Chapter One, the sea and sky are one color

He pressed his hand against his chest and coughed a few times with difficulty. He stepped forward and cupped his fist towards Li Yan, saying: "Although the young lady and I are not acquainted, you are willing to lend a helping hand, for which Liu is immensely grateful. In the next life, I will surely repay this kindness. As matters stand, I must have a resolution with this Master Tong. You all... should leave quickly."

Li Sheng's mind is calm and composed; even in a perilous situation, he remains unperturbed, moving methodically, occasionally delivering a sudden thrust with his sword.

For safety's sake, Li Sheng did not rashly enter Zhangqiu City. He placed Liu Youliang in a sage temple outside the city and quietly climbed over the wall to sneak into the backyard. In front, an old gentleman was leading a group of students to pay respects to the sage, burning incense and giving admonitions; the ceremony was quite lengthy. Li Sheng took a discreet glance and said to Li Yan: "You stay here and keep an eye on him, do not cause any more trouble. I will go ahead to take a look and, if possible, arrange for a horse-drawn carriage."

Li Yan widened her eyes, almost moved to tears, as the person who arrived was actually Zhou Fei

Zhou Fei stood firmly between the two of them and said to Li Cheng: "Not only do I know this Lord Tong, but we also share a deep connection. The first time I met Lord Tong was when you were chasing after Mu Xiao Qiao with Lord Shen. At that time, I saw you, but you did not see me. The second time, because of a 'Fire Lotus', you struck me down into the valley with a single palm, nearly costing me my life. It took me more than four months to climb back up. Ah, it truly was a life-and-death experience. I have no way to repay such great kindness and grace, so I could only sneak into the old capital and set fire to your residence."

In the twenty-fifth year of the Jianyuan era, shortly after the Mid-Autumn Festival

However, she soon wilted again; the martial arts of the person in red were too formidable. With Li Yan's keen eyesight, she could not even discern how high the person's skills were, let alone intervene in such matters. Everyone around her avoided the situation as if it were a plague. Li Yan pushed her knife forward half an inch and then froze, her mind hesitating as she thought: If Li Que De knew that I dared to overestimate my abilities and meddle in such trivial matters, he would surely be furious like a toad... And how should I even intervene

The sharp-faced man, upon seeing that the one asking questions was a beautiful young lady, began to speak more freely, intentionally showcasing his knowledge. He said: "My lady, consider this: that demon's minions have raised so many thugs, yet they do not engage in production. What do they eat? The area beyond the Living and Dead Mountain has long been deserted, with no place left to rob. After so many years of war, the land routes are blocked, and the waterways are also cut off. There are only a few paths left to traverse. I heard that this person was recently in Jinyang, and now he has come here... cough, this person indeed understands that one cannot shear wool from just one sheep."

Tong Kaiyang said: "Alright, so you are the Traveling Gang? You refuse to take the main road, and instead, you insist on going through the Ghost Gate!"

She was about to step forward with a knife in hand when her foot slipped slightly. Suddenly, a figure like lightning appeared in front of her, startling Li Yan so much that she almost cried out. The newcomer raised a hand to cover her mouth and made a gesture for silence.

When the old master shouted "Southern Country Child Supervisor," the arrogant Beidou paused for a moment. After a brief interval, someone else spoke up, this time sounding much more polite. The person said: "May I ask, sir, if you are ... ... "

At this moment, it was too late to loosen the reins and let the horse gallop wildly. Tong Kaiyang had already fallen a yard behind them. The originally clean black boots of the Wuqixing had a trace of blood on them, yet he remained completely unruffled, not a single hair out of place. He slightly tilted his head to look at the Li siblings on horseback, not taking these young people seriously at all. He merely stood with his hands clasped behind his back, glanced at Liu Youliang, and scoffed, "Just now it was the Walking Help, who is it this time? Liu Daitongling, I’m not saying this to offend you, but you were once the foremost of the Imperial Guards. How is it that the only ones willing to help you are either lowly beggars or young cubs who haven't even grown their fur yet?"

Someone next to them whispered "shh". After that, unable to hold back, they continued, "How can it not be possible? Have you forgotten that General Zhongwu with the surname Wu?"

Zhou Fei leaned against the wall, and upon hearing these words, smiled faintly.

Those who see this order, the members of the Forty-Eight Villages will all arrive at this location immediately.

This is simply insane

Just as Li Yan hesitated, suddenly, the old shopkeeper who had just been begging for mercy stepped forward and pulled out a pair of nunchaku from his bosom

Liu Youliang's fall was no trivial matter; he felt a wave of darkness before his eyes and struggled on the ground several times without being able to rise. Meanwhile, the black-clad men from Beidou, who had been lying in ambush, had already surrounded him. Just as he seemed to be at a dead end, suddenly, a rain-soaked tree branch fell from the sky, sweeping across in a chaotic manner. The vision of those black-clad men was abruptly disrupted, and they were taken by surprise. Before they could react, a long knife emerged from behind the tree branch, and the newcomer unexpectedly took down three or four of the black-clad men in quick succession.

Li Yan wielded a knife in one hand and swung a tree branch larger than herself in the other, creating an illusion of being exceptionally tall and imposing. Seizing the moment, she shouted to Liu Youliang: "Uncle, run!"

The man merely kept his eyes closed, as if he had not heard a thing

Li Yan : `` ... ... ''

Li Yan suddenly found herself at a loss for words. Over the past few years, she had seen Zhou Fei only a handful of times, and her impression of Zhou Fei remained rooted in those long adolescent days. Li Yan remembered that Zhou Fei walked with her head down, often lost in her own world, oblivious to her surroundings, which made her neither recognize the path nor the people. Every time there was a festival, she would follow Li Cheng with an indifferent expression, and if she happened to meet someone, she would simply echo whatever Li Cheng called them. There was even one time when she inadvertently followed Li Cheng and called the head of the family "Auntie." Because she was often lost in her own world, she neither recognized the path nor the people. Every time there was a festival, she would follow Li Cheng with an indifferent expression, and if she happened to meet someone, she would simply echo whatever Li Cheng called them. There was even one time when she inadvertently followed Li Cheng and called the head of the family "Auntie." The secrets told to Zhou Fei would never be a cause for concern, as she simply did not care; when listening, she did not absorb the information, and the girl’s heartfelt confessions shared with her the day before would be completely forgotten the moment she turned away.

The chilly autumn wind poured in through the open door of the inn, causing a shiver to run through those inside

In the twenty-second year of the Jianyuan era, during the "Heroic Gathering to the North," Ding Kuishen died unknowingly outside the city of Yongzhou. Mu Xiao Qiao and Feng Feihua subsequently vanished without a trace, leaving their fates unknown, marking a definitive end to the era of the living and the dead in the mountains.

