The second gathering at the Qunfang Pavilion

As Zhao Kai dodged for a while, his movements and footwork showed considerable improvement. Just as he was feeling pleased with himself, hearing the young man's words struck him like a bolt from the blue. He thought to himself, "No matter how beautifully I dodge, it won't make Miss Yun take notice of me; I must find a way to strike." Suddenly, he changed his stance and flashed behind Guan Ziqi, delivering a punch aimed at his back. Guan Ziqi shouted, "Aren't you going to run away anymore?" He sidestepped to avoid the attack, then swung his blade again. It was strange; previously, they had been evenly matched in their chase, but now that they were finally engaged in combat, the situation remained equally balanced.

Han Pangzi shook his head and said: "It is not that I do not wish to ascertain the truth. On the day this young lady made her public appearance, I happened to be out of town. Upon my return, I occasionally heard friends mention it, and I was immediately filled with curiosity, so I made a special trip that evening. However, this young lady has her own special rules, which cannot be bypassed by mere gold, silver, or jewels. I clearly did not meet the qualifications, so I could only return home with my nose in hand."

He was perplexed and still could not understand what had actually happened, yet the audience erupted in enthusiastic applause. Li Mian effortlessly neutralized the attacks of the two individuals, allowing them to retreat unscathed, which was a feat more difficult than injuring them. The disparity in their martial skills was now evident. Guan Ziqi, realizing this, could not help but turn pale with anger. He retrieved his weapon from Li Mian without uttering a word and left in a huff, not looking back.

As soon as these words were spoken, the entire venue erupted in an uproar, and the crowd turned their heads in unison, looking up. Li Mian stood on the stage, directly facing the window of the Flower Pavilion. Upon hearing the words, he looked up and indeed saw a woman in a yellow dress by the window of the room on the left side of the second floor. Although the distance was great and the light was dim, making it difficult to discern her features, he could still vaguely sense that the woman seemed to smile yet not smile, her beauty unparalleled, possessing an enchanting and captivating power. Li Mian's heart stirred, and he thought to himself: "This girl truly resembles a celestial maiden descending to the mortal realm, such beauty is rarely seen in this world." He further contemplated that standing alone on this stage at this moment, he must be the focal point of this lady's gaze. In an instant, it felt as if the weight of his bones had lightened by several ounces, almost as if he could float away on the spot.

Free and Unfettered faced Yan Huchen, who was carrying a long sword, yet at this moment stood empty-handed in confrontation. Unable to restrain himself, he asked, "Why not draw your sword?" Yan Huchen replied, "The esteemed one has just fought against many opponents and has not yet rested. It would be inappropriate for me to take advantage of this, so I am willing to suffer a slight loss in terms of weaponry." Free and Unfettered initially intended to say, "That is unnecessary!" but then thought, "This person has considerable strength in throwing coins; if he wishes to act as a hero with empty hands, why should I stop him?" He then said, "Your empty hands can be used to throw hidden weapons, which does not count as a loss." Yan Huchen responded, "If I were to injure you with hidden weapons, that would mean I have lost."

Upon hearing this, everyone cheered loudly. Zi Zai Zai felt that the situation was becoming complicated, and although he was unwilling, for some reason, Yun Meng's words possessed a certain magic that made him respond without hesitation: "Hmph, if I do not personally send him away, he might think I am truly afraid of him. Since Miss Yun is accompanying me tonight, he will inevitably come to my mind. Very well, I will grant him this opportunity as you suggested." Although he was responding to Yun Meng, his gaze was fixed intently on Yan Hu Chen, as if he were trying to see through to his very bones. Very well, I will grant him this opportunity as you suggested. Although he was responding to Yun Meng, his gaze was fixed intently on Yan Hu Chen, as if he were trying to see through to his very bones.

This year marks the fifth year of the Tianxi era under Emperor Zhenzong of the Song Dynasty, specifically the fourth month, which is the ninth year since the Treaty of Chanyuan was established. The borders remain undisturbed, the realm is tranquil, and it is indeed a time of peace and prosperity throughout the land, with the nation flourishing and the people at ease. Although the sky is gradually darkening, the city of Bianliang is bustling with activity, with travelers continuously passing through the streets, creating a scene of abundance and prosperity. To the south of Longjin Bridge stands a three-story building, adorned with lanterns and decorations, a splendid restaurant named "Fan Lou." At this moment, lights are being lit layer by layer within the building, slowly illuminating through the paper windows, while below, the sounds of carriages and horses create a lively din, with voices rising in a crescendo as the night deepens. Several heavily made-up courtesans stand at the eaves, posing and beckoning to passersby.

Although Yunmeng is a woman, she is quite obsessed with martial arts; otherwise, she would not have devised such an unusual method for selecting guests. Relying on her natural beauty, she has indeed attracted many martial arts masters, who have come to pay their respects and have fallen under her charm. Initially, both parties benefited from this arrangement, and there was nothing inappropriate about it. However, in recent years, she has come to realize that there are numerous martial arts sects in the world, and not all can be learned. Especially as her martial arts skills have continued to improve, she has gradually developed her own ethereal and delicate style. It has become nearly impossible for her to switch to a more masculine form of martial arts. Yan Huchen possesses high martial arts skills, and his style aligns perfectly with her preferences. Coupled with his handsome appearance and robust physique, this transaction is simply advantageous in multiple ways, making it indispensable. Thus, she readily conceded defeat at the outset, eager to take him upstairs immediately.

Yan Hucheng said: "That is merely the kindness of friends in the martial world, to place my worthless and shabby sword technique in such high regard. To be honest, this set of sword techniques of mine, without considering variations, consists of seventy-two forms." Yunmeng's face flushed, and she suddenly leaned closer, whispering to Yan Hucheng: "If you, Sir Yan, do not mind, how about letting me accompany you for seventy-two nights, and you can teach me all seventy-two forms of your sword technique?" Even if Yan Hucheng were infatuated, he knew this matter was absolutely out of the question, so he replied: "If you like, teaching you a few moves is no trouble at all, but if it goes beyond that, not to mention anything else, I simply do not have that much silver."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Kai inserted his hands at his waist and shouted down to the audience: "You, fat man, if you have the guts, come up here and spar with me. Hiding below the stage and talking big, what kind of hero does that make you!" Han the Fat was unafraid, pointing at him and laughing heartily, ready to mock him further. Suddenly, a figure flew onto the stage from the crowd, saying: "Indeed, there are people beyond people, and heavens beyond heavens..." Before the words were finished, the figure lightly landed on the ring, standing face to face with Zhao Kai, their noses almost touching, merely half a foot apart.

The disheveled monk, calm and unperturbed, repeated his last words: "This is not a place for you, leave quickly, leave quickly." As he spoke, he extended his wooden staff and swiftly tapped Zhao Kai's left shoulder. Zhao Kai was taken aback, his left shoulder recoiling, and he swung his right fist to strike. The disheveled monk seemed intent on provoking him; the wooden staff circled slightly, adhering to the outer side of his right arm. With a pull and a tug, Zhao Kai's body involuntarily spun around like a top. The disheveled monk's staff slid down smoothly, the tip reaching between Zhao Kai's legs, supporting his hips and lifting him upward. The crowd watched as Zhao Kai flew forward, his hands and feet flailing wildly, amidst cries of alarm, disappearing into the night, followed by a loud splash, indicating he had fallen into the Cai River.

Free and unrestrained, he let out two chuckles, raised his wooden staff, and was about to pursue. Suddenly, a figure leaped onto the stage, shouting, "You foul monk, don't you want to deal with us together? I have come to fulfill your wish!" With a lift of his right hand, a beam of white light shot out. Free and unrestrained set Li Mian down, and with his left hand, he brought the iron bowl over, producing a loud "clang" as he trapped the white light within the bowl. Seizing this opportunity, Li Mian retreated a distance of ten feet. Free and unrestrained set Li Mian down, and with his left hand, he brought the iron bowl over, producing a loud "clang" as he trapped the white light within the bowl. Seizing this opportunity, Li Mian retreated a distance of ten feet.

However, it is fortunate that Yan Zhuifeng has a distinct feature, which is the wild goose tattoo on his neck. Although at that time, many people in society had tattoos, there was likely only one person in the world with such formidable martial arts skills and a wild goose tattoo on his neck—Yan Zhuifeng. Therefore, upon seeing him, Ziyou Zizai and Yunmeng immediately thought of him. Yan Zhuifeng's reputation was well-known, and when Ziyou Zizai saw him holding a sword, he was secretly astonished, realizing that he was definitely not his match. After all, a true hero does not suffer losses in front of him; retreating a step opens up vast horizons. Thus, upon seeing him, Ziyou Zizai and Yunmeng immediately thought of him. Yan Zhuifeng's reputation was well-known, and when Ziyou Zizai saw him holding a sword, he was secretly astonished, realizing that he was definitely not his match. After all, a true hero does not suffer losses in front of him; retreating a step opens up vast horizons. He then said: "So it is the great hero Yan, my apologies, my apologies. As the saying goes, a precious sword is given to a hero, and a beauty is paired with a hero. It is rare that the renowned Zhuifeng Sword shares the same passion for this path as the monk. As the saying goes: A gentleman helps others achieve their beauty. This time, I will give you face and let Miss Yunmeng be with you; what harm could it do? It is rare that the renowned Zhuifeng Sword shares the same passion for this path as the monk. As the saying goes: A gentleman helps others achieve their beauty. This time, I will give you face and let Miss Yunmeng be with you; what harm could it do? Brother Yan, enjoy yourself, and do not accompany too much!" After saying this, he flashed his figure and was about to leave.

