Chapter 8, Human Skin Masks

Ren Piaoping turned around and asked, "Don't you think this fragrance is very familiar?"

Ren Piaoping was indeed tired, and tonight, he would rest here, in the place where the woman he had longed for over the past eight years had once rested. He lay down on the pillow that this woman had used, covered himself with the blanket she had once covered, and fell asleep, surrounded by the faint fragrance of orchids.

The woman seemed momentarily at a loss for words, unsure of what to say. Just as she was deep in thought, Ren Piaoping made her move. It was an utterly ordinary strike, no, it could hardly be considered a technique at all; it was merely a common grab used by women in street fights, a grab aimed at the opponent's face. The face of the woman, which resembled that of a monk, was already caught in Ren Piaoping's grasp. The woman was taken aback, as if she had encountered a ghost. She was clearly able to evade that exceedingly ordinary grab, yet she felt a gust of wind sweep across her cheek, and suddenly her face turned cold. She realized that the mask on her face had been snatched away by Ren Piaoping's utterly ordinary grab.

The next day, at the "Drunkenly Embroidering the Universe" tavern

Jade Hibiscus saw Ren Piaoping and Master Shede engaged in a fierce battle, and for a moment, she did not know the reason behind it, so she could only quietly observe the fight, thinking that this fellow had come at a most inopportune time

Ren Piaoping knew that trouble was coming again. He had never been someone who feared trouble, but today he truly did not want to cause any, as he had too many things to do. Therefore, Ren Piaoping decided to slip away; for him, slipping away was not something to be ashamed of. However, he suddenly realized that today he could not escape, no matter what, simply because these three individuals had blocked all the paths.

The woman lowered her head to take a look, let out a delicate cry, and without bothering to properly fasten her monk's robe, she brandished her fish intestine sword, launching seven strikes towards Ren Piaoping. The swordplay was graceful and the technique rigorous, clearly employing the Wudang school's 'Qingfeng Liangyi Sword.' At the same time, she scolded angrily, "Shameless! Despicable scoundrel! I thought you were a dignified gentleman." Although her sword moves were fierce, her voice was exceptionally pleasant.

Ren Piaoping calmly said from the sidelines: "Friend, why are you pretending to be Master Shede?"

The wind was astonished, as a set of Liu-style "Man Jiang Hong" slowly unfolded under his judge's pen

At this moment, the wind is boundless, and the drifting duckweed has no way to go. With a chuckle, he said: "Hero Ren, have you found our young lady?"

Thinking of asking a friend to persuade the monk to come down from the mountain, now the monk, even if he does not die, will inevitably suffer the pain of having his face skinned. Looking at the monk's face before her, Piao Ping could not help but feel an overwhelming sense of guilt. Perhaps she had underestimated Yu Furong too much, or perhaps both she and Yu Furong had been unknowingly trapped in the drum by the enemy.

Ren Piaoping sat alone once again at the table by the window on the second floor, the same table he had occupied last time. Unlike the previous occasion, this time there were four sets of bowls and chopsticks placed on the table. He was waiting, waiting for Liu Rujun, Chang Xiaoyu, and Ziyun.

As Ren Piaoping realized that she could not do anything about her opponent for the moment and had lost the will to continue fighting, she skillfully channeled her internal energy in an instant, reversing the spin. The monk's robe, which had originally wrapped tightly around the monk's body in the same direction, suddenly unraveled as the direction of force changed, revealing the faint pink bodysuit worn by a woman underneath. It also exposed the woman's alluring and devilishly attractive figure. This body belonged to a woman, while the monk's face remained that of a monk, creating a rather comical and absurd sight at first glance. The faint pink bodysuit worn by the woman was revealed, along with her enchanting and seductive figure, which belonged to a woman, while the monk's face still belonged to a monk, making it quite a ridiculous and laughable scene at first glance

However, the monk did not speak

Ren Piaoping remained lost in thought, while Yu Furong, who was nearby, felt a surge of anger upon seeing him. She walked up to his side and scolded, "Young Master, is it not very fragrant?"

Ren Piaoping somehow easily evaded the extremely fierce killing move of Feng Wujì, and Ren Piaoping did not retaliate. He had developed a habit of only taking action after his opponent had exhausted all their most refined techniques

Ren Piaoping replied softly, "Then tell me what I should do now"

Ren Piaoping suddenly burst into laughter, and Yu Furong, not knowing why, also chuckled softly, causing the monk Shede to feel quite uncomfortable. Thus, the monk Shede, puzzled, asked, "What are you laughing at?" Ren Piaoping seemed unable to contain herself even more, laughing even harder, pointing at the monk's robe and saying, "Just look at your appearance, hahahaha..." and continued to laugh uncontrollably.