In the twenty-second year of the Jianyuan era of the Later Zhao, the Cao family's meteoric rise seemed to have reached its zenith, with an unstoppable fortune that appeared to be at its end

The man shook his head, handed over a handful of silver coins and a wine flask, and said: "No, I still have to travel. Please add a flask of wine for me and pack some dried food and jerky for the journey. I shall be on my way now"

This "great demon" deserves to be elaborated upon

The proprietor of the Hongyun Inn is an elderly man, skillfully manipulating an abacus in his hands. His gaze is indeed sharp and restrained, indicating that he is a master of internal martial arts. The proprietor nods to the waiter, and another attendant steps forward, intending to assist and help the man down.

The man reached out to him, and something flashed in his hand, too quick for those at a distance to see clearly. However, the shop assistant's expression changed, and he said respectfully, "My apologies, please come inside."

"A senior, although a bit lewd, is still quite reliable, and I can trust him with this." Zhou Fei paused, glanced at Li Yan, and continued, "I won't wait for Granny Li any longer; just let her know. I have some matters to attend to and will return home in a few days for the Double Ninth Festival. Be careful on the way, and see you later"

She anxiously reached out to tug at Zhou Fei's sleeve, just about to speak, when she saw Zhou Fei shake her head at her

This man in the red robe is indeed Tong Kaiyang, known as "Beidou Wuqiu." He said ominously, "Knowing who I am, you still dare to be so audacious, old man. I see that you no longer wish to keep this inn open."

The choice between sacrificing one's life and merely surviving, between enduring pain and enduring humiliation, is akin to the autumn waters blending seamlessly with the vast sky.

The proprietor of the traveling merchant group could no longer afford to feign composure behind the counter with his abacus. He hurriedly stepped forward, parting the crowd with quick strides, and bowed deeply to the ground, saying: "Esteemed officials, I am but a humble merchant engaged in a small-scale business, and I have committed no unlawful acts. I have already made all necessary contributions and have never defaulted. May I inquire what brings you esteemed officials here?"

In the blink of an eye, the wind direction in Nandu Jinling has changed

Li Sheng did not expect that as soon as she left, such a huge disaster would occur. Filled with regret and anger, she became increasingly ruthless in her actions, leaving a number of Beidou members lying on the ground. Li Yan, being quite clever, did not remain idle either. With a whistle, she called her horse over and reached out to help Liu Youliang, saying, "Uncle, the horse is for you; I have my brother!"

Ah," the young girl at the same table finally couldn't help but speak up, "Stop pushing him, he has lost a lot of blood, I can smell it. Look, he might have passed out.

The innkeeper, quite perceptive, hurriedly picked up a bamboo umbrella and called out: "Do the guests wish to stay at the inn? There are still vacant rooms!"

In times of peace, there is a way of living suited to peace; in times of war, there is a way of living suited to war

Upon hearing the term "Qin Fan," Li Yan immediately associated it with the injury on the waist of the strange man before her. Without having time to think it through, she took advantage of her concealment in the corner, shielded by a group of people, and reached for the cool water used for rinsing bowls and chopsticks on the table. With a flick of her wrist, she splashed half a cup of cool water onto the man's face without wasting a single drop

Suddenly, the door of the Hongyun Inn opened again, and a tall man walked in

This person never reveals his true name, and others do not know his teachers or old acquaintances; it is as if he suddenly sprang forth from the crevices of a rock, emerging out of nowhere to wreak havoc. He claims to be called "Qinghui Zhenren" and, due to his extraordinary martial arts skills and ruthless methods, he is also referred to by contemporaries as the "Iron-Faced Demon"

Zhou Fei lifted her eyelids and glanced at her: "What is so strange? Do you think your brother would casually leave you here anywhere?"

With Tong Kaiyang's appearance here, the fate of the people in the Hongyun Inn is evident. Perhaps the old innkeeper had already foreseen his own outcome when he spoke those words in the inn, yet Liu Youliang never expected it to come so swiftly. Just now, when Li Yan made her move, he could see the depth of that young girl. Compared to her peers of the same age, she was quite impressive; however, in front of Tong Kaiyang, she was utterly defenseless. Her brother did not seem to be much older, so he likely had his limits as well. Liu Youliang suddenly felt a wave of despair, sensing that fate intended to bring about his demise here. He sighed inwardly and thought: "Well, plans are made by man, but success is determined by heaven. Some matters can only be attempted with effort; if they truly cannot succeed, then it is fate. Why should I drag the innocent down with me?"

In a place separated by a wall, the old master cleared his throat and recited, "To open peace for all generations." The word "peace" was drawn out for thirty miles, truly a performance that would make even the old dan bow in admiration. Meanwhile, in the dilapidated backyard of the sage's temple, a middle-aged man, barely clinging to life, lay on the ground, lightly releasing this earth-shattering news.

However, before Zhou Fei could speak, a shadow flashed and had already disappeared

"Oh, I beg your pardon." Zhou Fei raised her head and smiled. The smile of a young girl is naturally pure and charming, but when she smiled, it sent a chill down Tong Kaiyang's spine. She then softly said, "This knife of yours looks quite valuable; it probably cannot be bought for less than ten taels of silver, brother..."

The Hongyun Inn is the largest inn in the area. The staff are quick and pleasant, and they have several signature dishes. In recent years, it has gained a considerable reputation among travelers, becoming a notable sight in Jinan Prefecture. While ordinary wanderers are not afraid to walk barefoot, the burden of such a large establishment has led to this situation—this is also the reason why Liu Youliang passed through here, merely stopping for a rest without seeking the protection of a traveling gang.

In the first month of the lunar year, the literary star of the Big Dipper perished in Yongzhou City, and in the summer of the same year, the dike at the Yellow River estuary broke. News of the North Emperor's serious illness spread rapidly, the Crown Prince was incompetent, and the son of a courtesan, Cao Ning, harbored ambitious designs, refusing to obey the imperial edict and asserting his power in front of the two armies.

A voice shouted arrogantly from the front: "The Beidou is capturing the court's wanted criminals! Old man, have you seen a man and a woman carrying an injured person pass by?"

It is indeed strange that when Cao Ning launched a surprise attack on the Forty-Eight Villages, the people of Shu felt as if a great disaster was imminent, and they fled in droves, fearing that a moment's inattention would plunge them into the flames of war. However, when the fighting truly began, after the initial panic, people seemed to adapt to the new order of things as swiftly as the small town at the foot of Mount Heng, which was beyond the reach of governance.

Zhou Fei remained silent, thought for a moment, put the old rouge box into her bosom, stood up, and shouted outside: "Old Lin, have you finished reciting the sutras?"

Zhou Fei ran her fingers along the tip of the broken blade and smiled, saying: "It has been a while since I last saw you; it seems you are still in good health."

Liu Youliang said: "I have been searching for someone to entrust my hopes to, and at last, heaven has shown me mercy. Miss Zhou, I shall rely on you."