Han the Fatty did not wait for the brothel keeper to respond, and directly continued: "I heard that a young lady has come from Yangzhou to the Qunfang Building. The other day, when she made her appearance there, the place was so crowded that not a drop of water could leak through. Those who saw her all said that she looked like a celestial being descended to earth, a true beauty of unparalleled grace, rare in the world." His words were meant for both the brothel keeper and the young man with the surname Li. Upon hearing this, the young man with the surname Li could not help but feel a sense of longing.

Having roamed the rivers and lakes freely for over ten years, I had never heard of this person's name, so I thought he must not be a formidable character. Feeling relieved, I said: "If the valiant Yan has no further business, may I step down? Miss Yun is still waiting to spar with me!" I then turned to the young man and said: "Young brother, why don't you invite Miss Yun to come down?" The young man replied: "Miss Yun has already come down."

To say that Yan Huchen is deliberately stirring up trouble would not be accurate. However, to claim that he is unaware of the rules is certainly not the case. It turns out that while passing through Bianliang Street, he overheard people discussing an event at the Qunfang Building. With nothing else to do and driven by curiosity, he came to investigate. He initially thought, how beautiful could a girl who enjoys wielding knives and guns possibly be? Therefore, he did not sign up for the competition. But upon seeing her now, he was truly astonished by her beauty, carefree and unkempt, how could he dare to insult or offend her? He could not help but interject, saying: "Please do not misunderstand, esteemed one. Just look at this Miss Yun, her body is as soft as if it has no bones; if one were to lift her, she would hardly weigh a few taels. Just now, your wooden staff displayed such might that it created a large hole in the floor; how could that possibly be used to deal with Miss Yun?"

This is a poem depicting the prosperous scene of taverns and markets in the capital city of Bianliang during the Northern Song Dynasty. Through wind and rain, cold and heat, day and night, the colorful towers and tiled roofs welcome and bid farewell to countless people, who linger and forget to leave, squandering their money and youth. In the end, even as the splendor fades from view, one may still sing: "After ten years of dreaming in Yangzhou, I have gained a reputation for being unfaithful in the brothels." This evokes a sentiment of: "Life is but this; one must seize the joy in time."

Li Mian made a grab but missed, stepping diagonally with his right foot, his left hand forming a beak-like shape as he reached towards Zi You Zi's neck. The two were originally about three to four feet apart, yet Li Mian's beak-like motion surprisingly brushed against Zi You Zi's back. However, Zi You Zi did not even glance back; with a swift motion of his left hand, the iron bowl he held perfectly intercepted Li Mian's beak. He let out a cold laugh and said, "Hey, so it's the Tiger and Crane Double Form, but you are no match for me." Li Mian, enraged, let out a few shouts, launching a series of attacks with his right hand grabbing and left hand pecking, executing twenty to thirty moves in quick succession. Zi You Zi, wielding a wooden staff in his right hand and the iron bowl in his left, also countered with a flurry of twenty to thirty moves. Yet, Zi You Zi remained unfazed, his left hand reversing the iron bowl to block the beak once more, laughing coldly as he repeated, "Hey, so it's the Tiger and Crane Double Form, but you are no match for me." Li Mian, filled with fury, shouted again, launching another series of attacks with his right hand grabbing and left hand pecking, executing twenty to thirty moves, while Zi You Zi continued to counter with his wooden staff and iron bowl, matching him move for move.

Han Pangzi chuckled and said: "To be honest, I do feel a bit unwilling. Otherwise, I should have let you try it long ago. The conditions set by this young lady are ones I simply do not possess; I wouldn't be able to prepare them in five or ten years. Therefore, I had no choice but to give up. But my brother, it's different for you. This is innate capital, destined for you to enjoy her favor."

Yun dreamt of a gaze that was free and unrestrained, feeling a slight sense of curiosity. She turned around and followed his line of sight, noticing the wild goose tattoo on Yan Huchen's neck. She couldn't help but exclaim: "Oh, you... you are Yan Zhuifeng!"

This thrust, executed with utmost freedom, had long been mastered by him. Regardless of how the enemy moved or dodged, he had a method to counter from every direction. This had always been his unique strategy for turning defeat into victory, for no one would expect that a person who had just spared his life would immediately retaliate. Over the years, countless renowned figures had fallen under this lethal thrust of his. However, at this moment, although Yan Huchen had his back to him, Yunmeng was directly facing him. Yunmeng suddenly noticed a glimmer of cold light emanating from Yan Huchen's back and realized what was happening. His right arm extended, revealing a gleaming dagger in his hand, and he whispered, "Be careful!" as he pointed directly at Yan Huchen's left shoulder.

As he freely and swiftly changed his moves, he lightly tapped with his left foot, perfectly leveraging the momentum to leap backward, feigning ease as he loudly declared, "We shall meet again!" to appear nonchalant. Yan Hucheng laughed heartily and said, "But don't be in such a hurry!" He sheathed his long sword and swiftly leaped forward, using both palms to precisely block the soles of his feet. In mid-air, how could the free-spirited individual evade? In a moment of urgency, he could only exert force with his feet and kick, thinking to himself, "Just watch me crush you!" Yan Hucheng laughed heartily and said, "But don't be in such a hurry!" He sheathed his long sword and swiftly leaped forward, using both palms to precisely block the soles of his feet. In mid-air, how could the free-spirited individual evade? In a moment of urgency, he could only exert force with his feet and kick, thinking to himself, "Just watch me crush you!"

Li Mian was also taken aback, realizing that although this person had a lewd expression, he possessed astonishing skills. He clasped his hands and said, "This master has exceptional martial arts, which is truly admirable." The monk did not even lift his eyelids and replied, "Are you convinced?" Li Mian said, "I am in awe!" The monk then said, "Since that is the case, why not step down?"

As everyone looked at me and I looked at them, suddenly we couldn't help but burst into laughter. In the midst of this mutual contagion, even Yunmeng found it amusing, covering her mouth and laughing so hard that she trembled. Some curious onlookers even took torches to the riverbank, wanting to see the carefree spectacle. However, after that carefree individual fell into the water, he did not resurface. Some speculated that he had drowned, but more believed he had secretly swum away. Some curious onlookers even took torches to the riverbank, wanting to see the carefree spectacle. However, after that carefree individual fell into the water, he did not resurface. Some speculated that he had drowned, but more believed he had secretly swum away.

Suddenly, with a carefree shout, he exclaimed: "Now!" Li Mian stumbled backward, and with a loud "bang," he collided with the wooden post at the edge of the arena, causing the entire platform to tilt with a creaking sound. The young man struck the gong in his hand and said: "The outcome is clear, Master Li, please step down from the stage"

Yan Huchen was not a lecherous man; however, this lady from Yunmeng somehow possessed the ability to captivate him, revealing a side of Yan Huchen that was different from his usual self. He spoke without regard for the weight of his words, solely focused on taking the matter upon himself. His anger flared more intensely as he tightly gripped his wooden staff and said, "You..." while still forcing himself to suppress his rage

In this way, the other courtesans became displeased and immediately surrounded Fat Han, vying for his attention and showering him with flattery. Fat Han said, "Do not mind me; whoever can make my brother Li happy will be rewarded." The women understood and turned back to attend to the young man named Li. The young man named Li then engaged in some playful banter and drank quite a bit.

The young man has been drinking since noon, and he has lost count of how much he has consumed. Although he still has some capacity for alcohol, he finally said, "Brother Han, I can't go on any longer. I concede, I concede! I won't drink anymore, I won't drink anymore." The middle-aged fat man laughed and replied, "Why does Brother Li say such things? Is it because you find that I have not been a good host?" The young man surnamed Li responded, "Brother Han, you have hosted me at this Fan Building for three days. This Fan Building is the largest restaurant in the capital, and I have already consumed an unknown amount of your silver. For you to say that you have not been a good host now would be to belittle me, wouldn't it?"

The young man with the surname Li felt his blood surging and was eager to try. The fat man Han said, "Look, Mom, my brother is here, and he has such a demeanor. It seems you won't be able to keep him here." The old madam, seeing that the situation was settled, did not insist on keeping the guest and simply said, "It is only natural for young people to seek novelty. However, I have seen this many times; a young lady should be gentle and affectionate, understanding and considerate. Seeking to attract attention and being unconventional cannot last long."

Unrestrained yet feeling a lack of radiance on his face, anger arose within him for no apparent reason. With a low growl, he raised his wooden staff and struck at Li Mian. The young man, seeing this, hurriedly said: "Master, the outcome is already decided, please stop!" Unrestrained, he was in no mood to listen. Li Mian, sensing the fierce momentum, also wished to evade, but after the recent blow to his back, the pain was excruciating, and at that moment, his legs would not obey him. With no other choice, he rolled aside amidst the gasps of the crowd, narrowly escaping. Unrestrained, having missed his strike, was unwilling to relent; he lifted the wooden staff again for another blow. Li Mian, seeing the fierce approach, desperately tried to dodge, but the pain from the previous impact was still searing, and his legs remained unresponsive. With no options left, he rolled aside once more amidst the crowd's exclamations, narrowly avoiding disaster. Unrestrained, undeterred by the miss, raised his staff for yet another strike. Li Mian, now on the ground and unable to move, realized he could no longer evade and thought to himself: "So be it!" He resigned himself to his fate.

