With his short stature, he seemed to shrink the distance and took a lightning-fast step forward. The water pavilion was immediately filled with the monkey's screams. It was astonishing to see Ding Kui, the formidable master of Xuanwu, unleash all his strength against a single monkey, instantly turning its brain into a mush. Afterward, he swiftly grabbed the Shen Du seal, laughed heartily, and turned to flee, saying, "You all continue your discussion; I have taken advantage of you!"

Ding Kuijian laughed in a sharp voice, "Where are you going?"

Yuan Laosan turned to her and said, "Sister Nichang, you need not hastily draw conclusions about the sea and sky just because your upper lip touches your lower lip. If this matter is truly as trivial as you claim, then why were you so eager to snatch it just now"

Zhou Fei said softly: "The words are not yet clear, you better not move, nor should your snake."

However, at this moment, Xie Yun was not as relaxed and carefree as he appeared. After all, the Vermilion Bird Master was a renowned expert, and even when injured, he should not be underestimated. Xie Yun had made two attempts, almost exerting all of his strength, and he felt as if a bone-chilling northwestern wind was sweeping through his meridians. Although he did not show any signs of pain, his complexion had turned a shade paler.

Xie Yun did not respond, letting his right hand, which was holding the lock of the Heavenly Gate, hang to one side, providing Zhou Fei with a space to move freely within an arm's length. He channeled his energy into his palm, and the cold aura of the Push Cloud Palm surged towards Mu Xiao Qiao. The bloodstains on Mu Xiao Qiao's hand immediately froze into a layer of fine ice shards. He was already injured, and in that moment, he could not help but take several steps back.

Having said this, some people have already reacted. Mr. Bai suddenly changed color, and the blood drained from Zhao Mingchen's face like a receding tide. He widened his eyes, appearing somewhat dazed and pitiable, his lips moved but no words came out.

Zhao Mingchen had never experienced such a choking sensation; at that moment, smoke seemed to rise from his seven orifices as he glared at Zhou Fei with wide eyes filled with anger

As soon as he finished speaking, a large net suddenly surged up from the lake, heading straight for Ding Kui

Wu Chuchu frowned again: "You just mentioned that there are two groups of people. If the one from the north counts as one group, then who could the other group be?"

What great matters and trivial matters; at this moment, the Southern and Northern Dynasties combined are nothing more than a fart in his eyes. Apart from the single matter of 'taking Huo Liantao's life', everything else is trivial, and he pays no attention to it at all

Zhou Fei was almost driven mad, angrily saying: "Why are you such a nuisance!"

The people who could originally sit quietly on both sides of the water pavilion could no longer endure it; they all stood up. Even Chu Tianquan seemed somewhat surprised. Soon after, Chu Tianquan smiled and said, "Interesting, truly impressive. Watching such a performance adds ten years to my life. Thank you, we shall take our leave now"

Although Zhou Fei was not joking around, he also knew that despite Xie Yun's usual carefree demeanor, he was absolutely reliable in critical moments. Therefore, without saying a word, he took out the nine keys he had on him.

The crowd around suddenly stepped back, and the "Xuanwu Guard" rubbed the bloodstains on his hands, took out the unguarded seal, and held it up to the light to examine it closely. Upon seeing the rippling water patterns embossed on it, he smiled and said: "Thank you, Lord Xuanwu, for this came without any effort."

Zhao Mingchen was surrounded by a group of guards who appeared to be on high alert, while Xie Yun kept a distance of several zhang from him, unwilling to walk side by side. He was lost in thought and quietly explained to Zhou Fei: "I rank third among our generation. When I was thirteen, my uncle brought me back to Jinling. After leaving the old capital, I have been in the sect, feeling out of place among the ornate structures within the palace walls. At that time, Mingchen was at a curious and clingy age; for some reason, he was particularly attached to me, calling me 'Third Brother.' He followed me everywhere during the day and refused to leave at night. I, a half-grown child, had to coax this little one who wouldn't leave. At first, I found him quite bothersome, but the palace was too lonely, and over time, I actually got used to it. Now that he has grown up, he has more thoughts and is somewhat... I see him in trouble, yet I still can't help but worry a bit more."