In the forest behind, a rustling sound arose, and soon after, a person wearing a bamboo hat emerged slowly from the woods, leading a horse and holding a long knife without a sheath in hand. This person had a slender build, appearing somewhat frail, among the women... Among the women of the South, one could perhaps barely describe her as "tall"; her cloud-like long hair was casually tied up and hung down her back, and her body was covered with a layer of misty moisture

"It doesn't matter," Li Yan said while sitting cross-legged on the ground. "My aunt said that we should not provoke trouble if we can avoid it, but we are not afraid of trouble either. While it is certainly important to protect ourselves, if we only focus on self-preservation and end up as a group of timid turtles merely surviving, it would be contrary to our original intention."

Beidou Luyaoguang and Gu Tianxuan accompanied the army, leaving only Shen Tianshu and Tong Kaiyang. Under the orders of the Eastern Palace of the Northern Dynasty, they traveled tirelessly between various major sects in the martial world, wishing they could scrape the ground three feet deep, causing a great uproar that instilled fear in those who heard it. Some individuals from small sects sought refuge everywhere, and there were those who, in their desperation, disregarded their dignity, even willing to seek shelter with the great demon.

This spendthrift girl is quite adept at being generous with others' resources

The noisy schoolchildren in the temple have already left, and the old scholar, leaning on a cane, is slowly making his way over. With a head full of white hair, he appears to be well into his seventies. Just watching him take these two steps makes Li Yan anxious, fearing that he might fall and injure himself severely.

Tong Kaiyang shouted angrily: "Who!"

Liu Youliang shouted: "Miss!"

While everyone was lamenting that the heroes had yet to emerge, upon seeing the innkeeper confront the Northern Dipper and the Martial Star, they immediately left without a word, discreetly packing their belongings. Only Li Yan hesitated, feeling that since she came from a prestigious and righteous background and possessed martial skills, she was naturally different from those merchants. Leaving like this would be rather unseemly. She also recalled that Li Sheng had asked her to wait at the Hongyun Inn. If she left, her elder brother would not be able to find her upon his arrival, and if he encountered the Northern Dipper and others, he would surely become even more anxious. She felt that since she came from a prestigious and righteous background and possessed martial skills, she was naturally different from those merchants. Leaving like this would be rather unseemly. She also recalled that Li Sheng had asked her to wait at the Hongyun Inn. If she left, her elder brother would not be able to find her upon his arrival, and if he encountered the Northern Dipper and others, he would surely become even more anxious

Tong Kaiyang gently licked the edge of his blade and said, "Do you know that the sound of old bones cracking is different from that of younger ones?"

At this moment, she had no other choice. Gritting her teeth, she threw the large tree branch aside, took a deep breath, and grasped the long knife with both hands, thinking to herself: If only A Fei could possess my body.

"As it expanded, it could no longer contain itself," Zhou Fei interjected from the side, "thus resulting in the establishment of two Guozijian in the north and south. To demonstrate their ability to listen to all sides, the teachers and students of the southern and northern Guozijian regularly submitted memorials to the old capital. These bookish individuals can sometimes be even more ferocious than the Censorate when it comes to biting back. It is said that the Zhao family fled south in a panic because the old emperor's solitary actions undermined the foundations of the powerful and the literati in the court. With this cautionary tale in mind, the Cao family has always been very careful. The Beidou, in name the emperor's imperial guard, is actually just a dog doing the bidding, and they would hardly dare to act recklessly in the southern Guozijian... right, Lord Liu?"

She likes the "Three Character Classic," Zhou Fei said coldly, "No more nonsense, let's go!"

How did a person who was once oblivious to the affairs outside his window become someone who is now well-versed in the matters of the world, both north and south?

Li Sheng saw the visitor, his expression first relaxed, but upon hearing her disrespectful words, his expression darkened again: "Zhou Fei, this is not your 'line', what are you doing here?"

The veins on Li Sheng's hand suddenly throbbed.

With quick steps, having finished her work, she casually strolled around, is that not acceptable? Zhou Fei said as she walked over unhurriedly. For some reason, the black-clad men of Beidou surrounding the outer circle seemed to part like the sea. She did not glance at these black-clad men even once, completely treating them as a line of people welcoming her. She walked straight up to Tong Kaiyang, pushed her fallen hat up again, slightly raised her delicate face, and said, "Oh, so it is the esteemed Lord Wuqin of Beidou."

Liu Youliang glanced at her with a slight smile and said, "It's not that, if it weren't for the urgent matter I need to deliver to the south, they might not have discovered it... You all have taken such a significant risk to save me, truly..."

Not only Li Yan, but even Zhou Fei was taken aback

As soon as this group of people entered, the inn fell silent.

Zhou Fei said lightly: "It's just a mere Big Dipper, go ahead, it's nothing."

The shopkeeper hesitated for a moment and stepped forward to greet, "Esteemed guest..."

The person who was seriously injured was obviously at the end of their rope, and involuntarily reached out to press the wound on their waist, panting uncontrollably.

Back then, Xie Gongzi borrowed from him several "travel records" that were difficult to enter the elegant hall, but he has not had a chance to return them yet and has since disappeared. Li Sheng suddenly felt that since the moment they returned from Yongzhou, it seemed as if someone was whipping them to rush forward. Every morning when he opened his eyes, there were countless things to arrange and countless things to consider that he had never thought of before. They were originally growing up year by year in an orderly manner, but the rhythm was suddenly disrupted. Overnight, they became "adults" of the generation that could shoulder the heavy burden in the forty-eight villages, instead of juniors who had to ask for permission for everything. It seemed as if someone was whipping them to rush forward every day, and every morning when they opened their eyes, there were countless things to arrange and countless things to consider that they had never thought of before. They were originally growing up year by year in an orderly manner, but the rhythm was suddenly disrupted. Overnight, they became "adults" of the generation that could shoulder the heavy burden in the forty-eight villages, instead of juniors who had to ask for permission for everything.

She truly gets what she thinks, but while having a bowl of noodles, an "accident" actually occurred

Then, a figure in red appeared before them after a few leaps: "Who is this meddlesome person?"

Tong Kaiyang, filled with rage, laughed coldly: "Ha, how arrogant! What a bold claim! Last time, that beast blocked my way, allowing you to escape by sheer luck. Since you insist on seeking death today, I shall accompany you on your journey!"

In the blink of an eye, three years have passed

The choice between sacrificing one's life and merely surviving, between enduring pain and bearing humiliation, is akin to the harmonious blend of autumn waters and the vast sky.

Meanwhile, the man in the red robe pointed at the severely injured man and shouted, "Take him down!"

The current foremost villain of the Central Plains martial arts world is no longer those outdated tales of the Living Dead Mountain.

Li Yan really wanted to pat her chest and say, "Uncle, rest assured, I will definitely protect you completely," but she could not—no matter how much she was willing to take risks herself, she could not take risks for her elder brother and sister, so she could only watch Zhou Fei with longing.