With a free and easy motion, he drew out a wooden staff, on which was affixed a copper coin, embedded more than halfway into the wood. A figure then leaped onto the stage and said, "Where mercy can be shown, let it be shown. Since you have already won, why must you harm others without cause?" The one known as Free and Easy realized that this person could cause his hands to go numb with just a copper coin, indicating he was no ordinary individual. He secretly gathered his energy in preparation and replied, "What business is it of yours?" Taking advantage of this moment, Li Mian had already rolled aside, managing to escape temporarily. Once his thoughts settled, he turned to look at his savior. He saw that this person was over eight feet tall, with a red scarf tied around his neck. He was no ordinary individual; he secretly gathered his energy in preparation and said, "What business is it of yours?" Li Mian had already rolled aside, managing to escape temporarily. Once his thoughts settled, he turned to look at his savior. He saw that this person was over eight feet tall, with a red scarf tied around his neck. He carried a long sword on his back, had thick eyebrows and large eyes, a strong back and a sturdy waist, a full beard, and his entire face was covered in fine hair. From a distance, he resembled a black bear dressed as a human, exuding a formidable presence.

With a carefree glance at him, she turned to the young man and said: "Did you not just say that there are a total of 8 participants in today's competition? Besides these three, there are still four others. Let's call them all up; a moment of spring night is worth a thousand gold! I do not wish to waste time here!"

Han the Fatty said with slight displeasure, "Why is it different from when I came back?" The attendant replied, "This is a new rule. Recently, some guests registered in advance but later changed their minds. Miss Yun is quite unhappy about this." Li Mian thought to himself, "So this girl’s surname is Yun." Han the Fatty, feeling displeased, said, "Do you know who I am? Would I be that kind of person?" The attendant, maintaining a respectful yet assertive demeanor, responded, "Please calm down, sir. I am merely carrying out orders."

Li Mian was drenched in sweat, his face alternating between shades of blue and white, unable to stand for a moment. Feeling carefree and full of himself, he let out a couple of cold laughs, just about to utter some mocking words when he suddenly felt a warm liquid bursting forth from beneath his nose, flowing down to his chin. His face showed surprise and suspicion as he reached out to wipe it, only to find his palm covered in blood. It turned out that Li Mian had, unbeknownst to him, landed a punch on his nose at some point. At first, he felt nothing and thought little of it, but now blood was streaming from his nose, and waves of soreness were relentlessly attacking his nasal bridge, causing tears to fall inexplicably.

Since Ziyou Zizai began using both hands to wield the staff, his techniques have become more adept and varied. However, upon seeing Yan Huchen's worried expression, he felt a sense of triumph and became even more ruthless. Yet, after several exchanges, not only did he fail to gain the upper hand, but he also caught sight of Yan Huchen actually smirking. Alarmed and anxious, he swung the staff towards Yan Huchen's left ear, no longer merely sparring but intent on taking his opponent's life. Yan Huchen swiftly dodged, his right arm extending suddenly, and with a sharp "pa," he struck Ziyou Zizai's nape, sealing his "Dazhui acupoint." He was both shocked and anxious, swinging the staff again towards Yan Huchen's left ear, no longer merely sparring but intent on taking his opponent's life. Yan Huchen swiftly dodged, his right arm extending suddenly, and with a sharp "pa," he struck Ziyou Zizai's nape, sealing his "Dazhui acupoint."

The old madam has been in this line of work for over ten years and is already quite experienced. In the city of Bianjing, all the large and small brothels, regardless of any rumors or happenings, are beyond her hearing. The Fat Han mentioned the Qunfang Building, which is merely a small brothel located outside the Chenzhou Gate by the Cai River. The old madam never regarded it highly, but upon hearing him mention it, she recalled that there seemed to have been some commotion at the Qunfang Building a few months ago. However, she had not heard of any significant profits from it afterward, so she did not pay it much mind. Now, when she tries to remember that incident, she finds it impossible to recall it clearly.

As Ziyou Zizai completed this round of fierce attacks from Li Mian, he suddenly swung his staff, striking directly at the center. Li Mian leaned to the side, attempting to grab the staff, but unexpectedly, as soon as he touched it, it felt as if he had encountered a piece of red-hot coal. Startled, he reflexively withdrew his hand. Ziyou Zizai seized this opening, showing no hesitation. Following the movement of the staff, he struck towards Li Mian's waist. Li Mian barely managed to defend himself, but with a loud thud, he retreated three steps, already injured. Startled, he reflexively withdrew his hand. Ziyou Zizai seized this opening, showing no hesitation. Following the movement of the staff, he struck towards Li Mian's waist. Li Mian barely managed to defend himself, but with a loud thud, he retreated three steps, already injured.

The young man with the surname Li expressed concern, saying, "Big brother, be careful, don't choke!" Han, the chubby man, coughed a few times, regained his breath, and continued with a smile, "Ah, I know why you are so tired. To put it plainly, it's just that you're bored of playing! Isn't that right? Hahaha!" As he spoke, he patted Li's shoulder. The young man with the surname Li did not respond, only offering an awkward smile. Han laughed even more heartily this time and said, "Come on, come on, I know a place that will definitely suit your taste." As he said this, he prepared to get up. The group of women became anxious upon hearing this, some holding hands, others hugging their legs, all saying, "Master Han, Master Li, please don't go, we still have fresh experiences here that you haven't tried yet, you absolutely must not leave like this." Some even added, "Master Li, I have just learned a new skill; if you don't leave, I will show you this new trick right away."

At ease, upon hearing him mention "her whole body is as supple as if it has no bones," he couldn't help but glance at Yunmeng's figure. The thought of her smooth skin beneath her clothing instantly made his mouth dry and his resolve to possess her deepened. He said, "If my demon-subduing staff technique cannot be wielded freely, then what power is there to speak of? Miss Yun has delicate skin; I will certainly be careful and will not harm her in any way."

The audience nodded in agreement, acknowledging the reasonableness of his statement, and remained silent. Then the young man continued: "There is also a difficulty with this method of comparison, which is that if there are two or more heroes who defeat Miss Yun, then that night, wouldn't she have to serve two or three people at the same time..." Before he could finish, someone in the audience suddenly said softly: "That wouldn't be so bad..." The audience immediately burst into laughter.

Li Mian chuckled, "If Brother Zhao is interested, I shall certainly accompany you." Upon hearing this, the fat man Han below laughed loudly, saying, "Brother, kick this arrogant little brat down a notch, and let him know what it means that there are people beyond people, and heavens beyond heavens, so that he doesn't become too full of himself and ends up losing his life in confusion, not even knowing how he died. Hahaha!" Upon hearing this, everyone else also burst into laughter.

Startled and at ease, he hurriedly turned around, only to see a woman gracefully approaching. Her beauty was unparalleled, her demeanor elegant and poised. Her enchanting eyes sparkled with emotion, reminiscent of a lotus emerging from the water, pure and refined, akin to a peony adorned with dew, delicate and vibrant. Although many among the crowd had seen her before, the moment was different, leaving them dumbfounded. Those who had never seen her were even more astonished, as if they were witnessing a celestial being, unaware of how she had arrived or when. As he gazed at her, he swallowed hard, instinctively tucked his wooden staff under his left arm, freed his right hand, wiped his soiled face with his sleeve, and then extended his fingers as if to comb through his disheveled hair. At that moment, everyone was focused on Miss Yun, and no one noticed his peculiar actions.

Two individuals entered the door, and a servant was already there to greet them. The stout man, Han, directly stated his purpose, and the servant understood, leading the two of them through the back hall. Soon, they emerged outside, where they found themselves by the banks of the Cai River. There was a cleared area by the riverbank, one side facing the river and the other adjacent to a building. The young man with the surname Li noticed that a platform had been erected by the river, measuring four zhang in length and three zhang in width. Torches were lit around the platform, illuminating the entire area as if it were broad daylight.

Those who wished to take the lead had not yet had the chance to respond when someone in the audience remarked, "We have been here for so long and have yet to see Miss Yun; who knows if she is worth us fighting so hard for her." The young man replied, "Miss Yun has been standing by the window on the second floor for quite some time; did the heroes not notice her?"

The two walked for a while and entered the hall of the Qunfang Building. Upon seeing them, the madam approached with a smile and said, "Is this the champion of today? Oh my, sir, you are handsome and imposing, no wonder Miss Yun decided so quickly this time. Please, do come in!" The implication was that in the end, Miss Yun would still be particular about the guest's outward appearance, rather than judging solely based on martial skills.

The madam said, "Isn't the purpose of coming out to do business just to seek gold and silver treasures? And there are still girls who can't settle their financial matters; the madam of the Flower Pavilion is truly incompetent." Fat Han replied, "This is where you don't understand; otherwise, why is it special? And why is it fresh? Why must I take my brother with me?" The madam stared in astonishment.