Mr. Bai shouted, "Stop him!"

Although this group of people had top-notch experts like Xie Yun as their guards, and both Zhou Fei and Bai Xuan, along with the bodyguards beside Zhao Mingchen, were all skilled in martial arts, they were ultimately outnumbered. Faced with thousands of troops, even the experts could only find a way to protect themselves. Therefore, they did not linger in battle and quickly surged out through the gap they had torn in the encirclement.

Huo Liantao, though perhaps not the most skilled in martial arts or the sharpest in intellect, has truly mastered the techniques of "cutting off one's wrist" and "diverting disaster eastward." This time, Zhao Mingchen, in an effort to rally the entire Southern Dynasty martial arts community, used Huo Liantao as bait. Upon realizing this, Huo Liantao naturally felt resentment. However, the invitation card bore ripples, which publicly announced the situation, making it impossible to retract. Thus, he staged this act of throwing down the seal, partly to extricate himself from Mu Qiao's grasp, and partly, perhaps, to annoy Mingchen.

Mr. Bai exclaimed, "You have such audacity, do you know..."

The long sword was drawn at his fingertips, and the blade's wind carried a faint, salty scent of cold iron soaked in fresh blood, swiftly splitting the iron arrow that had ambushed him from behind in mid-air

Zhou Fei's heart skipped a beat, and she thought to herself: Fortunately, I had Yang Jin and the others leave early; otherwise, wouldn't I be trapped here

Zhao Mingchen staggered a few steps to the side, and the iron chain that was fastened around his waist caused him to fall onto his backside. In that moment, he found himself teetering on the edge of life and death, forgetting his composure. He sat on the ground in a daze, staring at the person in front of him, murmuring: "Third... Third Brother?"

Several masters crowded together in this small pavilion, which was originally a balance that no one dared to disturb. However, before any discussion could take place, someone disregarded the rules and initiated a chaotic gathering.

Chutian Quan laughed and said: "You, the Lord of Huo Fortress, have not managed your affairs well. You are about to reveal someone else's secrets, only to be silenced by your own powerful backer. Now, the murderer has come forth to take charge, and there are still people who listen to him, haha!"

She had no choice but to take a step back herself, intending to accommodate Xie Yun and move to his side. Unexpectedly, Xie Yun also yielded to her, and the two of them retreated simultaneously, colliding with each other again.

He was just a half-grown child, and even with a large group of experts behind him, it was indeed difficult to command respect. However, at that moment, Mr. Bai propped himself up and stood up, greeting Ming Chen with the words: "Your Highness, King Kang"

Xie Yunchong cupped his hands and said: "I respectfully invite the Lord of the Vermilion Bird."

Zhou Fei was counting on her fingers and had already lost track of how many groups of people were involved at this moment. Upon hearing this, her head suddenly felt like it had multiplied into three. She couldn't help but reach into her pocket to touch the nine keys she had, thinking to herself: "Should I unlock the door first?"

Having said that, she picked up Wangchun Mountain and said to Xie Yun, "I will go with you to rescue your unfortunate relative"

Huo Liantao emitted a hissing sound from his throat.

Xie Yun nodded and said, "Not bad"

Those who were originally hesitant, upon witnessing the scene, also joined in one after another. As a result, the shore, which had been thrown into disarray by Ding Kui alone, was surprisingly organized by Li Sheng.

A man under the Xuanwu Gate, who was entangled in a struggle with Li Sheng and others, raised his head in response. Ding Kui shouted loudly, exerting his true energy, and received a palm strike from Hou Wuniang with his back, spitting out a mouthful of blood. At the same time, he threw the Shen Du Fang Yin to the Xuanwu Guard! The Xuanwu Guards were all loyal to Ding Kui, and he was not worried about them running away with the item—especially since, given the current situation, there was no way to escape.

A group of martial artists was filled with joy, believing that reinforcements had arrived, and they all echoed, "Take down the Northern dogs!"