Tong Kaiyang had just recognized his swordsmanship, and he had casually mentioned it to disturb his state of mind. Who would have thought that he had accomplices behind him? At this moment, upon hearing this question, he was momentarily at a loss for words.

Zhou Fei smiled and said, "Thank you."

"You cannot defeat him." Zhou Fei pushed the tip of his sword aside and then sighed as if resigned, saying, "You handle the others, get rid of those two troublesome ones at the back, and step aside."

Li Yan whispered to him, "Uncle, why is Beidou chasing you? Are you, like General Wu, actually from the Southern Dynasty, and have they discovered it?"

To avoid the ravages of war, these itinerant merchants typically traveled along the eastern coastal line, most passing through Jinan. As a result, local markets gradually emerged, and in such times, an inexplicable and peculiar prosperity seemed to arise out of thin air

Someone slammed the table in indignation and exclaimed: "This is too much!"

In September of the same year, the flames of war erupted from Shu, resembling a torrential downpour of boiling water, uncontrollably engulfing more than half of the territory. Cao Ning and Zhou Yitang engaged in close combat, each experiencing victories and defeats, with more than ten cities on the front line changing hands repeatedly.

Li Sheng: "..."

The shopkeeper was startled by her words and cautiously reached out to shake the man. Seeing his ashen face and bluish lips, it was evident that he was in a dire condition. As he shook him, the man's arm, which had been resting on his waist, fell down, and a smell of blood wafted from his waist. Upon closer inspection, the blood had already soaked through his black clothing to some extent, indicating that his injuries were quite severe

Soon, Liu Youliang began to gasp for breath and added, "It's not... cough... I don't know what that water ripple thing is that you all are fighting over in the name of 'Sea and Sky', nor do I know why it has to use the name 'Sea and Sky'... During the incident in the old capital years ago, some people left and escorted the young lord south at the cost of their lives, while others stayed behind and endured humiliation and hardship. We all knew that between leaving and staying, we might never see each other again. So, before we left, we made a covenant called 'Sea and Sky'..."

However, just when she thought she was about to sacrifice herself, the formation of the Big Dipper in front of her suddenly became chaotic. She heard a sharp neighing sound coming closer and closer. Then, a horse rushed over, and the rider held two swords in his hands. He made precise moves and quickly defeated several black-clothed individuals along the way, heading straight towards Li Yan. He shouted at her, "Li Dazhuang!"

Forcing a group of thugs to reform.

The middle-aged man in the red robe glanced at him and said with a smile, "What, can't we stay at an inn if there's nothing else to do?"

Zhou Fei: "... ..."

The Iron-faced Demon has peculiar tastes; as soon as he emerged, he first dealt with the malevolent Xuanwu Lord Ding Kui, and then proceeded to conquer the Living and Dead Mountain

Liu Youliang did not respond, swayed on the horse's back a couple of times, and then fell headlong down.

Tong Kaiyang glanced at Li Sheng and said with a smile that did not reach his eyes, "So it is your elder brother."

Tong Kaiyang held himself in high regard, considering his dagger, which was merely a standard accessory for ordinary military officials, to be more decorative than practical. It was evident that he had not taken the pursuit of Liu Youliang seriously at all, and he was increasingly impatient with the entanglement of someone like Li Cheng. Suddenly, he swung his dagger down towards Li Cheng's head. Li Cheng did not dare to block it and retreated several steps. He saw that Tong Kaiyang was merely swinging the dagger in the air, yet a narrow mark over two feet long appeared on the ground.

In the midst of the gathering, a moment of silence fell. These individuals, who had traveled far and wide, were as tough as rolled meat. When discussing mountains of gold and silver, they all displayed an air of wealth and arrogance, looking down upon others. Yet at this moment, they seemed to transform, becoming weak and helpless commoners, anxiously worrying about their uncertain futures.

Liu Youliang said in a deep voice: "General Wu's loyalty and righteousness will last for eternity"

Without a moment's hesitation, she leaped down from the galloping horse, rolled on the ground, and then got up to run back.

Li Yan was momentarily taken aback by the implications of the statement. The expression of the seasoned individuals present subtly changed—Beidou had been relentlessly pursuing Liu Youliang, and aside from his wrongdoing, it was undoubtedly because he had learned some critical secret. The man in the red robe was threatening him; should he utter even a single word, regardless of whether those present heard it or not, Beidou would ensure total annihilation.

Zhou Fei released her grip, calmly nodded at Liu Youliang, and leaned against the nearby wall with the broken cover in hand. Her posture was extremely relaxed, as if she paid no attention to the approaching footsteps and the chaos ahead. This inadvertently made Li Yan also relax for no apparent reason, as if with Zhou Fei present, she was indifferent to whether the sky was falling or the ground was collapsing outside.

"No need for that," said the man in the official robe, waving his hand and adopting a stern expression. "The Beidou is apprehending state-designated criminals; bystanders are to withdraw. Those who obstruct will be treated as accomplices!"

The shopkeeper was very nimble, quickly preparing a package of steaming dry rations in just a few moments, with thick slices of braised meat stuffed in between. He filled a pot with rice wine to ward off the cold and quench thirst, and jogged over to the man, softly calling out: "Sir, sir"

In the bustling streets and rural areas, numerous rascally and unscrupulous tactics seem almost innate, and those people are like the wild grass growing beneath the rocky cliffs; while they cannot be described as lush and verdant, they are at least still alive. As the situation on the northern and southern frontlines suddenly intensifies, only Cao Ning can serve as a restraint. With the outbreak of war, he must not be moved under any circumstances. The Crown Prince of the Northern Dynasty can only watch helplessly as Cao Ning grows in power within the military. It is as if he is holding a vicious dog against a pack of wolves; letting go is not an option, but neither is holding on. With no other recourse, he racked his brains to command people to gather various folk remedies, hoping that Cao Zhongkun would not pass away at this critical juncture.

The man in the red robe sighed and advised, "You should stop resisting stubbornly."

Li Sheng : `` ... ... ''

The Beidou members, well-trained, formed a circle, trapping the severely injured person in the center

This thought flashed through Li Yan's mind, and she quietly pushed the knife away a little.

Zhou Fei asked, "What is this?"

Afterwards, he didn't make much movement. His figure flashed and he somehow appeared at the door. The fancy dagger in his hand was wider than an ordinary man's palm, and he rolled towards the injured man like a venomous snake. The injured man dared not confront him head-on, so he retreated. The man in the red official robe sneered and delivered three consecutive strikes. Each move was as fast as the previous one, yet his robe and sleeves remained motionless. With three moves, he forced the person who had already reached the door back into the inn. The injured man dared not confront him head-on, so he retreated. The man in the red official robe sneered and delivered three consecutive strikes. Each move was as fast as the previous one, yet his robe and sleeves remained motionless. With three moves, he forced the person who had already reached the door back into the inn.

