Chapter 1, The road is uneven
Compared to the time when she was completely in the dark, when even the identities of the living and the dead had to be explained to Zhou Fei by Shen Tianshu, Li Yan, this "informant," clearly had more insight. She eagerly said, "I know! I heard that the Lord of Xuanwu is named 'Ding Kui,' and he is quite a scoundrel. Sister, he even claimed that he wants to seek revenge on you for the Lord of Qinglong!"
Zhou Fei and Wu Chuchu exchanged a glance—Xie Yun had mentioned that "Mr. Bai" is his cousin. Xie Yun is the nephew of Emperor Jian Yuan, so his cousin must be the son of the emperor's old son
Zhou Fei was afraid that if she spoke too much, Wu Chuchu would become even more worried, so she replied briefly: "It's nothing, there are no experts like Zheng Luosheng."
He is wrapped in a cotton-padded jacket heading south, could it be that he is merely going to bask in the sun
Yang Jin remained silent, his pair of eyes shining like lit lanterns, illuminating a distance of at least ten miles, staring unblinkingly at Zhou Fei's knife—though only a few months had passed, he felt that Zhou Fei's knife had not made rapid progress, yet it exuded a certain inscrutable aura.
One should not take advantage of cheapness. With Yang Jin, who was clearly a gullible person with "Come and take advantage of me" written all over him, in front of her, Zhou Fei suddenly had an idea. She improvised and exaggerated the story of Kou Dan rebelling against the Forty-Eight Villages for the sake of "Sea and Sky in One Color," and also incorporated the old grievances between the Azure Dragon Lord and the Mountain River Sword, weaving them all together to create a mysterious grand vision for Yang Jin.
The leader of the Xuanwu faction waved his hand, and the black-clad individuals at the three tables all stood up, each wearing spiked gloves. The leader let out a cold smile, and the black-clad men surged forward, engaging in a fight with the bodyguards of the Xingnan Escort Agency. The entire staircase instantly became a battleground, and the few tables of onlookers at the staircase entrance fled in panic, while neither the shopkeeper nor the waiter dared to step forward to intervene.
Miss Wu returned to her courtyard and left a heartfelt letter for Li Dajiang, then followed Zhou Fei.
The black-clad man from the Xuanwu Sect revealed his hands, and it was evident that a faint light glimmered across them. He wore an extremely thin pair of gloves, with the palms covered in tiny, nearly invisible spikes that could easily penetrate fabric and leave a poisoned mark on human flesh. This device, when compared to the Poison Palm technique, was indeed a lesser path—after all, the Poison Palm required one to refine the poison and cultivate deep internal energy. How much simpler this was! One could think of the Azure Dragon Master, Zheng Luosheng, who was also a well-known expert, displaying a myriad of tricks in combat, his skills a hodgepodge of various techniques, not unlike a performer of acrobatics. This device, when compared to the Poison Palm, was indeed a lesser path—after all, the Poison Palm required one to refine the poison and cultivate deep internal energy. How much simpler this was! One could think of the Azure Dragon Master, Zheng Luosheng, who was also a well-known expert, displaying a myriad of tricks in combat, his skills a hodgepodge of various techniques, not unlike a performer of acrobatics. The 'convenience' of the Poison Palm of the black-clad man from the Xuanwu Sect was similarly effective.
Li Yan stuck out her tongue, not daring to bring it up again. She turned to Wu Chuchu and said: "It's fine, once you have practiced the martial arts mantra you taught me, we won't be afraid of anyone."
After he finished speaking, he suddenly did not even greet anyone, and with a flash of movement, he had already leaped to the corner of the second floor. He reached out to grab the flagpole that bore the two characters "兴南" and continued to speak, "Even if your martial arts are mediocre, you are still blind. Haha, what do you need this flag for? Just hand it over to me!"
Zhang Chenfei is too young. Although their team often roams the world, most of their tasks are merely errands. Li Jinrong would not knowingly send disciples to their deaths, aware that the Wu family possesses something deadly.
The young master of the escort agency went out for the first time, feeling momentarily kind-hearted, without considering the long-term implications, and was momentarily taken aback.
You would never guess what 'Sea and Sky in One Color' is, Zhou Fei said mysteriously to Yang Jin. "Prince Duan—the one from the south—told me that 'Sea and Sky in One Color' is actually an inheritance, containing countless relics from sects that have fallen apart due to natural disasters or man-made calamities, including the Great Medicine Valley. My Master Uncle Yu's 'Return to Yang Pill' comes from this. Besides the Great Medicine Valley, other sects' martial arts manuals are naturally all included. Just think of the sword of the Mountain and River Sword, and then think of my grandfather's knife... Isn't it somewhat like a collection of the strengths of various families, a culmination of their achievements? Unfortunately, Prince Duan ran off before finishing his words. If I want to investigate further, I must first find him.
The innkeeper forced a smile but did not reach out to take the money. Instead, he said to the young man: "Thank you, young master—it's not that I do not appreciate your kindness, but since you and your companions are merely passing through, it is unlikely that you will be here often. Today, you have shown compassion towards them, but in a few days when you leave, who will they turn to? If they come back, they will still have to go hungry. It would be better to urge them to find a way to make a living; this battle is still long, just beginning, and it is far from over."