"Our family surname is Chu, and my courtesy name is Tianquan," said the bald man impersonating the Xuanwu Guard, as he tucked the Shen Du seal into his bosom. He clasped his fists together and smiled, saying, "Heroes from the south, it has been a long time since we last met"

Mu Xiao Qiao suddenly raised her head, her cold gaze directed at Zhao Ming Chen. Xie Yun's hand trembled uncontrollably for a moment; had it not been for the Heavenly Gate Lock still secured in his hand, he would have likely rushed over immediately. Zhou Fei had always thought of the Heavenly Gate Lock as a divine object, until she realized, in her haste to unlock it, how difficult it was to distinguish the order among the nine keys that looked remarkably similar. In a moment of distraction, she mistakenly addressed the wrong person and hurriedly said, "Don't move!" Zhou Fei had always thought of the Heavenly Gate Lock as a divine object, until she realized, in her haste to unlock it, how difficult it was to distinguish the order among the nine keys that looked remarkably similar. In a moment of distraction, she mistakenly addressed the wrong person and hurriedly said, "Don't move!"

Both having a fleeting master-disciple bond with the Qi family, Zhou Fei learned how to engage in brawls, while Li Cheng seemed to have learned how to command others in such fights. Upon witnessing this, Xie Yun couldn't help but praise Zhou Fei, saying: "Your brother has the demeanor of a great general, but you, it seems, can only be a female bandit."

The arm of Old Three the Monkey

When Zhou Fei heard the words "Crown Prince Yide," she was suddenly taken aback

The expression of greed on Yuan Laosan's face was almost ferocious as he pushed Li Sheng aside and said, "Kid, don't get in the way!"

In any case, given Xie Yun's character, even if he had a compelling reason to take the opportunity to slip away, he should not abandon Wu Chuchu and Li Yan.

Zhou Fei was initially delighted to hear that the renowned Yaogugu still had living descendants, but then she recalled Ying He’s resolute words, "Time is running out," and was startled once again

Just now, taking advantage of the crowd and the fierce momentum to eliminate the evil and heretical forces, a group of people was stunned upon seeing him charge forward. Those in front retreated, while others shouted "revenge" and rushed forward, resulting in a collision between the two groups. Before Ding Kui could make a move, they had already descended into chaos, truly a rabble. However, to be fair, if there were truly capable individuals, aside from someone like Mu Xiao Qiao who had ulterior motives, who would remain to be manipulated by Huo Liantao?

"Young man, there are some tricks, but it seems you lack experience." The unfamiliar man smiled at Li Cheng, then waved his hand, and the members of the Xuanwu Sect behind him suddenly turned on each other. Some of them erupted in violence, stabbing their comrades with weapons. Before long, the unsuspecting members of the Xuanwu Sect were left in disarray, and then these individuals lined up neatly behind the 'Xuanwu Guard,' each tearing off the human skin masks from their faces.

No one knows who shouted: "The Lord of the Huo Fortress... the Lord of the Huo Fortress is dead!"

King Kang is the offspring of the noble consort, and the current crown prince...

A heavenly lock, a length of chain, on the left tethering an almost Zen-like tranquility, and on the right tethering a dazzling unpredictability.

Wu Chuchu pondered for a moment and said, "Why does that Lord Zhuque suspect that the death of Old Master Huo is related to Mr. Huo? There must be some involvement from the north. By the way... does what Young Master Xie just mentioned about 'the yellow bird behind' include them?"

In the waterside pavilion, Mu Xiaoqiao, this reckless person, paid no heed to whether the visitors were from the "Southern Dipper" or the "Northern Dipper," and relentlessly pressed forward against Huo Liantao. In a moment of desperation, Mr. Bai called out three times, "Lord Zhuque, please pause for a moment, the overall situation is of utmost importance," but Mu Xiaoqiao remained oblivious to his pleas

Zhao Mingchen suddenly waved his hand and pointed at Chu Tianquan, saying: "Why haven't you taken him down yet!"

In the small pavilion, there was a moment of complete silence, where even the sound of a falling needle could be discerned

At this encounter, both parties were taken aback, as they were unexpectedly forced together by the same passerby pressing down on their heads, vividly illustrating the saying "fate brings enemies together"

Saying this, he waved his hand and intended to swagger away with his own men in black.