Not bad, I managed to pass on the message to the Traveling Merchant Gang when I was in the old capital. By now, I believe your esteemed self has already received it. It's just that at that time, I was a bit careless and fell into the trap of villains, otherwise it wouldn't have been so easy for Tong Kaiyang to stumble upon it. Liu Youliang struggled to reach into his pocket, feeling around for a while before pulling out a small box the size of a palm. Faded flowers and plants were painted on it, resembling an old rouge box. "But it doesn't matter, I originally..."

Zhou Fei was willing to risk her life, while Tong Kaiyang was more cautious. At this moment, seeing that Liu Youliang's shadow had completely vanished, Tong Kaiyang naturally did not wish to entangle himself with her. He let out a cold snort, discarded the broken dagger, and whistled, saying: "Chase!"

The shop assistant dared not persuade any further, responded with an acknowledgement, took the wine jug, but did not take the silver coins, and swiftly ran to the kitchen.

At that moment, a sudden roar from the old scholar was heard: "Stop! You... you... Southern country rascals are just over ten miles away, how dare you disgrace the scholarly tradition like this!"

Among the existing Four Great Beidou, Li Yan has seen two. However, having heard that Shen Tianshu is a gaunt one-armed man, his appearance does not match that of this middle-aged official. She pondered: Could it be that the Beidou's "Wuqiu" is Tong Kaiyang?

Li Sheng has already engaged in a confrontation with Tong Kaiyang. As soon as he made his move, Tong Kaiyang frowned, realizing that he had underestimated this young man. Yet, Li Sheng smiled at him and said: "Lord Tong, you have been famous for a long time. I have long wished to pay my respects. Today, having this opportunity to become acquainted through a contest, I hope you will generously offer your guidance."

He half-closed his eyes, coughed a few times with wheezing breath, and said, "Because Cao Zhongkun died."

"Southern Sword." Liu Youliang interrupted Li Yan before she could finish, saying, "I know, you are more famous in the Northern Dipper than in the Southern martial arts world. After all, not everyone dares to set fire at Tong Kaiyang's residence... Miss Zhou is indeed meticulous—Tong Kaiyang does not dare, because the current Grand Scholar of the Southern National Academy is the prince's maternal uncle, and there is no stronger faction than the prince's party... As for why Tong Kaiyang does not want to offend the prince at this critical moment, cough... Miss Zhou is indeed meticulous—Tong Kaiyang does not dare, because the current Grand Scholar of the Southern National Academy is the prince's maternal uncle, and there is no stronger faction than the prince's party... As for why Tong Kaiyang does not want to offend the prince at this critical moment, cough...

Yet a person who has worn an iron mask for many years has gained widespread fame

He suddenly flicked his sleeve, easily shaking off the shopkeeper's nunchaku. The frail old man then sidestepped and stood beside Liu Youliang, whispering, "This guest carries a token of our sect; anyone who sees this token must obey his commands. The guest is benevolent and does not wish to impose, but we cannot just stand by and watch him face difficulties. Lord Tong, please forgive us."

Before this news had the chance to bring joy to those who despise evil, everyone noticed that the Iron-faced Demon was even more formidable than the previous four, with a skill for stirring up trouble that was truly reminiscent of "the waves of the Yangtze River pushing the waves ahead"

"It is a seamless blend of sea and sky | Covenant." Liu Youliang said

Liu Youliang did not expect that the one who made a move would be such a little girl. He was slightly surprised, but before he could react, he saw the leader of the group of people, Beidou, let out a few high and low howls, and countless dark shadows rushed out from both sides of the road.

Li Yan angrily said: "Li Que De, are you looking for death? That is the 'Wu Qu' of the Big Dipper!"

Li Sheng : `` ... ... ''

This person did not bring any rain gear, drenched from head to toe by the rain, his face pale, with a hint of bruising at the corner of his eye. He had a handsome appearance, yet his expression was quite tense. When he entered, he stood at the door and scanned the entire lobby of the inn with a somewhat hostile gaze, then tightened his shoulders and walked in with a heavy sword. Many timid guests thought he was there to seek revenge, and those who had been speaking in low voices fell silent. Unexpectedly, as he entered, he accidentally tripped over the threshold of the inn, stumbling forward and nearly falling. He placed a large hand against the wall and took a moment to catch his breath.

The person on horseback wore a bamboo hat, held a long knife in hand, dismounted, handed over the reins, and nodded, saying: "Excuse me."

Lin Jinchong glared at her and said: "The hearts of people are no longer as they used to be, the hearts of people are no longer as they used to be! Zhou girl, if you cannot learn to be knowledgeable and reasonable, do not think about entering my house."

The outside became quiet for a while, and then, the old master began to fussily maintain the order among the students for a time before starting to lead them in reciting scriptures

Liu Youliang's cold sweat trickled down from his damp, un-dried temples, his lips trembled incessantly, yet he remained silent.

This girl is Li Yan. Three years ago, in a moment of mischief, she stubbornly insisted on following Zhou Fei and the others to leave home without permission. Although Zhou Yitang was there to protect her on the way back, she still received a good beating from the chief. Li Yan had been pampered since childhood and had little experience with being punished. Unexpectedly, by the time she was around fourteen or fifteen years old, she made a huge mistake. It is said that her wailing echoed for three days, with the sound lingering for a long time, frightening a group of young disciples in the Forty-Eight Villages.

The girl didn't say anything and made a casual gesture.

The previously spoken Beidou Dao: "However, if a mere true account were to let the imperial criminal escape, would you take responsibility for that?"

Li Yan: "Just... just like this..."

Li Sheng, upon hearing this, glanced at him thoughtfully, then looked at Tong Kaiyang. After a moment, he slipped something into Li Yan's hand and briefly instructed her: "You go ahead."

This year in Jinan Prefecture, it is inexplicable how there has been so much rainfall. Heavy rain has fallen day and night for an entire day and night, saturating the ground with cold rain. The lingering heat has finally become unsustainable, collapsing and sinking into the ground, while the yellowing leaves have fallen, forming a thick layer.

He realized that he had underestimated Li Yan, only knowing that she could get into trouble, but not that she could cause such a significant disaster

Zhou Fei pretended to call out twice, turning to Tong Kaiyang with an innocent expression and saying: "It seems they have left first. Should I write you an IOU?"

Li Yan stared at him in amazement. The old man smiled at her and said, "Oh, this little girl is also very pretty. Have you read the Four Books? Which section of the Five Classics do you like to read?"

Tong Kaiyang exchanged over ten moves with her amidst the cocoon-like glint of the blade, and surprisingly retreated six steps. Then he let out a loud shout, gripping the knife handle with both hands, the veins on the back of his hands bulging. Suddenly, he exerted force; while the knife had its limits, the momentum of the blade did not wane, roaring like an invisible giant dragon charging towards Zhou Fei. Zhou Fei gently squinted her eyes, surprisingly neither retreating nor evading, directly meeting it with a move of the character 'cut'.