Zhou Fei was at a loss for words, unable to articulate her thoughts to a man from the southern frontier who was filled with the belief that he could conquer the world without rivals
Zhou Fei hesitated and did not express her stance, after all, Xie Yun might not necessarily go to Yongzhou. She only wanted to find someone and had no interest in getting involved with Huo Liantao in stirring up trouble
Li Sheng turned the wooden invitation card over and observed it for a moment, then said: "Yongzhou, the first month—based on our deduction, Young Master Xie has gone south, and isn't Yongzhou also in that direction? What do you think, is it possible that he has gone that way?"
With Li Yan's loud presence, their movements could not escape Li Sheng's notice. Li Sheng was unable to put aside his concerns for the old Taoist priest Chong Yunzi, who had taught him for several months. He did not wish to remain sheltered under the wings of his elders, pretending to be extraordinary. He had been entrusted by Chong Yunzi to convey a message, and now that the message had been delivered, seeing that the Forty-Eighth Stronghold was under the command of Li Jinrong and the Southern Dynasty's army was stationed there, he found himself no longer needed and thus decided to descend the mountain.
As soon as these words were spoken, the remaining three people at the table were astonished
Four or five black-clad members of the Xuanwu sect retracted the small daggers in their hands and seized the girl's limbs. The front of her garment tore open, revealing her snow-white undergarment and skin. She struggled like a live fish, yet could not break free no matter what. She cursed until her voice was hoarse, and all the blood rushed to her head, wishing she could bite her tongue and die on the spot
Yang Jin straightened her back and corrected earnestly, "It is a challenge"
The person who has arrived is none other than Zhou Fei and her companions
Zhou Fei severed four arms with a single strike, which was truly shocking. Coupled with an enraged Li Sheng, the two intervened, causing the battle situation to tilt like a scale with a weight added to one end. The leader of the Xuanwu Sect let out a sharp whistle, ordering a halt, and warily stared at Zhou Fei and Li Sheng, saying: "Who dares to meddle in the affairs of the Living and Dead Mountain?"
Zhou Fei put down her chopsticks. Li Yan, who had been distractedly paying attention to the battle situation, thought she was urging her on and hurriedly lowered her head to pretend to eat. Little did she know that at the moment she looked down, a corner of clothing suddenly flashed before her eyes. Li Yan was startled and raised her head, only to find that both Li Sheng, who had just scolded her, and Zhou Fei had unexpectedly left their seats!
At that moment, she heard a faint sound, and then the hand that was holding hers suddenly loosened. She lost all support and fell from the air, yet she did not touch the ground—something had caught her.
Li Sheng automatically regarded it as a provocation, feeling extremely indignant. With a dark expression, he turned around to confront the black-clad members of the Xuanwu Sect, who were ruthlessly eliminating the escorting bodyguards, and unleashed all his pent-up anger.
Zhou Fei absentmindedly picked up a cup of hot water and brought it to her lips, inexplicably recalling a sentence that Xie Yun had said to her that day at the foot of Mount Forty-Eight.
The bustling streets were filled with a constant flow of people, shoulder to shoulder. After decades of accumulation, a sudden chaos led to fragmentation, akin to a porcelain vase shattering upon hitting the ground. The landscape, near and far, was desolate. The old storyteller began with a hoarse voice, which sounded like rusted iron scraping against broken porcelain. The inn fell silent, with only the heavy sigh of the old storyteller breaking the stillness. He looked up and surveyed the room, then struck the wooden table with force, producing a sharp crack.
Yang Jin was left dumbfounded, automatically filtering out other words, leaving only a few terms: "classics ... ... my grandfather's knife ... ... a culmination of achievements"
The leading figure in black remained silent, indifferently passing by him and heading straight into the shop, occupying three tables. For a moment, it seemed that the space in the two-story building facing the street was insufficient. In one corner, the members of the "Xingnan Escort Agency" exchanged cautious glances, and several men stood up to protect the pair of siblings in the middle
Li Sheng inquired, "How about it? Shall we go to Yongzhou for a visit? The people from the Xingnan Escort Agency can take us there"
Zhou Fei's nonsense cannot even fool Li Yan, and it is probably only enough to deceive Yang Jin. As for Yang Jin, it is said that rumors are circulating in the martial world about a "Southern Sword Heir," with no clarity on whether the person is male or female, old or young. Driven by impulsive enthusiasm, Yang Jin came seeking a challenge, and cannot be measured by common sense. Upon hearing the word "sword," this person’s ears could grow two inches on the spot. After Zhou Fei's embellishments, Yang Jin was immediately filled with longing for "Sea and Sky in One Color" and was led astray by her down the mountain.
The young man must be a young master who knows nothing of hardship. Suddenly, he spoke up, and the several attendants beside him were unable to stop him in time, only able to look at him disapprovingly.
Zhou Fei's eyelids twitched, and for a moment, Xie Yun's exceptionally cold hand, along with Cao Ning's vague remark from the front lines, "Are you courting death?", hurriedly flashed before her eyes. She quickly inquired, "Which way did they go?"
Perhaps it was because she had just been too fierce and intimidating when dealing with the people from the Living and Dead Mountain, that the group of bodyguards from the Xingnan Escort Agency dared not approach her to speak, instead turning to Li Cheng. Li Cheng was a "bully in his own territory," showing no pretense to his own people, but acting as a hypocrite in front of outsiders. In just a few words, he managed to engage in conversation with them, and it took him about the time of a meal to return.