The goodwill of these two individuals, how could Guan and Zhao be unaware of it? However, both were caught up in their emotions, unable to rein in their actions in a short span of time. The situation had escalated to the point where if either one suddenly felt fear and withdrew, it would undoubtedly result in the other being struck down on the spot. With insufficient mutual trust, how could they possibly cease their actions together? Guan Ziqi thought that if Zhao Kai understood the words of the onlookers, he would surely begin to slow down his punches. Until that moment, he could not afford to relax at all. On the other hand, Zhao Kai believed that if Guan Ziqi knew how to control his advance and retreat, he would definitely reduce the range of his strikes. Before that, if he showed even a hint of cowardice, he feared it would lead to a bloodbath on the spot. Guan Ziqi thought that if Zhao Kai understood the words of the onlookers, he would surely begin to slow down his punches. Until that moment, he could not afford to relax at all. On the other hand, Zhao Kai believed that if Guan Ziqi knew how to control his advance and retreat, he would definitely reduce the range of his strikes. Before that, if he showed even a hint of cowardice, he feared it would lead to a bloodbath on the spot

Although this monk appears unremarkable, he surprisingly possesses a charm that can tease young ladies. Yunmeng couldn't help but chuckle and said, "That requires someone to show their skills." As he watched freely, his heart involuntarily stirred, but he quickly regained his composure, not daring to be presumptuous. He waved his wooden staff lightly and said, "My staff technique is quite exceptional; I ask Miss Yun to reveal her weapon." With a smile in her eyes, Yunmeng replied, "I am not accustomed to using weapons"

Unexpectedly, Yan Huchen had long anticipated this move. With a pull and a push of his palms, he perfectly combined the force of the downward kick with the force of his own forward strike. The onlookers only saw his body, free and unrestrained, suddenly shoot up two or three zhang high, flying straight towards the back of the arena. They were still unclear whether he had managed to escape, when suddenly, with a loud "thud," a heavy object fell into the Cai River.

The two eyes roamed freely over the woman, and after feeling that she had tidied her appearance, he opened his mouth and said, "You are Miss Yun?" His words could hardly conceal his excitement. The woman seemed to have long been accustomed to such rude and unrestrained gazes from men, and did not take it to heart. She replied, "My name is Yunmeng. You may call me Miss Yun, as the others have, or like the previous few victors, you can call me Meng'er."

Then Han the Fat laughed heartily and said, "Qiu Shuang, you truly have talent, there is a reward, there is a reward! Hahaha!" The young lady named Qiu Shuang was overjoyed and took a silver ingot from the hands of the attendants behind Han the Fat, smilingly saying, "Thank you, Master Han, for the reward!"

When Yan Huchen saw Yunmeng suddenly take action, without a moment's hesitation, he instinctively tilted his neck to the right. Almost simultaneously, a clear sound of "clang" rang in his ear, and even a fool would understand what was happening. He quickly crouched down and hurriedly stepped aside, while simultaneously turning around. With a swift motion, he drew the long sword from his back. Yunmeng laughed and said, "Oh dear master, why must you get so worked up over a little girl? If someone were to lose their life, how would I continue to do business in this capital?" Her right hand moved skillfully, a golden-handled dagger spinning continuously in her grasp. Although her words were directed at Ziyou, they were equally meant for Yan Huchen. Yunmeng continued, "Oh dear master, why must you get so worked up over a little girl? If someone were to lose their life, how would I continue to do business in this capital?" Her right hand moved skillfully, a golden-handled dagger spinning continuously in her grasp. Although her words were directed at Ziyou, they were equally meant for Yan Huchen.

The young man with the surname Li inquired, "I wonder what conditions and rules this young lady has. If even my elder brother is not qualified, how can I, as a younger brother, aspire to her?" He thought that although his sworn brother was generous and spent money like water, he also cared about his reputation. That day, he had specially gone to the Qunfang Building for some entertainment, but for some reason, he ended up with a nose full of dust. The situation must have been quite awkward at that time. If he were to go there recklessly now, and if the other party were to instead take a liking to him, wouldn't that embarrass his sworn brother on the spot? He began to hesitate.

Upon hearing this, everyone felt it was quite unreasonable; however, due to his formidable martial arts skills, no one dared to joke with their own lives by speaking up at that moment. The young boy who had previously been beating the gong and burning incense approached and asked, "Is your esteemed title 'Free and Unfettered'?" The monk replied, "Indeed, my esteemed title is 'Free and Unfettered.' I am free in my external actions and introspective in my inner self, thus I do not adhere to forms; all is empty. You are too attached to appearances, which is why you cannot be free and unencumbered, and you must attain enlightenment. Alas, Amitabha..."

At that moment, the crowd below was overjoyed to see Miss Yun's beautiful visage. Although the distance was somewhat far, making it difficult to see clearly, the view from afar was quite pleasing. It was reasonable to assume that a closer look would be just as delightful. Two individuals, quick on their feet, rushed up to the stage from either side. They arrived almost simultaneously and began to argue, saying, "I arrived first." "No, I got up here first."

Ziyou Zizai only felt a numbness at the "Dazhui acupoint," rendering his entire body immobile, and he thought to himself, "It's over!" The others were still unaware of what had happened, but they saw Yan Huchen jump back, clasp his fists, and say, "Thank you for your kindness!" He then stepped forward again, reached out, and touched the back of Ziyou Zizai's neck once more, unblocking the acupoint that had been sealed. At that moment, everyone could see clearly, and an instantaneous eruption of thunderous cheers and applause followed.

As soon as these words were spoken, there was an uproar among the crowd. Li Mian was no innocent bystander; hearing such carefree remarks made him feel utterly disrespected. Instantly, he was filled with rage, his expression darkening as he said, "If that is the case, then what are we waiting for?" He took a stance, opened his right hand, waved it at him, and said, "Come on!"

Yan Huchen shook his head and said: "But just now, the master clearly stated: 'My staff technique is not ordinary, I ask Miss Yun to reveal her weapon.' This shows that fists and feet have no eyes, and the master has no confidence, correct? I, lacking in talent, am willing to shield Miss Yun from this calamity of bloodshed." Ziyou Zizai was furious, but did not wish to create further complications, and suppressed his anger, saying: "This does not conform to Miss Yun's rules..." Yan Huchen, unwilling to give him a chance to evade, directly pressed on, saying: "Is it that the master is inherently upright and adheres to conventions? Or is it that he fears engaging with me?"

As Yan Huchen remained intoxicated by the soft fragrance of Yunmeng, he suddenly jolted, realizing that Yunmeng had moved far away. Observing this, the crowd gradually dispersed. Fatty Han supported Li Mian to come forward and pay his respects, and then also took his leave. If Li Mian had not witnessed it with his own eyes, he would have believed that his martial arts were formidable; even if he could not be considered a top expert, he at least thought he could rank among the second tier. However, after this comparison, he realized that he might not even qualify as a third-tier character, leaving him with an overwhelming sense of disappointment as he sighed and departed.

Suddenly, someone in the audience said: "Hey, young man, I came here to seek guidance from Miss Yun, not to compete in a ring. Instead of calling Miss Yun out, you want us to fight here first. Isn't that rather suspicious?" Li Mian had already taken a few steps forward in response to the young man's call, but upon hearing this person's reasonable words, he stopped in his tracks. The audience immediately echoed in agreement, questioning whether the young man had made a mistake.

Upon hearing this, Yan Huchen hurriedly interjected, "Wait a moment, are you two really planning to engage in a confrontation now?" Ziyou Zizai cast him a sidelong glance and replied, "Brother Yan, do you truly not know, or are you deliberately trying to stir up trouble?"

The audience was abuzz with discussions, and those on stage were not having an easy time either. Especially Guan Ziqi, who found it difficult to maintain his composure, shouted loudly and swung his blade. Zhao Kai, seeing the other party lose their temper, realized that while this might lead to a moment of impatience and reveal a flaw, if he were to carelessly get caught by that blade, it would not be a trivial matter. He quickly lowered his body, darting around the stage, deciding to temporarily evade the edge of the sword.

Then Han the Fat noticed that his brother seemed somewhat unusual, always appearing unrestrained, so he inquired, "Dear brother, you really do look a bit fatigued; is your health not well?" The young man with the surname Li smiled wryly and replied, "To be honest with you, Brother Han, we have been drinking since the night before last, and I am indeed feeling a bit weary." Han the Fat frowned and said, "Aren't you just being polite with me? Although I have drunk a lot, I am not yet drunk. Last year, we also drank and called for girls here, and we drank for a total of seven days and nights; I remember it very clearly."

Zhao Kai was taken aback by the sudden actions of this person, involuntarily stepping back a few paces. Upon getting a clearer look at the newcomer, his heart sank even further. The individual appeared disheveled, with unkempt hair and bare feet, holding a bowl in one hand and leaning on a staff with the other, resembling a filthy beggar. Dressed neatly and cleanly himself, Zhao Kai was concerned that the lice and fleas on the other person might jump over to him, prompting him to step back another pace. He frowned and said, "If you wish to beg for alms, go to the street; this is not a place for you. Leave! Leave!"