After speaking, before Li Yan could react, Li Sheng suddenly flipped off his horse, his long legs sweeping away several people surrounding him. At the same time, he slapped the horse on the back, finally getting it to obey. Immediately, the horse galloped away. Li Sheng whistled, and surprisingly, the horse Li Yan was riding also obeyed him, completely ignoring Liu Youliang's command on its back, and followed Li Yan out.

Li Sheng reached out and touched her shameless dog head, without showing any mercy, he said, "Nonsense... sigh, I better come back as soon as possible."

The female guest smiled briefly, raised her hand, and a red shadow flashed in her palm, revealing a five-bat seal carved from agate.

The ground is like this, so you can imagine the result of hitting a person.

Lin Jin poked her with a cane, and the goatee playfully perked up: "I am your master uncle"

Zhou Fei paused for a moment and asked in a low voice, "What?"

Where would Liu Youliang be willing to back down? Just as he was about to argue, the shopkeeper interjected, "If the master is willing to reveal the Tianfu Order, there must be a matter of life and death at stake. Why delay any longer!"

The man's knees suddenly lost strength, and he sat down heavily, causing the chair to squeak. Leaning against the wall next to him, he closed his eyes. His chest rose and fell weakly, whether he fell asleep or passed out, it was unclear.

Li Sheng said word by word: "Tong Daren, when you investigate the criminals against the court, don't you know how to write the four words 'kill for a life'?"

Suddenly, a middle-aged man with a sharp nose and a gaunt face at the next table said: "I don't know if you all have heard, but a while ago, I had an old friend who was a cloth merchant. While traveling on business, he encountered 'that'.

Li Yan immediately remembered the words that Liu Youliang almost said before, and quickly introduced: "This is my sister, she is the head of our family..."

Liu Youliang listened, gritted his teeth fiercely, and suddenly clasped his fists, saying: "Brother, we met by chance, and I am deeply grateful for your great kindness."

The female guest in the corner was originally sipping her soup when she suddenly choked upon hearing the words. She had added a handful of spice to her soup, causing her eyes to redden. In a hurry, she reached for her tea. Fortunately, everyone else was preoccupied with their own troubles and did not notice her. She glanced around and quietly tucked the long knife that had been set aside under the table, hanging it on her waist on the wall side. The handle brushed against a pouch at her waist, and after a moment's thought, she unfastened that pouch and stuffed it into her bosom.

Li Yan almost cried: "Brother!"

The entire court, with the crows silenced.

Although Jinan Prefecture is located within the territory of the Northern Dynasties, it is currently relatively peaceful

Li Sheng frowned. The move he just used was derived from a sword technique he learned when he was young in the Xiaoxiang Sword Sect. Although it was different now, he could still vaguely see some shadows of it. Several years ago, after Madam Wang and others went down the mountain to look for Zhang Chenfei and others, they never came back. Li Jinrong was worried and sent people to secretly investigate several times, but there has been no news so far. At this moment, for some reason, Li Sheng suddenly had a bad feeling when he heard Tong Kaiyang's laughter.

The Beidou by my side quickly caught up and in the blink of an eye, its trace disappeared.

If this gap were delayed for another minute, Tong Kaiyang's dominance would be as substantial as the actual blade wind. If it were delayed for another minute, the split would be more than just the straw hat. ... And she could have clearly avoided it just now, but she had to face the blade wind and almost desperately take the challenge, laying out a gamble of putting her own life on the edge of the blade...! ... And she won the gamble!

Even if it's Zhou Fei and Li Sheng, the first time they went out was just a follower's task—although it later coincidentally changed its nature—so Li Yan came out this time just to follow Li Sheng to familiarize herself with the route, except for scolding her brother a few times for no reason, she didn't need to take care of anything.

On the third day of April, Tai Shifan Zheng, along with thirteen party members and important ministers, was unexpectedly raided and investigated. Three days later, the Crown Prince Kang, due to his lax control over his subordinates and allowing slaves to commit crimes, was accused of "raising dozens of warriors in the mansion, with an abundance of knives and axes, indulging in debauchery, and having no intention of plotting rebellion. How could he not have the ambition to usurp the throne?" The Emperor Jianyuan, furious at these crimes, ordered the removal of Crown Prince Kang from his position and confined him to the mansion, awaiting further punishment. That night, his mother, the noble concubine Lady Fan, took her own life within the palace walls.

Li Sheng's face turned pale, and his ears turned red on the spot. However, his dual swords remained unchanged in momentum. Tong Kaiyang swung his long sleeves, intending to trap Li Sheng's swords within them. At the same time, his dagger emitted a strange howl as it stabbed towards Li Sheng's left chest. Before the two could engage in close combat, Tong Kaiyang suddenly felt a strong gust of wind coming from behind him. The force was not to be underestimated. He furrowed his brows, a fierce expression appearing on his face, hastily turning around to deflect Li Sheng's sword and evading to the side. Only a "thud" sound was heard as the object that came flying towards him turned out to be a scabbard. It landed right in the middle of two intersecting marks on the ground, as if a piece had been placed on a chessboard. Before the two could engage in close combat, Tong Kaiyang suddenly felt a strong gust of wind coming from behind him. The force was not to be underestimated. He furrowed his brows, a fierce expression appearing on his face, hastily turning around to deflect Li Sheng's sword and evading to the side. Only a "thud" sound was heard as the object that came flying towards him turned out to be a scabbard. It landed right in the middle of two intersecting marks on the ground, as if a piece had been placed on a chessboard.

That female guest was taken aback. She didn't expect the local gang to be so peculiar, actually making a big show of doing business. She couldn't help but turn her head and ask, "What?"

The conical hat on Zhou Fei's head was split by the knife wind, suddenly splitting into two halves, falling to the ground on both sides of her shoulders. At the point where the two weapons clashed, Tong Kaiyang's dagger was chipped by the precious sword, creating a gap!

Tong Kaiyang certainly would not admit that his martial arts skills were inferior to this little yellow-haired girl, but it seems that three years ago, after his palm failed to eradicate the problem at its root, Zhou Fei gained a terrifying madness, as if she had become addicted to falling, and no one knew when she would go rogue and hang herself and others on a cliff.

Zhou Fei had no expression on his face as he said, "Who are you, senior martial brother? I don't have a monk as my master."

Zhou Fei paused for a moment, and his gaze settled firmly on Li Yan's face for a moment, then said, "Because the people who used to guide me are no longer by my side."

It can be seen from this that Xie Yun's "cheapness" is by no means innate, but has a history.

After finishing speaking, without waiting for Liu Youliang to stop him, the shopkeeper said, "Dear friends, I apologize, but the store will be closed today. I would like to treat you all to a meal with drinks and food. There is no need to pay for it. Please find another place to stay while it is still daylight."