The young man appeared unwell, his face showing signs of illness, and he occasionally coughed a few times, leaving one to wonder whether he was injured or ill. He glanced towards the door, seemingly reluctant, and then called to the waiter, taking out some small silver coins, saying: "Even if others do not care, those old, weak, women, and children are quite pitiful; at the very least, let us give them some food, and charge it to my account."
The young girl frowned and said, "Brother!"
Wu Chuchu first nodded, indicating that both Zhou Fei and Li Sheng's speculations were reasonable. She then shook her head and tapped the wooden invitation on the table, signaling them to get to the point and not to speculate on the schemes of those prominent figures. The three of them exchanged glances for a moment and understood each other's intentions, and for a time, they all tacitly fell silent, leaving only Yang Jin and Li Yan staring at each other in confusion.
After several years apart, Zhou Yitang's words still linger in my ears—"Choosing and letting go is the way of the strong"
The crowd had no other choice but to express their gratitude and send away the shop assistant who had been helping them.
It is evident that the living and the dead on the mountain are truly a continuous lineage from top to bottom, unworthy of being presented on the stage
Returning to the subject of Huo Liantao, Li Sheng remarked, Huo Liantao is a person of deep scheming, very adept at self-promotion and wielding power through others. However, the situation with Haitianyise is different; he cannot be foolish enough to display something that could incriminate him, knowing full well its implications. This ripple effect is likely a token commonly used by the lord of Huo Family Fortress, which Huo Liantao, unaware of the underlying circumstances, has mistaken for a credential to replace the old lord of the fortress.
There is a sword in the mountains and rivers, " Zhou Fei recalled what Kou Dan had said by the banks of the Ximo River, and added, " My mother... no, according to the timeline, it should be that my grandfather also has one. The Yuyi troupe is not clear about it, but I believe Madam Nishang is very likely to know some inside information about the harmony of sea and sky. Master Yu does not have it; otherwise, Kou Dan would have definitely obtained it, but it seems that he also knows the inside story.
Li Sheng furrowed his brow and asked, "Which school do you belong to?"
Amidst the sound of swords clashing, a girl's panicked scream echoed, causing Zhou Fei to pause slightly with the chopsticks in her hand
Zhou Fei cast a glance and gently tapped the table with her hand
Wu Chuchu still remembers Zheng Luosheng, who was forced into the secret passage of Hengshan. Upon hearing the phrase "Living and Dead Mountain," he nervously pinched the corner of his clothing and asked, "Is it the same as that Qinglong Lord?"
Li Sheng was quite blunt and directly asked: "Li Dazhuang, do you still remember what your surname is?"
In the corner sat a guest who had already donned a thick cotton coat, his chin tucked into the collar, making it difficult to discern his features. At the sound of the wooden clapper, he cast a contemplative glance at the bustling waiter, placed his payment for the drinks, pulled his collar up once more, and quietly departed. After the waiter finally completed his rounds, he noticed an empty table and hurried over to tidy up. As he casually picked up the few large coins left by the guest, he was suddenly startled to find that the copper coins were covered with a layer of frost.
The atmosphere was lively along the way, with Li Yan and Li Sheng following behind. Walking ahead with a veil alongside Li Yan was Wu Chuchu, and there was also Yang Jin, who was entertaining everyone on the road.
No matter how beautiful the scenery is, it cannot compare to the importance of one's life. Those who were stealing glances quickly averted their eyes, sitting up straight and only daring to sneak a glance from the corner of their eyes
The pale-faced youth beside suddenly lost color, shouting "A-Ying". A bodyguard stepped forward, attempting to block the girl, but was intercepted by two black-clad members of the Xuanwu Sect from both sides, momentarily caught in a dilemma. More black-clad individuals seemed to have found some amusement, surrounding the girl one after another
At that moment, it seemed that the members of the Xuanwu Sect had had enough of their antics. Suddenly, they leaped down from the wooden railing, pouncing on one of the men from the escort agency like a hawk swooping down on a rabbit. With a powerful grip, they seized the hand axe from the man's grasp and, astonishingly, managed to wrench it away. Immediately afterward, a palm strike landed on the man's chest
This place is filled with either refugees or itinerant performers all day long, and beautiful young women are rarely seen. As soon as the two of them entered, several conspicuous and covert gazes shot over. Unexpectedly, right after, a man with a face as dark as coal followed in, wielding an imposing large ringed knife resembling a goose's wing. The man surveyed the surroundings, then swung the long knife heavily, letting out a cold grunt. The iron rings on the back of the knife were activated by his internal energy, producing an incessant ringing sound, clearly indicating that he was a master with both internal and external skills.
The leader of the Xuanwu faction is clearly a person who becomes weak in the face of strength and strong in the face of weakness, with a look of retreat that is as obvious as his vigilance. However, after so many years in this world, it is truly unacceptable that he does not even know the name of his opponent and runs away with his tail between his legs. He straightened his neck and said: "Are you determined to be a henchman for that hypocrite Huo Liantao, who disregards human ethics, and oppose the master of Xuanwu?"
"We, the people of the Central Plains, do not behave this way," Zhou Fei said without raising her eyelids. "Only the Central Plains turtles act like this"
Wu Chuchu was the first to react, exclaiming, "Ah," and said, "Why is there a ripple on it as well?"