Xie Yun did not give him a moment's respite, speaking each word deliberately: "The Northern Dipper, Chu Tianquan, actually dared to privately cross the border and conspire to harm the Crown Prince in Yongzhou—this is the reason for mobilizing the troops"

At that moment, Li Sheng suddenly withdrew from the battle circle while Ding Kui was entangled with Madam Nishang and the others. Frowning and concentrating for a moment, he spoke aloud: "We must not allow the people under Xuanwu Gate to regroup; they intend to encircle us!"

Zhou Fei crawled under the table to retrieve the key, lacking the mood to listen to him attack the people of the Central Plains again. With a glance, she saw that Mu Xiao Qiao in the waterside pavilion had already engaged in a fight with Xuan Bai and the two of them. She decisively said to Yang Jin: "Take the two of them away, meet outside the city!"

Yang Jin suddenly shouted: "Be careful!"

Her blade and the wind it generated alternated in intensity, rising and falling in a manner that made it nearly impossible for the human eye to discern. When the long sword reached a certain speed, it resembled the blizzards beyond the northern borders, obscuring all visibility while inexplicably enveloping one in a vast and brutal sense of oppression. The arrows surging from the water struck like rain on banana leaves, producing a crackling sound as they collided with the long sword, before falling one after another.

When she first met Mu Xiao Qiao, she was separated from him by a valley, witnessing him engage in combat with Shen Tian Shu and Tong Kai Yang, believing that this legendary Zhu Que Master had already entered the realm of "monsters and demons," no longer human. Now, she finally saw clearly this great demon of the Living and Dead Mountain, discovering that his figure was merely similar to Xie Yun's, just a slightly thin ordinary man. He leaned against a blood-splattered pillar in the water pavilion, his complexion pale, and his entire being was tainted with an indescribable weariness. Now, she finally saw clearly this great demon of the Living and Dead Mountain, discovering that his figure was merely similar to Xie Yun's, just a slightly thin ordinary man. He leaned against a blood-splattered pillar in the water pavilion, his complexion pale, and his entire being was tainted with an indescribable weariness

Xie Yun remained remarkably calm. After a moment of thought, he placed a hand on Zhou Fei's shoulder and said, "There is no rush; this is just the beginning. At least two more groups have yet to make their move. Wait for the 'yellow bird behind.' You need not hasten to draw your sword just yet"

Xie Yun said expressionlessly: "I have a foreboding feeling."

What on earth are these people? he thought with a hint of confusion, Why should I get involved with them

Because the Northern Dynasty is currently facing a situation where on one side, Cao Ning is consolidating his military power, and on the other side, the Crown Prince is frequently seeking peace with our dynasty, if anything were to happen to Cao Zhongkun, the Northern Dynasty would be thrown into turmoil. For their Crown Prince, mobilizing troops would be a great misfortune, presenting us with a prime opportunity. However, our dynasty's new policies have faced numerous obstacles, and the Emperor, along with Mr. Zhou, has uprooted countless entrenched old powers. Yet, they remain like a centipede, alive but not truly living. At present, the Emperor appears to be resolute, but if he truly wishes to take action, it can be said to be extremely difficult. Those individuals, in order to cut military expenses, will undoubtedly obstruct this war in every possible way, hindering progress at every turn. If this stalemate continues, our dynasty is likely to miss the opportunity for a northern expedition. "Xie Yun's expression was no longer as gentle as before. After saying this in one breath, he fixed a piercing gaze on Zhao Mingchen and said, 'Unless we provide the Emperor with an unavoidable reason to mobilize troops, do you understand now?'

Only Zhao Mingchen stood dazed in the waterside pavilion, a chill creeping up his spine—this was not his person

Zhou Fei was forced to overhear the trivial and distressing matters of the Zhao family, so she had no choice but to keep her mouth tightly shut, pretending she did not exist. At the same time, a sense of indescribable sorrow surged in her chest, and she thought to herself: My father is a thousand miles away from home, yet he spends all his time with these people. What is he after?