Zhou Fei's expression suddenly changed.

Li Sheng suddenly turned around and held his two swords flat. He saw Tong Kaiyang curling his lips and coldly laughing, "That old woman is somewhat interesting, but unfortunately she overestimates her abilities. Why seek revenge? At her age, she should stay at home and wait for death instead of attempting assassinations. Haha!"

Zhou Fei, who didn't know where she was, had not acquired the ability of a fox spirit, but the Beidou Sect members had already rushed up.

Li Yan felt that she saw the blue veins on Zhou Fei's forehead, then she saw the old man who was walking unsteadily take a step forward, as if picking up a piece of paper, avoiding Liu Youliang's wound, easily grabbing his belt, and lifting the burly man onto his shoulder.

Li Yan pulled the reins and said, "Whoa, stop, stop!"

Zhou Fei suddenly raised one hand and pressed it on Li Sheng's sword.

He just escaped outside the city, his vision already blurred. He barely managed to support himself by lying on the horse's back. Liu Youliang bit his tongue hard, trying to regain some consciousness. Suddenly, the galloping horse let out a miserable cry, and its front legs knelt down, throwing the person on its back out - there was actually a trip-horse rope on the ground.

"You can't help with anything if there's a problem," Li Sheng urged calmly, "But since Tong Kaiyang saw us leave, he won't linger with her for long. It won't be long before he catches up. Let's go, after all, this is the jurisdiction of the Northern Zhou Dynasty."

Liu Youliang is panting like a broken bellows, and you can hear the wheezing sound coming from his lungs.

From a distance, Li Yan recognized the person and immediately turned pale, saying, "This is not good!"

Since then, Li Yan has finally put some effort into martial arts. At the beginning of the year, she finally obtained her departure token by a narrow margin, thanks to her performance in the four paper flowers of Xiushan Hall.

Li Yan turned around and shouted loudly at Li Sheng, who was still standing in the same place, saying, "Brother!"

A light sound of "huā lā" rang out, and the nunchaku flew out of nowhere, accurately hanging between the person in the red robe and Liu You's weapon. It spun in the air, momentarily freezing the movements of the two.

Mrs. Wang, Brother Chenfei, and Majili... Also, Xie Yun.

When traveling outside, one inevitably has to deal with people such as innkeepers, boatmen, and shopkeepers. Therefore, any successful merchant must have some connections with these people. In Jinan Prefecture, there is a guesthouse called "Hongyun Inn," which was originally a black market under the control of the itinerant gang. However, in recent years, the guests who have stayed there have all been wealthy people carrying "bat orders." This has caused the inn to become extremely busy, even busier than other legitimate businesses. The owners became too busy to cheat people and eventually, the inn was forcibly transformed into a legitimate business and even expanded to a second floor.

Tong Kaiyang was so angry at her unreasonable request that he was about to explode. However, he knew that dealing with this tricky little demon girl was not easy, especially with Li Sheng, who was also skilled, by her side. If they really started fighting, he might not end up in a good situation. If he really made a mistake and fell into the hands of these younger generations, he might become a joke in the martial arts world in the future.

The man in the red robe said disdainfully, "I'll compensate you for those shoddy wooden tables, chairs, and stools. Old man, it's none of your business, so get lost!"

The man, drenched from head to toe, took a deep breath and managed to straighten his back, seemingly looking for a place to rest temporarily. However, upon glancing around, he noticed that all the traveling merchants wore expressions of hesitation, quickly averting their gazes and refusing to meet his eyes, yet secretly stealing glances at him one by one.

Liu Youliang was awakened by a bowl of cold water from Li Yan in the Hongyun Inn. It is already a miracle that he has managed to hold on until now. Unable to hold on any longer, in a dazed state, he involuntarily pulled the reins to maintain balance. The horse slowed down as he pulled, and in the end, with a pair of bewildered eyes, it almost came to a stop in its tracks.

Zhou Fei walked over, leaning on a broken umbrella, half-kneeling in front of Liu Youliang, staring at him and said, "If it's just a piece of news, Lord Liu can easily pass on the message without making such a fuss."

Liu Youliang is tall and has a sturdy build. He is not one to talk or laugh often, perhaps due to his sharp and piercing gaze that often seems to carry a hint of murderous intent. At first glance, he appears to be a wild wolf with sharp claws and a taste for blood, but in reality, he is merely a sheep in wolf's clothing. At this point, regardless of whether his escape is for some unfinished business or simply to save his own life, shouldn't he use every means possible to escape?

He spoke while gesturing with his eyes at the same time

The severely injured man did not know how long he had been pursued; the moment he was splashed with water, he became fully alert, his gaze piercing.

The heavy rain had stopped at an unknown time, yet the sky remained overcast, with mud covering the ground, leaving the entire city of Jinan in a state of disarray. The attendants of the Hongyun Inn engaged in a fierce battle with the black-clad men of the North Star without any hesitation.

There is a saying, "No person can have a thousand good days, and no flower can stay red for a hundred days." The calculation of fortune and misfortune is determined by the heavens, and how can mere mortals fully understand it?

At this point, it doesn't seem like seeking revenge, but rather being hunted.

The foremost action can be described as "exploring its depths, seizing its power, like lightning and thunder"

This voice does not seem to belong to Tong Kaiyang, Li Yan thought to herself, I might still be able to fight... just afraid that they are too many.

Li Yan : `` ... ... ''

As they spoke, the sound of hooves and footsteps approached the entrance, accompanied by the startled exclamations of the slower guests. Li Yan turned her head and was taken aback to see at least one hundred and eighty men in black from the Beidou faction rushing over.

Li Sheng remained silent, still holding his twin swords, pointing them at Tong Kaiyang. Zhou Fei quickly regained her composure and immediately understood Li Sheng's intention

The shop assistant felt quite difficult, not knowing what to do, so he turned back and glanced at the shopkeeper.

Amidst the chaos, the frightened screams of the children echoed, and the footsteps grew increasingly closer. Li Yan suddenly stood up, her body tensed, her palms slick with cold sweat. Her heart raced for a moment, and she made an effort to close her eyes and steady herself, thinking: I will take the initiative; I might as well strike first!

Next to him, someone anxiously asked, "Stop wasting time, and then what?"

Li Yan suddenly felt an inexplicable sense of foreboding. She hurriedly lowered her head and quickly gulped down the remaining noodle soup. Before she had the chance to wipe her mouth clean, she saw several figures in black clothing and conical hats boldly barging in. The leader, with an elongated arm, expressionless, held up a token and arrogantly displayed it to everyone in the hall.

In recent years, unless Li Jinrong summons her back to work, Zhou Fei spends more than half a year outside without knowing where she goes. It seems that she hasn't done anything earth-shattering outside, or perhaps she has, but she didn't leave a name. During holidays and festivals, Zhou Fei always returns home on time, and Li Jinrong doesn't pay much attention to her.