If we consider it from the perspective of that generation, Huo Liantao was nothing at that time; the ripples he holds now must have been left by the old fortress master. Li Sheng paused, recalling the great fire he witnessed, remembering the strange tacit understanding between Chong Yunzi and the old fortress master Huo, and then said, I always feel that the Qi Gate should have one as well
Yang Jin almost spilled the water with her clumsy hands and turned to glare at her. However, before he could express his anger, he heard a horse neighing at the entrance, followed by a group of people entering the inn
Although Zhou Fei was reluctant to jump to conclusions, she also knew that the situation was likely not optimistic
Zhou Fei did not respond, but simply and bluntly asked: "Die or roll away?"
"It is difficult to comment on martial arts," she pondered for a moment and said, "But now that you mention it, I do recall something—during the time when the war affected us, coupled with Cao Zhongkun's deliberate targeting, the major sects around Dongting gradually declined, while the once-silent Huo family fortress thrived. Why is that? The old lord could not manage affairs, and Huo Liantao was neither the one with the deepest heritage nor the one with the best martial skills..." The old lord could not manage affairs, and Huo Liantao was neither the one with the deepest heritage nor the one with the best martial skills..."
I see he is heading south," Li Sheng said, dipping a little water and gently drawing a line on the table, puzzled, "What is there in the south?"
This situation arises from the fact that the martial arts community in the Central Plains is leaderless and in disarray, and also because the conflict between the North and South is intensifying, leaving even the court unable to attend to these vendettas in the martial world
Li Sheng withdrew his gaze indifferently and said to Zhou Fei and the others: "It is indeed true that Huo Liantao set fire to kill his own brother; I witnessed it with my own eyes. Those demons are not exaggerating. But how... Huo Liantao, like a stray dog, fled south from Yueyang, really thinks of himself as something important? Back in the day, even the Mountain and River Sword did not dare to claim the title of Wulin Alliance Leader; what is he worth?"
This winter, after more than three years of brewing tensions, the Southern and Northern Dynasties once again turned against each other, igniting conflict. The refugees traveling south and north resembled ants whose nests had been flooded, as they all rushed out in a chaotic flurry.
"I am not very familiar with the Qi Gate and the Feather Garment Sect," Zhou Fei said, "My mother is the same; if she were not completely in the dark, she certainly would not have sent Senior Brother Chen Fei and the others to pick you up at that time"
After several years apart, Zhou Yitang's words still linger in my ears—"Choosing and discarding is the way of the strong"
However, Xie Yun has been engaged in a battle of wits with the two gentlemen, Xuan Bai, for many years, and possesses a wealth of experience, making it quite difficult to catch the little tail.
"Shall we go play in the south as well?" Li Yan said eagerly, nudging Yang Jin with her elbow in a very familiar manner. "Hey, Heitan, is your hometown in the southern border? I heard that you even eat insects there. Is that true?"
"Let’s go, let’s go, our family is not running a charitable hall." The shop assistant, with a furrowed brow, urged the beggars kneeling at the door to leave, "I say, esteemed elders, I see your plight, but I am just a lowly waiter, my words carry no weight. What can I do? Hurry and leave, or else when the manager’s temper flares up, I won’t fare well either. You should have some pity for me as well... Just go and look elsewhere!" Hurry and leave, or else when the manager’s temper flares up, I won’t fare well either. You should have some pity for me as well... Just go and look elsewhere!"
Li Shengdao: "When dogs bite dogs, what is there to manage?"
The young girl collapsed onto the corpse of the recently deceased bodyguard, tears streaming down her face as she raised her head and said: "You have a grudge against Lord Huo; you could easily confront him. We are merely small merchants, entrusted to deliver goods to the Huo family. What offense have we committed against you? You dare not confront the true culprit, so you vent your anger on us. What kind of justice is this? The law is disregarded, morality is ignored, and you, these demons, can cover the sky with one hand. I... you dare not confront the true culprit, so you vent your anger on us. What kind of justice is this? The law is disregarded, morality is ignored, and you, these demons, can cover the sky with one hand. I... ah!"
Her voice paused here, and she inevitably hesitated, swallowing the words "just like Uncle Ma indulges you" ambiguously.
Li Yan curiously stretched her neck to take a look and asked, "What are these people doing?"
The leader of the Xuanwu faction smiled ominously and said, "If you know what’s good for you, leave the items behind and go back to tell that old bastard Huo Liantao that his so-called 'Stinking Foot Conference' must proceed as scheduled, as my brothers are still waiting to stir up trouble."
As soon as her voice fell, another bodyguard collapsed, landing right on the girl's foot. That bodyguard also had a face of ashen pallor, having died from poisoning
Li Sheng has been exceptionally perceptive since childhood, quick to understand. Upon hearing this, he immediately realized: "But he must be the most ambitious; this person likely has other forces backing him. At that time, when the Huo family fortress was first threatened by the Northern Dipper, they immediately set fire to retreat, abandoning their stronghold. This not only indicates that he is particularly afraid of death, but it is also possible that he had already prepared an escape route. Perhaps he has long been planning to relocate the Huo family fortress to the south, so the forces behind him could very well be..." At that time, when the Huo family fortress was first threatened by the Northern Dipper, they immediately set fire to retreat, abandoning their stronghold. This not only indicates that he is particularly afraid of death, but it is also possible that he had already prepared an escape route. Perhaps he has long been planning to relocate the Huo family fortress to the south, so the forces behind him could very well be...