The young man named Zhao Kai pulled his gaze back from the windowsill and suddenly thought, "Wait a minute, his name is Ghost Head Big Knife Guan Ziqi, he wouldn't be planning to use a knife, would he?" Just as he finished this thought, he heard the old man Guan Ziqi stretch out his right hand and shout, "Knife, come!" At the same time, a young man below the stage threw up a thick-backed big knife, which spun twice in the air before landing lightly and skillfully in Guan Ziqi's hand

Although Zhao Kai is young, he is remarkably agile. Guan Ziqi's blade flashes fiercely as he strikes with a flurry of forty to fifty blows, creating a whirlwind of knife shadows across the arena, yet none manage to touch him. One pursues while the other desperately flees, much to the dissatisfaction of the audience below, who begin to murmur and shout: "What is going on here? If you lack the courage, just step down and stop wasting our time!" "Hey, hey, hey! How long are you going to run away, you little brat? When you see Miss Yun later, will you use the same tactic?" Others chime in: "Neither of you is making sense; stop the commotion. We didn't come here to watch a monkey show!"

The young man seemed to have seen enough of this dispute and, unfazed, calmly said, "Why not let the two gentlemen have a match first, and please wait a moment, Mr. Li." Li Mian noticed that one of the contestants stepping onto the stage was a frail old man, around fifty or sixty years of age, with graying hair at the temples and a slight hunch. The other was a young man with a fair complexion, appearing to be just over twenty, tall and agile in stature. Li Mian thought to himself, "Competing against these two clumsy individuals would only lower my status." He took a step back.

The man sitting in the middle appeared to be in his forties or fifties, with a stout build, a ruddy complexion, and dressed in eye-catching, luxurious clothing. Behind him stood a servant, giving off the air of a wealthy magnate. To his right sat a young man, barely in his thirties, tall and well-built, with an impressive appearance. Although he had already consumed some alcohol, his eyes remained bright and spirited, clearly indicating that he was a shrewd and capable individual. On either side of them sat two or three young women, charming in demeanor, frequently urging them to drink.

However, Guan Ziqi faced two punches head-on, feeling equally helpless. Unless he sheathed his knife and leaped back, he would have to endure the blows. He hesitated in his heart, yet his hands did not stop. Just as the blade was about to slice into Zhao Kai, he suddenly awakened: "If I strike down with this knife and kill him, in front of so many witnesses, wouldn't I be facing a lawsuit? Taking a life means paying with one's own; at my age, do I really want to become a fugitive, living in exile?" Although he felt regret, it was too late to turn back.

The group of warblers and swallows became even more anxious; some quickly used all their means to keep people from leaving, while others hurriedly shouted: "Mom, Mom! Grandpa Han is leaving!"

The madam laughed and said, "In this Bianjing city, our Fan Tower is undoubtedly the largest. The girls we select are truly the cream of the crop, chosen from thousands and tens of thousands. Other places can only pick from what we have left. Uncle Han, you know this well, so why are you trying to go elsewhere? Isn't that going against the grain?" Fatty Han also laughed and replied, "Doesn't the madam know about the 'Qunfang Tower' that has recently stirred up a storm in the city?"

The staff of Freedom and Ease struck towards his lower back with fierce intent, aiming to injure him severely enough to draw blood, which would satisfy their desire. Little did they know that just as the wooden staff was about to make contact, a sudden flash of cold light shot forth, striking the staff with a resounding "bang." Freedom and Ease felt a numbness in their grip, and the staff nearly slipped from their hands. Following that, with a loud "thud," the tip of the staff hit the floor, creating a large hole, mere half a foot away from Li Mian's body.

The young man nodded, instructing someone to take out a stick of incense. After breaking off half of it, he lit it and found a prominent spot on the edge of the platform to insert it. He then declared loudly, "I wonder which hero in the audience will be the first to challenge Master Li? If no one steps onto the stage within the time it takes for this half stick of incense to burn, then Master Li shall be deemed the winner."

The madam at the other end called to the guests. Upon hearing that the God of Wealth was leaving, she thought to herself that this was unacceptable. This time, it was indeed the shortest stay for Fatty Han at the Fan Tower in many years, and needless to say, the money spent would also be less. Without further ado, she abandoned the guest beside her and immediately stepped forward to intercept him, smiling as she said: "Oh, Master Han, why are you leaving so early? Can't you let Peony accompany you for a little longer?"

The madam was quite indignant and said, "It's just a few people talking; it doesn't necessarily mean it's true. Moreover, I haven't heard any good reviews about this girl circulating; she might not live up to her reputation, and everyone could end up regretting it. Old Master Han, since you are so eager, why didn't you first investigate the truth of the matter?" Her words carried a hint of sarcasm.

The young man who had been striking the gong suddenly turned around and said to everyone: "Gentlemen, please rest assured, if the two heroes on stage are unable to determine a victor, when the time comes, Miss Yun will make the judgment." As he spoke, he pointed to the half-burnt incense beside the arena post.

Yan Huchen watched Li Mian leave, momentarily lost in thought. A young man from the ceremonial arena approached him and said, "Hero Yan, please come this way, Miss Yun is still waiting!" Yan Huchen came to his senses and replied, "Yes." After walking a few steps with the young man, he suddenly asked, "May I ask your surname, young brother?" The young man replied, "What surname? My surname is Zuo, just call me Little Zuo."

Everyone thought, this is great, that scoundrel has met his match. Unexpectedly, the attacker failed in his ambush, his skills were mediocre, and he didn't even have time to announce his name before he heard a loud "bang" and was sent flying high, accompanied by carefree laughter, disappearing behind the arena. Then, with a splash, he fell into the Cai River, just like Zhao Kai.

The young man with the surname Li smiled bitterly and said, "My physical strength declines year by year; this year it is simply not possible." Fat Han replied, "You are young and a martial artist; the more you practice, the deeper your skills become, and your strength only increases. How could your physical strength decline year by year?" He then turned to a young courtesan in a green robe and said, "Yinxing, you accompanied my brother Li for a whole night last night. How was it? How are the skills of the 'Five Tigers of Taihang'? They are indeed well-deserved of their reputation, right? Hahaha!" As he mentioned the word 'skills', he raised his eyebrows and emphasized his tone, hinting at something more. The girl named Yinxing's face flushed, and she playfully said, "Oh dear, I won't come again..." As she spoke, she secretly pinched the young man's waist and glanced at him, her eyes filled with infinite tenderness. The young man with the surname Li smiled bitterly and said, "Brother Han is just teasing..."

Li Mian was taken aback and thought to himself: "I am merely being polite to you; do you really think I am afraid of you?" He then said: "Master, we are here to spar in martial arts. The victor may have the opportunity to spend a night with Miss Yun. You are a monk, and I wonder..." The monk replied: "I am also here to visit the brothel."

These words made the young man with the surname Li feel a surge of curiosity. The other young women present, including the madam, also eagerly wanted to hear what the peculiar conditions were. Everyone knew that Fatty Han would surely continue speaking, so there was an unspoken understanding among them, and no one asked any questions.

Seeing that Guan Ziqi was directly targeting his vital points with extremely ruthless tactics, Zhao Kai felt a surge of anger. He turned the blade and struck at Guan Ziqi's hand with the hilt. At that moment, Zhao Kai, with his long-reaching arm, was taken aback to see that there was such a use for the knife in Guan Ziqi's hand. He initially intended to withdraw, but the distance between them was too close to evade. Resolutely, he took a step forward, continuing with the punch aimed at Guan Ziqi's chest, while his left hand followed suit, launching a simultaneous attack, a move that would lead to mutual destruction. Observing the situation unfold, several spectators with higher martial arts knowledge realized that Zhao Kai was in grave danger. One of them could not help but exclaim, "Guan, please show mercy..."

Seeing Yan Huchen's gaze upon her, Yunmeng already understood the situation, thinking to herself: "Another person blinded by desire." She did not find him any different from other men and smiled, saying: "Please do not be angry, it is all my fault. Although this act of Sir Yan is against the rules, it is out of a good intention to protect a young lady. How about this: I will speak on his behalf, considering him as a participant as well, would that be acceptable? However, if you do not agree, I cannot insist..." While expressing her gratitude to Yan Huchen, she also gently patted her own head.

Without further ado, Li Mian shared the same thoughts as everyone else. He considered that although the free-spirited wooden staff was formidable, his sixteen years of training were not in vain. As long as he gave it his all, the outcome was still uncertain. He clasped his fists and said, "In that case, I humbly request your guidance, Master"

In youth, I came to the capital with wine, wandering freely in a small abode; I watched the dance of the colorful garments and feathered attire, listening to the songs of the jade tree behind the garden flowers. The willows at the door droop over the vermilion curtains, while the window faces the cherry blossoms wrapped in green gauze; as a guest, I am half startled by the flowing water, our stars scattered across the horizon.

The young man explained to Li Mian: "Master Ziyou Zizai has also paid the fee to enter the competition, so if you do not oppose it, this match will be against the master." Upon hearing this, everyone felt that although the monk's martial arts were impressive, his appearance was far from commendable. They all hoped that Li Mian could defeat him, to spare such a delicate young lady from having to accompany this ugly brute.

In the blink of an eye, the two had hurriedly exchanged four or five dozen moves. The more they fought freely, the more they felt a sense of alarm, unable to relax at all. Suddenly, the style of the staff changed, and its power and force doubled, with the range of the staff wind gradually increasing. Yan Huchen was taken aback by this unexpected ability, but upon realizing the reason, he couldn't help but chuckle. It turned out that this free-spirited individual had, at some point, put away the iron bowl and was now wielding the staff with both hands, naturally doubling his strength compared to when he used just one hand.