No one here dared to act rashly, so they could only resort to verbal sparring, while Ding Kui, on the side, began to contemplate his own thoughts

If even the people of the Great Medicine Valley are unable to help, then isn't Xie Yun beyond saving

With a whoosh

vividly portrayed what it means to be enemies on a narrow road

In the martial arts world of the Central Plains, with the righteous and the evil factions, the court's watchdogs, and the hidden traitors from the Northern Dynasty... all are present, who else could there be

Li Sheng did not concern himself with others and boldly confronted the members of the Xuanwu Sect who had charged in from the Stone Forest. If he were to face Ding Kui in a one-on-one duel, it would be utterly impossible; however, when dealing with the lackeys of the Xuanwu Sect, Young Master Li was quite at ease. He showed no mercy, easily forcing back one person with just a few sword strikes, and then refrained from pursuing, leaving three or four individuals to guard the formation's core. He himself led the remaining people to dart around within the encirclement of the Xuanwu Sect, remaining calm in both offense and defense. In just a moment, he managed to form a simple formation with his people.

Only then did Chu Tianquan seem to casually toss aside the corpse of a master from the inner court, laughing heartily—he had been celibate since his youth, and while he usually spoke in an ordinary male voice, once he raised his tone, his voice became like a thin, rusty iron sheet, sharp enough to pierce the ears, almost unbearable.

Chu Tianquan's expression changed drastically, as he did not expect the other party to still have a backup plan at this point

In the eyes of the Lord Xuanwu, the lives of his subordinates are akin to the weapons and armor in his hands, all of which can be discarded at any moment. With this tactic of diverting disaster, the Twin Monkeys immediately ceased their entanglement with him and leaped towards the unfortunate soul who had received the Shen Du Fang Seal.

Zhou Fei: "... ..."

Zhao Mingchen was left speechless

Li Sheng gritted his teeth, about to brace himself for another strike from the Xuanwu Master, when he suddenly heard the sound of iron rings clashing beside him. Yang Jin executed the move "The Wild Goose Calls the West Wind," abruptly inserting himself from the side. In the blink of an eye, he had already swung his blade three times, each strike faster than the last. Ding Kui was forced to retreat several steps by his swift attacks, hastily stuffing the Shen Du Fang Seal into his sleeve. Then, with a sudden flick of his finger, he struck the back of Yang Jin's blade with a loud "whoosh," causing Yang Jin's blade to veer slightly off course.

Upon hearing this, everyone was in an uproar—this could be called the "Heroic Gathering of the North", as the North Star boldly took away the family seal of the host, the Huo family. How much amusement would the martial arts community of the Central Plains have?

Xie Yun's long sleeves fluttered in his left hand, resembling the legendary figure in the clouds, "the rainbow as clothing and the wind as a steed." He did not exhibit any flamboyance; instead, he simply thrust out a palm in mid-air. The "Pushing Cloud Palm" possessed the power to strike a cow across a mountain, causing the entire water surface to roar. The arrows that flew into the air fell like autumn leaves, scattering and breaking their wings. A portion of the assassins lying in ambush in the water were even knocked unconscious by his internal energy, bubbling up and floating like dead fish.

Immediately below, there are whispers of those indifferent to state affairs asking: "Who is King Kang? What kind of king is he?"

By coincidence, at that time, the White Tiger leader Feng Feihua sent him a message, embellishing the details by saying that he had learned indirectly that Huo Liantao intended to deal with the Living and Dead Mountain. He also cleverly incited Ding Kui to take the lead, so that he could coordinate with him from within and without, thereby disrupting the Huo family's "Hero Gathering." However, now Ding Kui has indeed arrived as promised, and the unexpectedly present Mu Xiao Qiao is also here, yet the anticipated Feng Feihua remains conspicuously absent.

Xie Yun rarely spoke about the Zhao family, and this lengthy discourse was already a rare occurrence—because Zhou Fei was not only not foolish, but also quite intelligent. Having overheard his conversation with Wu Chuchu, she naturally understood that Zhao Mingchen was the instigator of the current chaos.

Zhou Fei: "... ..."

Mr. Bai heard the noise, and by the time he turned around to respond, it was already too late. In front of him was the ruthless Mu Xiao Qiao, and behind him was an unknown assailant.

However, having come this far, Zhao Mingchen was unwilling to see his efforts go to waste. With a sullen expression and remaining silent, Mr. Xuan once again suffered a setback under Mu Xiao Qiao's hands, nearly stepping into the water.