Li Yan exclaimed, "This Lord Huo must be very wealthy"
The object resting at her waist was a cold and hard scabbard, and the person supporting her instructed, "Be careful"
Zhou Fei said in alarm: "Are you still planning to provoke the Huo family fortress?"
The common people at the border, in the past, were oppressed by the hardships of life, enduring suffering and toil, bearing the burdens of the affluent adults on their shoulders, bending down and scraping the ground, gradually extracting food from the crevices of the stones and soil. Now, however, they have collectively floated to the surface of life, like fragile duckweed and wildflowers, with nowhere to grasp; at the slightest disturbance, they are swept away into the sky along with the smoke and dust.
Li Yan asked: "What is it?"
After listening, Yang Jin felt no particular sentiment regarding the plight of the lonely and suffering children in chaotic times. Instead, she pondered and said: "I have heard that the leg techniques of the Huo family are unparalleled in the world. If this Huo Liantao can gather so many people under his command, his martial arts must be quite formidable"
Leading the way are two young girls, likely sisters, who are linked arm in arm. The older one is wearing a veil, while the other is merely around fourteen or fifteen years old, with an oval face and large eyes, still exhibiting a hint of childishness.
"Let us discuss this ripple effect further," Li Sheng remarked. "As far as we know, there is one with General Wu, and it is evident that there is also one at the Huo family fortress."
The itinerant merchants' guild possesses the "transport and shipping shop's foot teeth"; in terms of being "omnipresent," it surpasses the beggars' guild without exception. Just the "shop" branch alone is capable of keeping an eye on all the large and small taverns and inns. With the favor of Yang Jin and the red agate five bats token on Li Yan, the itinerant merchants' guild operates with great efficiency
The two spoke almost in unison, and Li Sheng, feeling somewhat displeased because his views were "slightly similar to those of Zhou Fei," immediately rolled his eyes at Zhou Fei in a manner reminiscent of an elder.
Zhou Fei did not speak it out, yet others could discern it. Li Yan was taken aback for a moment, seemingly recalling something, and let out a somewhat dejected "oh".
Upon hearing this, the group from Xingnan Escort Agency naturally erupted in furious curses
Upon hearing Zhou Fei's account of the water ripple pattern, Wu Chuchu realized that the object engraved with the water ripple was the longevity lock she had worn since childhood. Without hesitation, she entrusted this item to Li Jinrong—carrying this thing made her a coveted target for Qiu Tianji and others. Once she handed it over, she would become an unencumbered orphan, with no one having the time to deal with her
That day, Zhou Fei unexpectedly encountered Yang Jin in the guest room of the Forty-Eight Stronghold, and immediately recalled that this person had a close relationship with the Traveling Gang. She and Xie Yun were escorting Wu Chuchu back to the Forty-Eight Stronghold, moving with such caution, yet this fellow was able to ambush them; this skill could be considered even more impressive than his renowned "Thirteen Knives of the Broken Goose" that was famous throughout the nine provinces.
As for Li Yan... she shamelessly tagged along with the attitude of "If you don't take me, I will make sure that everyone knows about you by tomorrow, and none of you will be able to escape."
"If there is nothing to do, do not seek trouble," Zhou Fei glanced meaningfully at Yang Jin, "If you are really itching to practice, I can accompany you"
He had long since sent away the important things, leaving only an empty shell and a foolish brother for Shen Tianshu at the Huo Family Fortress in Yueyang. Li Sheng casually remarked, "The head of the Xingnan Escort Agency, Zhu Qing, was originally quite an impressive figure. However, during one escort mission, he was ambushed, injuring his spine, and to this day he can only lie in bed, unable to take care of himself, let alone manage the business. Zhu Qing has a pair of children who are not yet eighteen. His elder brother, Zhu Chen, is the one who was just protected by their escort. He has been in poor health since childhood and has only practiced martial arts sporadically. His sister, Miss Zhu, has been spoiled since she was little, and her skills are just mediocre. The two siblings suddenly faced a great change and had no choice but to fend for themselves. Fortunately, a group of old escorts are kind-hearted and willing to support them, allowing the escort agency to barely hold on. A few years ago, when the Huo Family Fortress was rising, they were recruiting people everywhere, and it was said that even Mu Xiao Qiao from the Living and Dead Mountain had joined. The Zhu siblings then took the opportunity to attach themselves to the Huo family. However, Huo Liantao, despite his grandiose claims, never really cared about their well-being. This time, when the ruffians from the Living and Dead Mountain couldn't find the main target, they took their anger out on them, which is truly unfortunate.
Zhou Fei was momentarily taken aback; upon hearing this, it indeed seemed possible!
The young girl suddenly lost her balance, staggering backward for half a step. The leader of the Xuanwu Sect immediately stepped forward, grabbing the girl's collar and with a "rip" sound, tore it off.
If it were not for this, she would truly want to stay in Shu to see her father and have a good conversation with him about those things she could not understand before, but have now experienced the taste of over the past year
The shopkeeper drove away a group of people and then brought a pot to refill the guests' water. A few black-clad men, resembling bodyguards, were seated in the hall, with a flag beside them bearing the name of the escort agency "Xingnan." Each of the men had a weathered face, and in the center, they were gathered around a delicate young boy and girl.
Otherwise, it will sooner or later be sold by the pound.