The person continued, "There is nothing I can do about it. I have already intervened, so I hope you will forgive me." After observing his appearance clearly and feeling quite shaken, he snorted softly, turned his head away, and did not respond. Li Mian struggled to move forward, cupped his fists in salute, and said, "Thank you for saving my life. May I ask your esteemed name, so that I may repay your kindness in the future?" At this moment, Fatty Han had also come up on stage and supported Li Mian. The man replied, "You need not be so humble, and there is no need for Brother Li to repay me. However, it is not inappropriate to share my name with you. I am Yan Huchen, from Jizhou." Li Mian had never heard this name before, but still said, "So it is Yan Gong." Yan Huchen replied, "Not at all."

Suddenly, the sound of a gong echoed from the front, and a boy around fourteen or fifteen years old entered, striking a bronze gong. He walked up to the stage and stood still, then stopped the gong and said in a loud voice: "Thank you all for your patience. Today, a total of seven gentlemen have signed up to witness Miss Yun's grace..." Upon hearing this, the plump Han quickly took out two large gold ingots weighing ten taels each from his pocket and handed them to the attendant, saying: "This totals twenty taels; you and that young man on the stage can split ten taels between yourselves. Hurry and write down my brother Li's name, go quickly!" As he spoke, he pushed the attendant a little. The attendant, feeling helpless, went up to the stage but handed both gold ingots to the boy on the stage, whispering a few words in his ear before coming down.

As the situation escalated, a few composed individuals in the audience discerned that something was amiss and spoke up: "Master Guan, please remain calm. We are merely here for a woman; there is no need for this to turn into a vendetta among enemies." Another added, "Brother Zhao, do you not realize that Master Guan has been showing mercy at every turn? If you do not cease, your life may be in jeopardy. It is hardly worth losing your life over a courtesan."

The young man waited for a moment, and seeing that no one spoke, continued: "Therefore, Miss Yun has established a rule, which is that the gentlemen present today will first compete among themselves. The loser will be directly eliminated, while the winner will proceed to the next round, until only one person remains"

Upon hearing this, the stout man Han paused for a moment, then slowly began to speak: "So this young lady knows martial arts. Anyone wishing to spend a night with her must first surpass her in any form of martial arts or weaponry to earn that privilege. Furthermore, before any intimate encounter, in addition to a fee of one hundred taels of silver for the night, they must also teach her the technique by which they have bested her. Hahaha, my brother, although I engage in business that spans both the legitimate and the underworld, matters outside of this establishment have always been managed by you. I am not skilled enough to compete with her. Therefore, this wish must fall upon your shoulders. United in purpose, we brothers can achieve great things. If I have the money, I will contribute; if you have the strength, you will assist. At most, once the matter is accomplished, you can recount the details of that night to me. Just think, that martial arts practitioner is agile and may have countless tricks up her sleeve. If my brother, with his exceptional skills, can make her plead for mercy, wouldn’t that be quite the tale?" As he spoke, he beamed with delight and nudged the young man surnamed Li. The young women present, hearing his explicit remarks, covered their mouths and giggled.

At this moment, the crowd below finally reacted, clamoring and directing their ire towards the despicable and shameless actions. Moreover, his recent sneak attack, although partially blocked by the Yunmeng gang, still managed to tear the sweat towel on Yan Huchen's collar, leaving a thin line of blood. Yan Huchen felt a slight pain in his neck; although it was not serious, he could not help but feel furious. He casually tore off the towel and tossed it aside, pointing his sword in the air, and said: "I, Yan, am not talented, but I wish to experience your esteemed skills once more."

The two of them chatted nonsensically along the way, and before nightfall, they arrived outside the Qunfang Building. Originally, the Qunfang Building was just a small brothel, but ever since that young lady from Yangzhou arrived, it gained great fame and its business improved significantly. Although it still could not compare to the large-scale taverns and inns in Bianjing, such as Fan Lou, it had developed its own unique character.

The audience below grew increasingly impatient as the two continued their incessant bickering, and they began to voice their frustrations: "Come on! Come on! Words alone won't settle this; a fight will determine the winner!" "Are you up there to argue or to compete?" "Those who dare not fight should come down; don't embarrass yourselves up there!"

Zhao Kai, whether out of ignorance or feigned confusion, saw Guan Ziqi leave the stage and unexpectedly said to Li Mian: "Fortunately, Brother Li acted in time, allowing me to avoid injuring that old man Guan. It is best to determine the outcome without harming our relationship. Come, come, is the next match between Brother Li and me?"

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As Yan Huchen defeated everyone and obtained the opportunity to spar with Yun Meng, he could not help but show his delight and eagerly said, "Miss Yun, shall we spar now?" Yun Meng squinted her eyes and looked at him, half-smiling, and replied, "Why is Hero Yan in such a hurry?" She circled around him, observing him closely, and then said, "Hero Yan's Wind-Chasing Sword is formidable; I cannot break it. I wonder how many moves and techniques this renowned Wind-Chasing Swordplay consists of?"

Ziyou Zizai Dao: "You want to fight me empty-handed; you are not my match. Go fetch a weapon." Li Mian replied, "That is unnecessary." With a swift motion of his right palm, he reached for the tip of Ziyou Zizai's staff. Ziyou Zizai snorted, his five fingers moving, causing the staff's tip and tail to spin like a waterwheel, making a whirring sound.

It turns out that this Yan Huchen, nicknamed "Chasing Wind Sword," not only describes his swordsmanship as swift as a fierce wind, difficult to grasp, but the word "Chasing" also signifies his exceptional lightness of foot, making him a true marvel in the martial world. With such quick hands and feet, the synergy of these two extraordinary skills has established his foundation as one of the top masters in the martial arts community. In recent years, the martial world has even compared him to the well-known Xia Houyi, known as "Rain Flower Sword," who has been famous for over a decade, referring to them as "Southern Xia Hou, Northern Chasing Wind." As a result, everyone believes his name is Yan Chasing Wind, while his true name remains unknown.

Guan and Zhao both had their reservations, waiting for the other to relent first. As a result, their expectations were dashed, and the battle only intensified. Guan, being somewhat older, suddenly found himself using an old technique with his knife, which Zhao seized as an opportunity. Without hesitation, Zhao threw a punch directly at Guan's chest.

Although it was just nightfall, there were already some patrons in the Fan Tower who were thoroughly intoxicated, their minds in a haze. Near the eastern window, there was a table of drinkers who had been drinking since noon and still showed no signs of wanting to stop. However, referring to them as a table of drinkers is somewhat misleading, as only two male patrons were genuinely indulging in the wine, while the remaining five or six women were merely entertainers, coaxing and toasting.

The young man with the surname Li felt extremely awkward. He wanted to maintain a good relationship with these charming young ladies, yet he also wished to follow the chubby Han to see the new place he mentioned, leaving him at a loss for what to do. The chubby Han, in order to entertain the young man with the surname Li, was accommodating and, noticing his interest, understood that his guess was correct. He pulled the young man with the surname Li and said: "Let's go, let's go, settle the bill, settle the bill"

As soon as the door was closed, the sweet laughter of Yunmeng immediately echoed in the room. Xiao Zuo stood at the door, as if his feet were nailed to the ground, momentarily unsure of how to move. After a short while, Yunmeng's voice came from inside again, saying: "Xiao Zuo, are you not going yet?" Xiao Zuo replied: "Yes, I will go right away." Yunmeng continued: "Also, don't peek again!" Xiao Zuo felt as if he had received a slap on the face, suddenly realizing, and said: "Yes, yes, I won't dare to do it again in the future." He hurriedly went downstairs.

In conversation, Xiao Zuo led Yan Huchen to the last room at the end of the corridor, lightly knocking on the door, and said: "Miss Yun, the great hero Yan has arrived." After a pause, a voice from inside responded: "Xiao Zuo, please have someone prepare a basin of hot water. After I finish practicing with the great hero Yan, I would like to take a bath first." Upon hearing this, Yan Huchen's mind was filled with many alluring thoughts, causing his face to flush and his heart to race. Xiao Zuo replied, "Yes," opened the door to let Yan Huchen in, and then pulled the door back.

There were already a dozen or twenty people standing in front of the arena, seemingly all there to challenge this young lady

At this moment, everyone saw him finally draw his sword, and they all wanted to see how he would teach a lesson to the carefree one. Immediately, cheers erupted, resounding endlessly. Even Yunmeng, who had just requested not to escalate the situation, was quite curious to know if this person, known for his impressive martial arts, also possessed similar skills in swordsmanship, momentarily forgetting to voice any objections. The carefree one found himself in a difficult position, having provoked the crowd's anger, and felt extremely embarrassed. Suddenly, his eyes lit up as he noticed a large goose impaled in the spot where Yan Huchen had originally wrapped his scarf around his neck, reminding him of someone. Pointing at him, he exclaimed, "You, you are... Yan... Yan..." He repeated "Yan" twice but could not continue, his voice trembling involuntarily.

With a carefree "Oh," I turned to the windowsill, and indeed, the lady of the clouds was no longer there. At the same time, a gentle voice came from behind, saying: "Esteemed one, this humble girl is here!"