As the two had just taken a few steps, Mu Xiao Qiao suddenly said from behind, "That girl, are you using Li Zheng's broken snow knife?"

Zhou Fei could not help but glance back at him

At this moment, Mingchen's guards worked hard to clear a path, and the leader called out loudly: "Your Highness, this way!"

At this moment, both parties were taken aback, as they were unexpectedly forced together by the same passerby who pressed their heads.

Zhao Mingchen exclaimed in panic: "Impossible! My father... no, it can't be!"

Zhou Fei raised her long eyebrows, turned her hand to retrieve the Wangchun Mountain, and then used her toes to pick up the scabbard that had fallen to the ground, returning the sword to its sheath: "Do you have a grudge?"

Mr. Bai and Huo Liantao, along with others, were forced into a corner by him and had no choice but to launch a fierce attack on Mu Xiao Qiao. Mu Xiao Qiao seemed to transform into a mass of red lotuses, wherever she went, flames of retribution would inevitably arise. In just a moment, the three top experts under Mr. Bai fell into the water, and Huo Liantao was sent flying, collapsing on the ground, unaware of his fate.

Yang Jin did not notice that she had caused a disturbance and quickly said: "Just now, the brothers of the yellow bats mentioned that there are many men in black rushing here, and that old eunuch is well-prepared. You people from the Central Plains are too shameless; is this a competition of skills or a competition of numbers?"

In the pavilion, Zhao Mingchen was protected by several imperial guards. Seeing that these individuals might not be a match for that madman Mu Xiaoqiao, he was unwilling to call back those who had gone to encircle Chu Tianquan, and thus began to explain: "Lord Zhuque, you know that the old fortress master Huo has not attended to the affairs of the Huo family fortress for many years. Whether I was born at that time is still unknown. What does the enemy you seek have to do with me? Why should I kill my own people?" He continued to explain: "Lord Zhuque, you know that the old fortress master Huo has not attended to the affairs of the Huo family fortress for many years. Whether I was born at that time is still unknown. What does the enemy you seek have to do with me? Why should I kill my own people?"

Wu Chuchu let out a sound of "Ah"

Zhao Mingchen, despite his clever schemes, is only fifteen years old. He is overly self-assured, always believing that he can manipulate everyone at will. Mr. Bai, upon seeing this, broke into a cold sweat and hurriedly said: "Your Highness, withdraw the people and ensure your safe departure first"

They all know that the orphan of Prince Yide, Duke Duan, is an oddity, lacking both literary and martial accomplishments. He spends his days wandering aimlessly outside, preferring to live in poverty and beg rather than return to the Duke's residence to assume his noble title. Emperor Jianyuan has long sent people to pursue him, just to occasionally bring him back to the palace for the New Year celebrations. Whenever Zhao Yuan mentions this nephew, he must first express his desire to resign from his position and return to his 'dream' of doing so, and then he laments the plight of this peculiar royal nephew with great sorrow.

Zhao Mingchen was filled with resentment and had no outlet for it, directing his anger at her with a glare

As he spoke, he carelessly bumped into Zhou Fei, causing her to lose grip on a key she was holding, which unexpectedly slipped from her hand

How should I proceed: "I ... ... I ... ..."

"I do not recognize it, but I can tell at a glance that it is the translucent bone blue, and I am also familiar with the properties of the Guiyang elixir. There are not many people alive today who know it well." Xie Yun sighed softly and continued, "Young Master Ying, although the blade is indeed hard to swallow, it must still be swallowed down."

Xie Yun was taken aback, not understanding the meaning of her "mm"

Ah Fei, Xie Yunzheng said with a serious expression, "I am not joking, open the heavenly gate lock, I will not run away"

Ying Hecong's face turned ashen, his fists clenched tightly, and his whole body trembled involuntarily. He had always possessed an otherworldly demeanor, almost as if he had been raised among snakes and had become foolish. This was the first time Zhou Fei had seen such intense emotions on his face. Ying Hecong's gaze shot straight towards the pale, dough-like old eunuch, as if he wanted to pierce him with his eyes, creating multiple holes in his body.