As for Wu Chuchu's presence, there is another reason behind it
The brothers of the yellow bat conveyed a message, stating that they seemed to have seen the person you inquired about. This individual purchased a carriage for himself and is quite extravagant, insisting on driving it himself and refusing any assistance. My brothers, having never seen a young master acting as a mere coachman, found it somewhat strange and even sent someone to discreetly follow for a while, observing that he was traveling along the official road to Yongzhou
The escort is represented by this flag, shining wherever it goes; this is both a reputation and a matter of face. If a certain escort agency is robbed, at most it will suffer financial losses and a bit of damage to its reputation. However, if an escort agency has its flag taken down, it is akin to being slapped in the face. Especially if it falls into the hands of those demons on the Mountain of the Living and the Dead, once this spreads, how will the Xingshan Escort Agency find a place to stand in the southern half of the river?
Li Yan listened to the whole story, feeling utterly bewildered, as if her head had transformed into eight large ones, with all the birds in the city flying over to circle around her head. She racked her brain for a moment but could not make sense of it; the clear distinction between the flour and water in her mind had turned into an inseparable mess of paste. She could only weakly ask, "So what? I still don't understand."
Li Yan rarely had the opportunity to be a teacher, but was immediately overshadowed by the "three mountains," feeling somewhat embarrassed. Wu Chuchu quickly stepped in to ease the situation, subtly gesturing towards the Xingnan Escort Agency and whispering, "Shh—look over there, don't those people seem to have a grudge against those from the... Xuanwu Sect?"
The bodyguard let out a terrible scream and immediately retreated several steps, sitting down heavily on the steps. His face turned a horrifying shade of purple, and his legs kicked out twice. He then frantically reached for his collar, his nails digging into his flesh without him even realizing it. He made a wheezing sound, and in just a moment, he had already lost his breath. In his final moments, he tore open the front of his blood-stained garment, revealing a dark handprint inside. His nails dug into his flesh without him even realizing it, and he made a wheezing sound, and in just a moment, he had already lost his breath. In his final moments, he tore open the front of his blood-stained garment, revealing a dark handprint inside.
When sinking, one floats; when floating, one sinks. Consider the ants, through countless generations, do they not all live such days?
The innkeeper replied politely, "I apologize for my lack of ability, but I truly do not know. However, this person must be staying in an inn and using transportation, right? In terms of food, clothing, shelter, and transportation, we control a significant portion of that. The person you are looking for, no matter how careful, may have overlooked something. Please do not be anxious; that person just left a couple of days ago and may not have gone far. Why not stay at the inn for now and wait for further news?"
It is evident that the demons of the Living and Dead Mountain dare to come knocking, which indicates that they do not regard the seemingly formidable bodyguards of the Xingnan Escort Agency with any respect. In less than a few exchanges, the outcome was clear, and the disparity in strength was unmistakable. The bodyguards were quickly routed, and several of them fell victim to the Xuanwu Sect's lethal poison, unable to utter a single word before they breathed their last.
Yang Jin furrowed his brow seriously and said: "Practicing martial arts is not like writing; it doesn't matter if you hold the pen incorrectly. Making a mistake is not a trivial matter; how can one casually mislead the disciples?"
The young girl, her eyes red, drew out her twin Emei daggers and lunged forward.
Zhou Fei tapped the bloodstains in the blood trough of Wangchun Mountain and looked up at Li Cheng, who had slowed his pace by half a step
Li Yan stretched her neck and looked for a while, seeing the loud drums and gongs over there, she asked: "Brother, are we really not going to do anything about it"
Thus, Yongzhou is about to become lively this time. Li Sheng said softly, "Huo Liantao has no idea what the ripples represent; he mistakenly believes that all the guests are here to flatter him. When the time comes, I fear there will be a large number of uninvited guests."
The young girl pointed her dual daggers directly at the killer's eyes. The leader of the Xuanwu Sect, upon witnessing this, could not help but chuckle. He took a step back and easily grasped her weapon through his gloves. The girl instinctively tried to pull it back, but the opponent's gaze swept over her graceful figure, and suddenly, a wicked light flashed in his eyes. He relaxed his grip and said, "I return it to you."
Li Sheng sighed: "Not bad"
Although she knew that Zhou Fei was talking nonsense, she also understood that it was not entirely baseless—whatever the term "Haitian Yise" referred to, it must be deeply connected to the Wu family, the culprits responsible for the deaths of her mother and brother. Logically speaking, she had endured a harrowing journey from Zhongnan to the Forty-Eighth Village, filled with blood and danger, and had barely managed to find some stability. To leave again so soon would be nothing short of turmoil
The innkeeper was taken aback for a moment, then hurriedly forced a smile and approached: "Esteemed guests, are you looking for accommodation? Please come inside, we still have rooms available"
Zhou Fei sincerely said: "Then you must make sure to get closer to your adoptive father, and listen to his advice more often."
He threw a black wooden carved invitation onto the table: "You all take a look at this first"
She does not understand what is so exciting about this
Upon hearing the name "Huo Liantao," Li Sheng involuntarily straightened his back and gestured to Li Yan to be silent with a hand signal.
The ordinary invitation was written on paper, but Huo Liantao's invitation was extravagantly carved on wood, with the time and place intricately hollowed out on the surface, and below it was a bizarre pattern resembling rippling water, very similar to the longevity lock of Wu Chuchu.
Three grains of rice rolled off Li Yan's chopsticks, and she stared in astonishment at the older siblings who said, "Only the officials are allowed to set fires, while the common people are not allowed to light lamps," and said, "No, wasn't it agreed that we wouldn't cause trouble?"