In this spiral energy field, the monk Shede suddenly felt an overwhelming sense of pressure bearing down on him, causing shortness of breath. He immediately began to channel his energy to resist it, but Ren Piaoping's movements were too swift. He could not discern which of the figures before him was the real Ren Piaoping and which was an illusion. Though he held the sword in his hand, he did not know where to strike. If he were to rashly attack and miss, it was certain that Ren Piaoping would deliver a heavy blow in return. Thus, he could only stand still, responding to the myriad changes with steadfastness. He could not discern which of the figures before him was the real Ren Piaoping and which was an illusion. Though he held the sword in his hand, he did not know where to strike. If he were to rashly attack and miss, it was certain that Ren Piaoping would deliver a heavy blow in return. Thus, he could only stand still, responding to the myriad changes with steadfastness.

However, before Ren Piaoping could see her face, the woman had already leaped into the air, leaving a faint trace of her fragrance lingering in the air, along with her voice filled with shame and resentment: "Ren Piaoping, you despicable person, I will not let you off..."

Yu Furong looked at Ren Piaoping, knowing how much pain he was feeling at that moment, and she understood the guilt he carried in his heart. However, she also knew that some men do not require comfort; like a wounded lion, they need solitude. At this moment, what he needed most was also solitude

Ren Piaoping is certainly not a ghost; it is just that his speed of action is too swift. After he executed that move, the woman's evasive action had only just begun.

Ren Piaoping could only smile bitterly, realizing that those two old men were far more troublesome than Feng Wujie, though he could not recall who they were at that moment. The Iron-faced Judge Feng Wujie remembered well that eight years ago, it was Ren Piaoping's theft of eight million taels of silver in the capital that caused him to lose his official position. Moreover, just a few days ago, Ren Piaoping had humiliated him in the Zhen Tian Gang, causing him to lose face. This time, his subordinate had informed him that Ren Piaoping was drinking alone in a tavern, so he reported to Zhao Hongyun, who received approval to confront Ren Piaoping. Zhao Hongyun had known since the day Ouyang Xiaodie married him that Ren Piaoping held a significance in Ouyang Xiaodie's heart that he could never reach. However, he believed that as long as Ouyang Xiaodie married him, his family background, reputation, character, and martial arts would eventually replace Ren Piaoping. Yet, from that day on, a resounding name "Within Reach, Yet Far Away" spread throughout the rivers and lakes, and at the same time, Ouyang Xiaodie's feelings for Ren Piaoping grew even stronger. Today, Zhao Hongyun seized this opportunity to test the depth of Ren Piaoping's martial arts, and feeling uneasy, he also dispatched two of his trusted subordinates to provide support.

But how could this be possible? After saying this, she murmured to herself again

Ren Piaoping was utterly astonished, her breathing rapid, and she asked, "How did you come to know this?"

It is already noon, and the number of people in the restaurant has increased. The sounds of playing dice and toasting rise and fall in succession. The people from the north are relatively hearty, drinking from large bowls and eating meat in big bites. Occasionally, someone hums a segment of "Mulan," while a few troublemakers can be heard cursing loudly.

The wind, seeing that Ren Piaoping was so easy to bully, became even more pleased and arrogantly shouted, "You should now return with us to the Zhen Tian Gang and confess your crimes." After saying this, it seemed as if the pent-up frustration in its chest was released, and it laughed heartily.

Yu Furong has quietly departed, yet Ren Piaoping still remembers the words Yu Furong said before leaving: I know you still harbor doubts about me, and there are many questions you wish to ask. It is late today, but I will certainly tell you everything tomorrow

In his heart, Feng Wujì believed that Ren Piaoping was merely skilled in lightness techniques, yet lacked any substantial abilities. Therefore, on the way here, he informed the two elders to focus solely on blocking Ren Piaoping's escape route, while leaving everything else to him.

At this moment, Yu Furong finally understood that the monk Shede was no longer the monk Shede.

Ren Piaoping truly found it unamusing and helplessly said, "What if I do not go?"

Even the nearby Jade Hibiscus could not understand why the most ordinary move became so incredible in Ren Piaoping's hands. Could it be that he truly possesses the ability to transform the mundane into the miraculous

The monk Shede suddenly halted his retreating figure, turning to charge at Ren Piaoping. In his hand, he had already drawn a Fish Intestine Sword, its momentum like a rainbow, thrusting directly towards Ren Piaoping's outstretched palm. However, Ren Piaoping's form transformed into a spinning top, whirling rapidly. The rotating figure had completely surrounded the monk Shede, and from a distance, it appeared under the moonlight as if a silver dragon was dancing gracefully in the sky, a truly beautiful sight

The wind roared like an enraged tiger, laughing maniacally: "I fear it is not up to you, child." A pair of judge's pens had already inscribed a large character for "kill" in cursive in the air.