Li Sheng could no longer tolerate it and exclaimed, "You two should stop causing trouble!"

As soon as Zhao Mingchen appeared, he swiftly took control of the situation with remarkable efficiency. His timing was quite fortuitous, and this "yellow sparrow" can be said to have fulfilled his duties diligently, yet Xie Yun still wore a frown. Wu Chuchu, keenly observing the atmosphere, anxiously inquired: "What’s going on? Even the people of His Highness, King Kang, cannot stop Wen Qu?"

Although he is not a good person, he excels in his resolute and cunning spirit. He understands that in front of someone like Mu Xiao Qiao, showing weakness and begging for mercy is utterly useless. Once she extracts the information he seeks, he will immediately face death. Therefore, Huo Lian Tao refuses to back down. Despite feeling faint, he still manages to force a cold smile, preparing the next words to pierce Mu Xiao Qiao's heart.

However, perhaps it was his utterly miserable appearance that seemed incapable of keeping secrets, or perhaps someone was truly feeling guilty and could not remain calm. Just as Huo Liantao was about to speak, an arrow suddenly shot up from the water, darting straight towards the back of Huo Liantao's head. The distance was too close, and the bloodthirsty Mu Xiao Qiao was caught off guard and failed to react.

If this old eunuch is allowed to come and go freely, in the future, the term "hero" will inevitably become synonymous with "son of a dog," turning into a classic epithet used by ruffians on the streets

They had run for several miles along the way when suddenly, Xie Yun abruptly stopped, turned around, and waved his hand. In the forest, startled crows took flight, cawing loudly. Not far away, the sound of footsteps was approaching them.

At this moment, Zhao Mingchen has regained his composure. Chu Tianquan approaches with an imposing presence, being his open enemy, which is relatively easy to deal with. However, who is it that secretly reaps the benefits and seeks to put him to death?

Xie Yun remained silent, merely gazing from a distance towards the direction of the small building amidst the chaos, as if he were locking eyes with someone.

Xie Yun lowered his voice even further and said: "Young Master Ying, if you were to die, the incense of the Great Medicine Valley would be completely extinguished"

Zhou Fei said: "Pah!"

This young man, clever as he is, has fallen victim to his own cleverness, inadvertently involving himself in the situation, and he truly deserves whatever fate befalls him. However, at this moment, Zhou Fei has been drawn into this mess, taking on unknown risks to protect this culprit. Out of both sentiment and reason, Xie Yun must say a few more words.

At that moment, Yang Jin suddenly flew back and shouted, "Stop dawdling, hurry up!"

Ding Kui turned to the side and said, "Kid, do you dare to show off in front of me?"

The sudden appearance of Chu Tianquan brought a profound silence to the crowd. The formation that Li Sheng had painstakingly established was scattered by this old eunuch with a single show of force, and within a radius of one zhang around him, no one dared to stand. A black-clad figure from the Northern Dipper stepped forward, offering a piece of silk to Chu Tianquan to wipe his hands.

At this moment, dozens of arrowheads emerged from the surface of the water surrounding the pavilion. Mr. Bai and the others had just been lurking at the bottom of the water, yet they were completely unaware of when these people had surfaced! Xie Yun glanced quickly out of the corner of his eye and said to Zhou Fei, "Men on the left, women on the right. This time, you better not use the excuse of bumping into me to take advantage of me again"

Li Sheng murmured: "Who are you?"

Zhou Fei did not give him much of a response, merely nodding to indicate that she had heard, and replied: "Mm."

Before the beads of sweat had fallen onto Zhao Mingchen's shoulders, a crisp sound of clashing iron chains suddenly reached his ears. He had no time to raise his head for a closer look when the suddenly taut iron chain struck against his waist.

As he spoke, he reached out with his hand in a claw-like gesture to grab Yang Jin's shoulder. Li Sheng, who had just retreated, immediately stepped forward, skillfully delivering his twin swords, which he perfectly handed over to Ding Kui. Ding Kui clicked his tongue in acknowledgment, firmly grasping the sword, but unexpectedly, a strong gust of wind came from behind him, and Yang Jin's long knife was once again approaching.