However, on that evening, the shop assistant from the "first household" delivered a message to Yang Jin
In the inn, those who were eating and drinking were all very quiet—only to see that the newcomers were all dressed in black tight-fitting clothes, wearing bamboo hats on their heads, standing in a neat row at the entrance, exuding a fierce and menacing aura, not resembling travelers seeking lodging or meals, but rather appearing as if they had come to settle a score.
Everyone was in a state of confusion, and no one spoke up
Li Sheng kicked Li Yan from under the table and said, "You are afraid that others do not know, aren't you?"
The young woman seemed to have dressed in a manner convenient for traveling, and did not intentionally disguise herself as a man. Her attire consisted of short male clothing, and her hair was casually styled into a braid. She was slender, with delicate features, and her pale cheeks gave her a somewhat frail appearance, as if she had recently recovered from a serious illness
Zhou Fei observed coldly, almost frowning—this girl’s meager skills were even inferior to Li Yan’s, wasting that pair of Emei daggers
The inn is named "The First Household". The front yard features a two-story tavern, and there is a courtyard at the back. True to its name, it is considered the most impressive establishment in the area, which is why there are particularly many vagrants at the entrance, with one wave after another arriving, making it impossible to drive them away
The leader of the Xuanwu Sect continued with great satisfaction: "The head of the Huo family was originally Old Master Huo; who doesn't know how Huo Liantao came to hold the position of family head? That's a family matter of theirs, so it can be overlooked. However, that mere Beidou has not yet reached Yueyang, and Huo Liantao has already fled in a panic, burning his own brother to death in the process. What kind of shameless scoundrel is this? How dare he issue a 'Heroic Call to the North'? Bah! I think it would be better to call it a 'Foot-Kissing Notice'!"
"Xuanwu," Yang Jin said, "look at that person's hands"
Zhou Fei can only tolerate one and a half people arguing with her, one being Zhou Yitang and the half being Xie Yun— even with Xie Yun, when he goes on and on, he must be prepared to be beaten— she simply does not want to deal with these unnecessary people
Yang Jinqi asked: "Isn't it said that he burned down his own house and fled to the south? How could he still be so wealthy?"
Generally, during winter, I prefer to head south. Those small inns, in order to save money, do not provide heating. If one happens to miss the accommodation, one has to stay in the windy wilderness, and the experience is better left unmentioned. It is far better to go to the southern border and bask in the sun
Zhou Fei cast a glance at the girl from the escort agency, whose eyes were red-rimmed. She sheathed her knife, her face betraying little emotion, yet she let out a faint sigh in her heart—Xie Yun had accompanied her all the way back to Shu, but now he had suddenly left without a word. Aside from that day when he used that technique to save her, the "Pushing Cloud Palm," it seemed there was no other reason. What could possibly make a person abandon something they had been secretly investigating for so long?
For some reason, in this chaotic and bustling environment, Zhou Fei felt that this was something Xie Yun could accomplish
Zhou Fei suddenly pondered and said, "Wait a moment, I have noticed a problem here."
Upon hearing this, the crowd immediately stirred with a slight commotion
Suddenly, the other party shook their wrist, causing the young girl to involuntarily lean to one side. She reached out and managed to grab the wooden handrail of the inn, barely stabilizing herself. In a state of shock, she glanced down at the ground and saw a pool of blood. The several arms that had just grabbed her were collectively severed at the elbows, and screams of horror erupted.
The living and the dead, the mountains and the North Star, even the southern court, are all captivated by the breathtaking beauty of "the sea and the sky merging into one"
With her "thousand-mile eyes," Li Yan's large eyes rolled around and took in the entire lobby on the first floor, quietly reporting: "I saw it, that person has a turtle with a long tail tattooed on the back of their hand"
The young boy and girl, protected in the middle by the numerous bodyguards, simultaneously shouted: "Uncle Hu Si!"
Zhou Fei: "... ..."
Zhou Fei choked on a mouthful of water: "Mother, are you still teaching others?"
Yang Jin let out a cold snort, withdrew the hand that was resting on the Broken Goose Blade, and said: "These men in black are from the Mountain of Living and Dead, I have... seen them once."
All the leaders are dead, and no one dares to go against fate. The black-clad men, who were once fierce and imposing, have scattered like birds and beasts in an instant. The inn has quickly returned to a state of tranquility, leaving only a lingering scent of the law of the jungle.
Seeing that the person with a large turtle tattoo on his hand was about to speak, Zhou Fei suddenly did not bother with any greetings and directly advanced with her knife. The man only saw a flash of the blade and was startled, in a moment of panic, he turned to dive into the crowd behind him, using his peers as a shield. However, Zhou Fei was someone who had single-handedly broken through the Qinglong Master’s mountain and sea formation, so how could she not see through this slippery maneuver? Somehow, she bypassed the obstructive person in front of her, lightly turned her foot, and like a bone-deep sore, Wanchun Mountain wrapped around the neck of the leader of the Xuanwu Sect, directly pushing him forward.
Zhou Fei was silent for a moment and asked, "What is Xu the helmsman to you?"
Li Yan was afraid of being scolded and held back her voice, while Yang Jin furrowed his brows and said: "Weren't we just discussing whether Huo Liantao's martial arts are impressive or not? What are you all rambling about? Why do you people from the Central Plains always overthink things? It's so frustrating!"