This sudden turn of events left the audience below at a loss for words, unsure whether to cheer or applaud. The martial skills of this disheveled monk remain unclear at this moment, but the abilities of Zhao Kai, who was thrown out, were witnessed by everyone just moments ago. He evaded the wild slashes of Guan Ziqi's ghostly blade, darting left and right with the agility of a monkey, making it difficult to catch him. Yet, this untidy monk managed to throw him out with just a wooden staff in the span of two moves, a feat that is undoubtedly hundreds of times more difficult than throwing someone by hand. He evaded the wild slashes of Guan Ziqi's ghostly blade, darting left and right with the agility of a monkey, making it difficult to catch him. Yet, this untidy monk managed to throw him out with just a wooden staff in the span of two moves, a feat that is undoubtedly hundreds of times more difficult than throwing someone by hand.

As soon as the words were spoken, someone in the audience remarked, "This is rather unfair. Everyone has already fought for a while and is utterly exhausted, while Miss Yun is taking advantage of the situation by conserving her energy." The young man replied, "All of you are heroes, and today is a rare occasion where we gather together in such a remarkable scene. However, if after today, some unworthy individuals, having practiced for just two years, wish to come up and seek a moment of favor from Miss Yun, and she receives them all, that would truly be taking advantage of everyone. Moreover, Miss Yun is a delicate young lady, and it is only right for a man to show some courtesy in a contest of strength and skill with a lady, allowing her a few moves, wouldn't you agree?" Although the young man said this, after today, if some unworthy individuals, having practiced for just two years, wish to come up and seek a moment of favor from Miss Yun, and she receives them all, that would truly be taking advantage of everyone. Moreover, Miss Yun is a delicate young lady, and it is only right for a man to show some courtesy in a contest of strength and skill with a lady, allowing her a few moves, wouldn't you agree?" Since the young man had said this, the crowd could not directly say he was wrong. Furthermore, the rules of the game were such; if anyone was unwilling, they could simply withdraw at once. The crowd whispered among themselves for a while, and the voices gradually subsided, with no significant objections raised.

How could Yan Huchen be easily dealt with by such a person? When Ziyou Zizai stealthily struck him, his reaction should not have been so slow. However, as the saying goes, a gentle place is a hero's grave. After Yan Huchen achieved victory with one strike, his thoughts immediately flew to Yunmeng, which is why he almost fell into Ziyou Zizai's trap. Yet, he was not one to pursue total annihilation; in front of Yunmeng, he wanted to present himself as a great hero. He pointed his long sword forward, advanced, and said, "Please take your time, let me escort you a bit." Ziyou Zizai was greatly alarmed, thinking that the phrase "escort you a bit" meant to send him on the road to the underworld. However, he was not one to pursue total annihilation either; in front of Yunmeng, he wanted to present himself as a great hero. He pointed his long sword forward, advanced, and said, "Please take your time, let me escort you a bit." Ziyou Zizai was greatly alarmed, thinking that the phrase "escort you a bit" meant to send him on the road to the underworld. How could he outrun the opponent's sword, named "Chasing Wind"? Without saying another word, he turned around and swung his staff towards Yan Huchen's head.

Li Mian, seeing that the controversy had subsided, said to Han Pangzi: "Brother, there is no difference between appearing first or last; let me take the lead!" Han Pangzi replied: "That's fine; at least in terms of confidence, you surpass everyone else present." Li Mian said: "Exactly." After saying this, he quickly stepped onto the stage, clasped his fists, and addressed the young man: "Li Mian is taking the stage."

Although the crowd saw that this person first opened his mouth to demonstrate and then used hidden weapons to injure others, his actions were essentially no different from a sneak attack. He freely provoked everyone, indeed wanting everyone to join in, so his sudden appearance on the scene was an attempt to take advantage of the situation. However, it could not be said that he was wrong. Moreover, everyone had a poor impression of this disheveled monk and thought, "Miss Yun can accompany anyone tonight, but she cannot accompany this disheveled monk." Therefore, no one raised any objections.

Yan Huchen then demanded that he strike back with his staff. As the tip of the sword turned and made contact, it precisely pressed down on the wooden staff. Feeling at ease, he suddenly sensed that Yan Huchen's sword seemed to possess a powerful adhesive force, attempting to pull his wooden staff away. Startled, he hurriedly exerted strength to reclaim it. Unexpectedly, just as he applied force, the opponent's adhesive power vanished without a trace, and all the force he exerted returned to him, causing his body to involuntarily fall backward.

As the saying goes, seeing the hunt brings joy. Yunmeng did not let up at all, leaning forward so much that her entire body almost pressed against Yan Huchen's arm. With her red lips slightly parted, she gently whispered in his ear: "I just don't believe that when the time comes, you will be able to part with... me..." By the end, her voice had turned into a soft murmur, as if she were gently breathing into his ear, exuding an unparalleled charm. After saying these words, she suddenly sprang back, retreating five or six feet, her garment fluttering as she turned and headed straight for the Qunfang Building.

The young man with the surname Li was submissive, yet his heart had long flown to the Pavilion of Blossoms. After the two settled the bill and took out the cash, the plump Han instructed his servant to return first, while he led the young man with the surname Li onward. On the way, Han said to the young man, "As for the matter of money, I will handle it for you, so there is no need to worry. You just need to give it your all; once you have bedded that woman, it will be considered as avenging me, haha." His words were lewd. The young man with the surname Li replied with a smile, "Elder brother, rest assured, I will certainly devote myself wholeheartedly and not rest until the task is completed."

However, Zhao Kai was still just a young man in his early twenties, while Guan Ziqi was several decades older than him and had practiced martial arts for many more years. The fact that he could not defeat Zhao Kai within a hundred moves had already brought him great shame. Moreover, he was armed while his opponent was empty-handed, which meant he was already at a slight advantage. The more he thought about this, the more anxious he became, and the heavier his strikes grew. Zhao Kai, being the primary target, felt immense pressure, and his punches became increasingly fierce. Eventually, if he showed even a hint of mercy, he feared it would lead to a fatal outcome, forcing him to fight for his life, unable to extricate himself from the situation.

The young man took the ingot and directly tucked it into his bosom, showing no particular expression. He then continued, "Now there are exactly eight people, which allows for pairs to be formed. It is getting late, so let us invite the last participant, Lord Li, to come up on stage. Who among you would like to offer the first lesson?"

The young man said: "It seems that all of you are here for the first time, so let me explain the rules once more. " After a pause, he continued: "Please consider, every day, Miss Yun has about ten heroes coming to challenge her, just like today. If we were to compete one by one, even a three-year-old child knows that the last one to take the stage has the greatest advantage. So who would be willing to take the lead? Everyone would defer to one another, and we could go on for three days and nights without finishing. So, is this business still worth pursuing?" He said: "Please consider, every day, Miss Yun has about ten heroes coming to challenge her, just like today. If we were to compete one by one, even a three-year-old child knows that the last one to take the stage has the greatest advantage. So who would be willing to take the lead? Everyone would defer to one another, and we could go on for three days and nights without finishing. So, is this business still worth pursuing?"

The stout man Han found it amusing, and amidst the laughter, he raised a glass of wine. Just as he was about to drink, he suddenly seemed to remember something, spilling the wine that was already at his lips. At the same time, he exclaimed, "That's right, that's right, I've thought of..." The young ladies on either side quickly took out handkerchiefs to wipe his chest.

Guan Ziqi was taken aback, and at that moment, Zhao Kai's fists arrived simultaneously. Guan Ziqi felt a wave of despair wash over him, and he inwardly exclaimed, "This is bad!" In the midst of the chaos, he could only take a deep breath, close his eyes, and then he heard someone say, "The two are sparring; it should be a friendly exchange. If someone gets hurt and the authorities are alerted, wouldn't that be a breach of decorum?" Expecting to feel the impact of a punch to his chest, he opened his eyes to find it was Li Mian, the first to take the stage, who was holding his ghost-headed knife in his right hand and blocking Zhao Kai's fists with his left, diffusing the awkward situation where both were on the verge of mutual injury.

Han the Fat said: "My brother Li has always felt that we cannot fully enjoy ourselves. Since we often come here, I will take him out to try something new." The madam quickly replied: "Why didn't you tell me earlier if you wanted to try something new? We just had a few new girls come in last month, and they haven't seen any guests yet. You can sit for a while longer, and I will call them out right away." Han the Fat hurriedly stopped her, saying: "Madam, you know I never enjoy this kind of thing. Bringing out a few who are crying and wailing is dull and tasteless; how can I have any interest in that? What I mean by something new is to go to another place."

As they witnessed the effortless dominance of Freedom, the mood of the crowd grew heavy. Before long, Freedom shouted, "Catch!" and another figure responded, only to fall into the river amidst a cacophony of cries. Now, on the stage, only Li Mian remained to face him alone. When Li Mian had assistance, he was still unable to secure victory; now that he was left to fend for himself, being thrown into the Cai River seemed inevitable. Nevertheless, despite this, Li Mian became increasingly courageous, showing no signs of retreat. The stout Han, while cheering for him from the sidelines, found himself powerless to help.

Guan Ziqi turned joy into anger and shouted: "You little brat, you haven't even grown all your hair yet, and you want to come to a brothel to solicit prostitutes. Before coming here, did you ask your mother at home?" Zhao Kai, unwilling to be outdone, retorted: "You old man, at your age, a toad wants to eat swan meat. Don't you even take a look at yourself in the mirror? You look like a monkey, and your back is as hunched as your knife. If Miss Yun were to accompany you, all the heroes present would probably vomit blood and die one by one! You truly infuriate me!"