Yu Furong continued, "My uncle has a good friend known as 'Qian Ji Bian' Nangong Kai, whom you must be familiar with. When I was young, he often came to my uncle's house to drink. Seeing that I was well-behaved, he imparted to me his unparalleled disguise technique, which included discussions about this extraordinary yet extremely cruel human skin mask. The production of this human skin mask must be obtained from the face of a living person or from the face of a deceased person whose time of death does not exceed ten hours. It must then be treated with a special potion, soaked and dried before it can be used. The greatest advantage of this mask is that it can breathe, allowing the user to wear it on their face for an extended period."

The three individuals are now standing before Ren Piaoping: Feng Wujì, the Iron-faced Judge and protector elder of the Zhen Tian Gang, along with two unfamiliar elderly men with prominent temples.

The two returned to the cabin, and under the light, Ren Piaoping laid the mask of the monk Shede flat on the table. The craftsmanship of the mask was extraordinarily exquisite, with even the pores on the face and the wrinkles at the corners of the eyes clearly visible. Ren Piaoping could not help but show a look of admiration and said, "I never expected that there are people in the world who can create a mask so lifelike and ingeniously crafted!" However, Yu Furong's expression was serious as she spoke word by word, "It is only because that is actually the face of the monk Shede."

Ren Piaoping had already finished a pot of wine, and the three people he was waiting for had yet to arrive, but three individuals he did not wish to see had come instead

... ...

The wind seems to be boundless, and with a cold smile, he said: "Since nothing has been found, how can one still have the mood to drink here"

In that fleeting moment, the woman became the Seven Swords. In an instant, the sky was filled with a dance of swords, and her sword techniques changed once more, the sword light flashing fiercely, revealing the Shaolin's Dharma Sword Technique. After exhausting the Seven Swords, Ren Piaoping retreated seven steps, yet still stood before her as if she had not moved at all. The woman seemed taken aback, her heart shaken. She could not believe that there existed someone in this world who could remain unscathed and not retaliate under these two sword techniques. It seemed she suddenly recalled a saying by the monk Shede: "The martial arts of the practitioner become weaker when faced with the weak, yet stronger when faced with the strong. No one knows the depth of his martial arts, and he has never suffered defeat since his debut." The woman seemed taken aback, her heart shaken. She could not believe that there existed someone in this world who could remain unscathed and not retaliate under these two sword techniques. It seemed she suddenly recalled a saying by the monk Shede: "The martial arts of the practitioner become weaker when faced with the weak, yet stronger when faced with the strong. No one knows the depth of his martial arts, and he has never suffered defeat since his debut."

Ren Piaoping was momentarily hesitant to act rashly, as he was well aware that his rapid spinning required considerable effort. He initially intended to subdue his opponent in one swift move, but given the current situation, it was clear that this would not be an easy task. He had not anticipated that the opponent's skill was actually on par with that of the true Shide monk.

Yu Furong looked at Ren Piaoping with pride and said, "Don't forget, I am also a master in this field." She thought to herself, finally there is something you do not know.

Ren Piaoping replied: "No."

Suddenly, the monk felt that the strong aura had vanished without a trace. He saw Ren Piaoping standing three zhang away, quietly smiling at him. Her white scholar's robe appeared exceptionally enchanting under the gentle breeze and captivating moonlight, making him think no wonder Ouyang Xiaodie could not forget her.

The bright moon still hangs high in the starry night sky, the unknown insects continue to sing joyfully, and the beauty remains as enchanting as ever. However, at this moment, Ren Piaoping is completely disinterested, for her heart is in turmoil

Ren Piaoping certainly knew that Qianjibian's Nangong Kai was the foremost master of disguise in the world. However, upon hearing about the matter of the human skin mask, she couldn't help but feel it was astonishing. Looking at Yu Furong speaking eloquently, she felt somewhat ashamed and couldn't help but admire the beauty before her a little more.

Yu Furong was inherently intelligent and perceptive; as soon as the words of Piao Ping were spoken, she realized that she had been mistaken. She couldn't help but feel a bit embarrassed, then took a deep breath and exclaimed: "Sister Ouyang, yes, it must be the scent from Sister Ouyang."

Ren Piaoping smiled faintly and said, "I am not a despicable person, for I never resort to kidnapping others to engage in unsavory activities"

Ren Piaoping was also pondering, as the height and figure of that woman were quite similar to Xiaodie, and even her voice was so alike. He seemed at a loss as to how to think. After all, he had not seen Ouyang Xiaodie for eight years; time is the most formidable weapon in this world, capable of changing everything. ... Could it be ... . ... Ren Piaoping dared not think further, nor did he wish to.

Ren Piaoping suddenly felt that the fragrance emanating from the woman was so familiar; it was a subtle scent of orchids. Could it not be the unique fragrance that belonged to Xiao Die?