Upon seeing this, the members of the escort agency were filled with rage. Four or five men rushed forward, drawing their weapons, and charged towards the leader of the Xuanwu Sect.
Yang Jin sneered, "Those who seek revenge for their father's murder may not dare to be so brazen; you people from the Central Plains are truly remarkable"
Yang Jin said: "Oh, it is my adoptive father. Many years ago, he came to our Qingyun Valley seeking medical treatment, and my father cured him. Since then, he has frequently visited us."
Zhou Fei said: "Sit down and eat your meal"
The leader let out a hearty laugh, placing one foot on the wooden railing, moving with surprising ease and agility.
The shopkeeper said, taking out a copper coin, and facing the puzzled gazes of the crowd, he lowered his voice to explain: "This is actually just an ordinary large coin, but when that guest left, the coin was covered with a layer of frost."
Since ancient times, there have been escort agencies to protect valuables, and naturally, there are those who wish to rob them. However, since the business involves highway robbery, it must take place in sparsely populated areas, and the robbers are unlikely to reveal their names. Who would have thought that nowadays, these highway robbers act with such boldness and swagger, as if their actions are justified? Not only do they disdain to conceal their identities, but they also pursue their victims into bustling inns, leaving the victims with no way out and no one to turn to for help, which is truly bizarre. Who would have thought that nowadays, these highway robbers act with such boldness and swagger, as if their actions are justified? Not only do they disdain to conceal their identities, but they also pursue their victims into bustling inns, leaving the victims with no way out and no one to turn to for help, which is truly bizarre.
In a prosperous era, the law of the king prevails, while in a chaotic time, the sword reigns supreme - in such a tumultuous world, it has always been the case that the more malevolent one is, the more power one gains
Some of those who were timid in the lobby had quietly left, leaving only a few people on the second floor. Wu Chuchu's glance was not out of place, as the others present were also whispering among themselves. Suddenly, a young girl from the Xingnan Escort Agency stepped forward in anger, drawing a pair of Emei daggers from her waist, and pointed at the Xuanwu Sect downstairs, saying: "In broad daylight, you chase us into the inn and openly rob the escort. Do you still have any regard for the law?"
"I haven't had the chance to mention this until now," Zhou Fei lifted her eyelids and glanced at her, saying, "Today, we need to establish three rules. This time, when we go out, there will be no one to protect you. Under my watch, if you dare to run around like you did last time in Shaoyang, I will break your legs. Li Yan, I warn you, do not expect me to be like..."
Two days later, the "First Inn" welcomed several young guests
The shop assistant, however, nodded and bowed to him, leaving behind the words, "If you have any further instructions, please let me know," and then swiftly rushed off to attend to other customers
The young woman bore a knife, its blade somewhat long, hanging at her waist in a somewhat cumbersome manner. She held it in her hand, the pitch-black sheath contrasting with the pale back of her hand, creating a strangely harmonious unity. Any seasoned veteran of the underworld would recognize at a glance that the knife had seen blood, far from being a mere trinket brandished by a novice.
Li Yan was finally driven mad by their incomprehensible conversation: "Excuse me, big brother, dear sister, can you two communicate in human language?"
The waiter at the first table, while attending to their seating and ordering, whispered to Yang Jin: "I am from the Blue Bat. On that day, I spoke too much and chatted with other guests. One of the patrons at the adjacent table seemed to have overheard something and immediately left after placing his money down. Upon reflection, that person's appearance seems quite similar to the 'Mink' you are looking for, and he appeared to be very familiar with our gang. I am not sure how accurate this is... Oh, right, he also left this."
Yang Jin did not understand her subtle sarcasm at all, and looked at her in confusion, honestly nodding and saying: "That is only natural"
"Be good," Li Sheng said expressionlessly, "Shut up."
As soon as she finished speaking, the leader of the Xuanwu Sect downstairs laughed and said, "Little girl, who would bother to rob your convoy? Our brothers have seen and experienced much; why would we care about your trifling matters? We simply cannot stand the sight of you serving that hypocrite Huo Liantao, while arrogantly claiming to be the legitimate heirs of the Southern Dynasty's martial arts. We have come specifically to uphold justice on behalf of heaven."
However, to put it another way, even if she is merely a delicate and fragile young lady, can she, under the pretext of her own incompetence and uselessness, comfortably hide away in the mountains of Shu, closing her eyes and blocking her ears? Even if she were to live a peaceful life and enjoy wealth, would that truly align with the principles of being a child to one's parents?
Behind the man with the dark face, there were others. As they needed to entrust their accompanying horses and carriages to the care of the innkeeper, the two individuals delayed for a moment before finally entering the door—one was a young man and the other was a girl dressed in male attire
However, when she walked in, for some reason, no one dared to openly scrutinize her as they had before
These living and dead mountain tyrants have long been accustomed to their rampant behavior, how could they have ever encountered someone who, without patience for words, would directly draw a knife to kill? They were momentarily stunned, and only then did they realize the purity of the words "die or roll" from the person before them
As far as we know now, most of those who originally held this ripple of water have died, and none of them ever disclosed the details to their successors. Wu Chuchu quietly explained to her, "I have worn this longevity lock since I was a child, but my father never told me what was special about it. The Mountain River Sword met an untimely end, which goes without saying, and afterwards, his belongings fell into the hands of Zheng Luosheng, who never understood the significance of the sea and sky being one until his death.