The young man inquired about the names of the two individuals. One was an elder and the other a youth; one was surnamed Guan and the other Zhao. The young man sang loudly: "The first round is initiated by the Unmatched Divine Fist Zhao, against the Ghost Head Broadsword Guan!" As he spoke, he glanced at Miss Yun. The crowd followed his gaze and turned back to look at Miss Yun, who seemed to gently nod her head. Only then did the young man continue: "Gentlemen, please begin!" He then stepped back to the edge of the arena.

The stout man with the surname Han chuckled and said, "Since that is the case, why be polite with me? Are these young ladies not to your liking? I can have them all replaced." As soon as these words were spoken, the young women nearby immediately began to feign anger and act coy, while some quickly pleaded softly, seeking comfort and forgiveness, each displaying their own charm and allure, distinctly different from one another. Although the young man with the surname Li appeared quite formidable, he seemed at a loss when faced with feminine allure. As he watched the group of flirtatious women approach him softly, he could only resign himself to their whims. Among them, a woman filled a cup with wine and urged the young man with the surname Li to drink it.

With great freedom and anger, he said: "That is what you said." With a swift motion, the wooden staff was unleashed, completely enveloping Yan Hucheng's upper body. Yan Hucheng let out a loud shout: "Good!" His pair of powerful hands moved skillfully within the shadow of the staff, countering each move with ease, showing not the slightest sign of defeat, and even appearing to handle the situation with great composure.

The nickname "Ghost Head Dagger" given to Guan Ziqi was not derived from the weapon he wielded, but rather from his appearance, which resembled a ghost, with a hunchback that looked like a dagger. Due to the amusing nature of the nickname, it quickly spread among his friends. Guan Ziqi found it shameful, and since he could not kill all his friends, he decided to adopt the name Ghost Head Dagger, at least to divert others' attention. Unexpectedly, Zhao Kai, whom he met for the first time today, bluntly pointed out his sore spot, causing Guan Ziqi to erupt in anger. He shouted, "What... what did you say? If you have the guts, say it again!" Zhao Kai, with a playful grin, replied, "I can say it ten more times if you like..."

Xiao Zuo replied, "I am Miss Yun's person." Yan Huchen said, "I see." After a while, Xiao Zuo added, "Miss Yun is my elder sister." Yan Huchen remarked, "So, Miss Yun is actually Miss Zuo then." Xiao Zuo responded, "I don't know; it was she who saved my life, and she asked me to call her elder sister." Yan Huchen laughed and said, "That is true."

This thought passed through the free-spirited mind in an instant, yet I was unclear about the details of this Yunmeng. Even if there were plans, they would be in vain; I could only adapt to the situation and make further arrangements. I smiled and said, "At this moment, with so many people around, of course, I will call you Miss Yun. When we get to your room later, I can call you Meng'er then." I thought to myself, "Being able to share a bed with you is a beautiful dream that has come true."

Zhao Kai was taken aback, pointing at the large knife and shouting, "Hey, this is unfair! You have a weapon in your hand, while I am empty-handed. How can we fight?" Upon hearing this, the crowd erupted in laughter. Guan Ziqi grinned and said, "You might as well surrender early; then I won't have to fight you." Zhao Kai replied, "Surrender my foot! You come on stage with a big knife, and after defeating me, are you going to use that knife to attack Miss Yun? What a foolish old man to be so rude to a lady, utterly ridiculous! Both stupid and old, and still daring to come on stage!" When the crowd heard him say this, they found it reasonable. However, it was clearly stated in the rules set by the Qunfang Building that one could use 'swords, knives, fists, or feet' to compete, so bringing a weapon on stage was not wrong.

Among the men present, except for the young boy, everyone felt their bones weaken at the sound of this. Freed from the pain on his nose, he thought: "How can I spar with such a delicate young lady using a wooden staff? If I accidentally hurt her, wouldn't that be heartbreaking? Considering those who have challenged before, their martial arts skills might not necessarily be inferior to hers; it is merely that they have shown her leniency, overly cherishing her beauty. Otherwise, how could a frail woman have the capability to challenge the heroes of the martial world here?" His thoughts contained some truth, yet another part of him believed that all men in the world must be as lustful as he was, unaware that many renowned heroes valued their reputations and would never stoop to seeking pleasure in brothels. Among them, there were certainly those more devoted to the pursuit of fame and fortune, viewing women merely as trophies.

At this moment, the four individuals were engaged in a fierce battle, causing the wooden arena to sway precariously. The young man standing below the stage seemed quite accustomed to such scenes, his face displaying a calm and composed demeanor that was rather incongruous with his age. However, he could often be seen glancing towards the windowsill, waiting for Miss Yun to provide him with further instructions; apart from that, he appeared entirely indifferent to the unfolding events.

Yunmeng was overjoyed, and Yan Huchen also expressed his delight, saying: "In that case, please grant your guidance, esteemed one." Ziyou Zizai coldly replied: "Well said, well said." He took a stance, thinking to himself: "This is what you brought upon yourself; even if I have to make you kneel and beg for mercy today, I will not relent." He quietly gathered his internal energy, accumulating it bit by bit, preparing to catch the opponent off guard from the very beginning. The crowd on the stage hurriedly moved aside, and Li Mian paid the full amount on behalf of Yan Huchen, completing the necessary formalities.

This is the first time Yan Huchen has stepped into a brothel. He smiled awkwardly, unsure of how to respond. The young man, Xiao Zuo, interjected, "Mother, wait until I settle Yan the Hero before coming to collect the silver." The old madam beamed with delight and chuckled, "No hurry, no hurry!" Xiao Zuo ignored her and led Yan Huchen upstairs. Seeing the way he spoke to the old madam, Yan Huchen wondered, "Little brother, are you not from the Qunfang Building?"

His mind was dull, and he always acted first and thought later. In his haste, he could not think at all, and he muttered to himself, "Well then!" Suddenly, he heard a gasp from the crowd below, and in front of him, a figure flickered. His hand felt light, and the ghost-headed knife in his grasp unexpectedly slipped from his hand, having been seized by that figure.

Laughter echoed freely, as someone shouted: "Come on, come again! Throw all of you into the river to feed the turtles!" Li Mian seized this opportunity to catch his breath and climbed back up. At the same time, people jumped onto the arena from both sides, one of whom said: "Throw this foul-smelling, arrogant, disheveled monk out, let him taste the flavor of the Cai River." A punch was thrown at Ziyou Zizai. Unaware of his opponent's strength, Ziyou Zizai did not dare to be overly confident and crossed his wooden staff. With a loud 'bang', the staff and fist collided, causing the opponent to step back and exclaim: "Good fellow!"

The attendant led the two individuals to a vacant area and then asked, "May I inquire which of you gentlemen will be taking the stage? Or will both of you be going up?" The stout man replied, "Only my brother here will take the stage." The attendant responded, "Understood." He then turned to the young man with the surname Li and asked, "May I ask your esteemed name, sir? I need to report it up." The young man with the surname Li replied, "My name is Li Mian." The attendant said, "So it is Master Li. I sincerely apologize, but I must first collect ten taels of silver from Master Li." Li Mian was taken aback and looked at the stout man.

At the moment when the acupoint of freedom was sealed, despair engulfed him. He thought of the "Dazhui acupoint," which is a major acupoint in the human body. He underestimated his opponent, failing to comprehend how Yan Huchen would deal with him next. While he was still feeling anxious and uneasy, he was taken aback when Yan Huchen unexpectedly released his acupoint. Although he was freed from great peril, he realized it was due to the mercy of his opponent. Feeling utterly humiliated and enraged, he suddenly harbored murderous intent. Taking advantage of Yan Huchen's intoxication in the crowd's applause and his indulgence in the taste of victory, he turned to look at Yunmeng, relaxing his guard. He swiftly opened the end of his staff, revealing a half-foot-long blade, transforming the wooden staff into a short spear, and silently stabbed towards the back of Yan Huchen's neck.

The young man continued, "Although this gentleman is willing, we do not know if the other co-winners are agreeable. Do the heroes who just laughed also support such an approach?" The young man's expression remained impassive, making it difficult to discern his emotions. Among the crowd, some thought, "Perhaps this remark has already displeased Miss Yun. If I were to echo his words in hopes of seeing her, it would only make it more difficult." However, the vast majority thought, "What this young man said makes sense. Who would want to share a bed with Miss Yun alongside other men? Even if they take turns, who would want to be the one left behind?" Thus, while the crowd found the situation amusing, no one spoke up.

In the midst of a four-person melee, a sudden exclamation was heard, and another figure flew off the stage, heading straight for Cai He. As the crowd focused their eyes on the three individuals on stage, the one who remained carefree and unrestrained inevitably caused a sense of frustration among all present. He could only laugh heartily and arrogantly declare, "Isn't there still one more? If he doesn't come up now, there won't be another chance!" The audience looked at each other, unable to find today's eighth contestant. Perhaps, seeing the formidable skills of that carefree individual, the eighth contestant had the foresight to leave early? He could only laugh heartily and arrogantly declare, "Isn't there still one more? If he doesn't come up now, there won't be another chance!" The audience looked at each other, unable to find today's eighth contestant. Perhaps, seeing the formidable skills of that carefree individual, the eighth contestant had the foresight to leave early?