Not bad," Zhou Fei reached out and pulled out the scabbard nailed to the ground, spinning it in her hand. "Tong Daren, for the sake of our past acquaintance, if my brother has done anything offensive, please turn a blind eye."

The children of the Forty-Eight Villages, who among them did not seek treats from the old lady Wang in their childhood? Although Li Sheng had long suspected that the old lady Wang and the others might have met with misfortune, upon hearing these words, he was still filled with rage. Without uttering a word, he unleashed a light hum as he drew his twin swords, executing the ethereal and agile Xiaoxiang Sword Technique aimed directly at Tong Kaiyang's throat and chest. Tong Kaiyang burst into a loud laugh, and within that laughter was a force that could disorient an ordinary person from a distance, let alone Li Sheng, who was right in front of him.

This series of actions must have taken a toll on him; by the time he left the inn, his steps were already unsteady. He whistled to summon his horse and, gritting his teeth, shouted "Giddy up." At the same time, four or five members of the Beidou rushed forward. Liu Youliang swept his heavy sword and struck down two of them, but a sharp pain shot through his waist, leaving him momentarily unable to turn the situation around. Just then, he heard two muffled groans, and the remaining members of the Beidou actually retreated, covering their faces.

As soon as he finished speaking, the blade that could split the heavens and the earth was already descending towards Zhou Fei's head.

Zhou Fei glanced over the list. Even though she now possessed a keen sense of observation and hearing, many names on the list remained quite unfamiliar to her. This was because some individuals likely achieved little throughout their lives, failing to ascend to high positions like General Wu and accomplish anything of value. Instead, they languished in lowly official ranks, quietly aging and dying amidst years of confusion and anxiety. Others simply became embroiled in different matters, in the tumultuous Northern Dynasty, sharing a deep-seated loyalty with countless others who were lost in petty squabbles and power struggles, ultimately perishing in irrelevance.

Li Yan brandished her knife and walked out of the Hongyun Inn along with the crowd, but unlike others, she did not walk far. With a quick glance, she leaped up and climbed a large tree, hiding herself behind the dense shadows of the branches.

Li Sheng frowned slightly and lowered his head to give Li Yan a questioning look—who is this person you saved

The Hongyun Inn was quite lively, with the lobby nearly filled to capacity. Several waitstaff were about to develop lightning-fast legs as they weaved back and forth among the crowd, their feet moving with skill. A female guest casually ordered a bowl of hot noodle soup, clearly hungry. Once the noodles were served, she immersed herself in the steaming white vapor, eating while listening to the people nearby boast and chat for entertainment. This place was predominantly filled with merchants, reeking of the smell of copper; in just a few words, they could steer the conversation back to material possessions, each bragging about their earnings, leaving one unsure of what was true or false, as it sounded like every household had a mountain of gold.

Li Yan did not anticipate this twist, her eyes widened in shock

As soon as Li Sheng spoke up, Tong Kaiyang found himself unable to utter the words "take him down" that were stuck in his throat. He was at a loss for whether to shout or remain silent—because Li Sheng disregarded the fact that this was "obstructing official duties" and directly turned the interception into a challenge against Tong Kaiyang himself. Having gained fame for many years, Tong Kaiyang also valued his reputation in front of his subordinates. If he did not personally deal with this young man today, how could he establish his authority?

Zhou Fei whispered: "Li Yan"

As she tilted her head, the shop assistant clearly saw her face and thought to himself, "What a beauty," his smile becoming three parts more genuine as he shamelessly accompanied it with laughter, saying, "Isn't the situation stronger than the person? We are all being forced into this."

The red-robed official cast a meaningful glance over the oblivious onlookers in the inn and said with a profound smile: "I know that Commander Liu is soft-hearted; if it were something serious, he would certainly not speak of it here, for that would implicate the innocent people of this inn"

Li Yan still thought it was a joke that this old scholar was so pedantic. Although she found the insult to the Big Dipper as "an affront to culture" somewhat amusing, she couldn't help but feel a bit worried, thinking to herself: What if that old bookworm offends the Big Dipper for no reason and brings trouble upon them?

Slow down," Tong Kaiyang continued, "Your brother can certainly leave, but that criminal Liu Youliang has committed heinous crimes. I must bring him to justice. I trust that Miss Zhou would not obstruct official duties without reason, would she?

The female guest waved her hand, simply saying, "There is no need to disturb like this," and then walked straight in, finding a small corner by the door to sit down, facing the main entrance, as if she were waiting for someone

Liu Youliang pressed his hand against the wound at his waist, managing a difficult smile as he whispered, "Indeed, although the old Mr. Lin is merely a minor lecturer, his reputation is quite significant. He is essentially an old scholar, muddled in his actions and speech, sometimes even speaking in a disordered manner, truly unfit for an official position. Yet, he has been exceptionally fortunate; in his early years, he opened a private school to take in students, teaching only basic literacy courses like the Thousand Character Classic. Unexpectedly, several of his students went on to achieve the highest honors in the imperial examinations, and even the current ceremonial master once studied under him. Many children from scholarly families believe that being guided by him will surely lead to great literary talent in the future, and it has almost become a local saying.

"Five Bats!" The innkeeper was taken aback, immediately realizing that the visitor must have a deep connection with the traveling gang. He quickly bent his waist and said, "Please come in, do make yourself comfortable! If there is anything you need, feel free to command us. If there is something you wish to eat that we do not have, we can send someone to the street to fetch it for you."

Liu Youliang finally shouted loudly and desperately climbed up.

The man in the red robe angrily exclaimed: "You dare, old fool!"

The shopkeeper let out a whistle, surrounding Tong Kaiyang with several people, and without looking back, shouted to Liu Youliang: "Lord Liu, hurry and leave!"

Li Yan's vision blurred for a moment, and she saw the severely injured man suddenly turn over and rise, a heavy sword held horizontally across his chest. With a sound akin to a dragon emerging from the water, he swept across the chest of the first North Dipper who charged forward. His techniques were devoid of any flashy moves, each strike landing with precision. He surged against the tide of the North Dippers, exuding an unparalleled dominance, and in the blink of an eye, he had already reached the doorway

Li Yan vowed earnestly, "Brother, you can rest assured, I am the most reliable!"

As soon as Li Sheng left, Li Yan became alert. She nestled in the backyard of the sage's temple, straining her ears to listen to the commotion ahead. There was an elderly gentleman speaking, his voice sounding as if a chicken feather was stuck in his throat, dragging out a hoarse tone as he recited, "The sage has said." He would recite a line and then instruct the group of children to repeat after him. The children, who had only recently begun their education and had not read much, struggled to understand the elderly gentleman's accented speech, resulting in a group of students who could only mimic him like parrots, producing responses that were completely off the mark, which was quite amusing. In that same manner, he continued to say, "The sage has said," reciting a line and prompting the children to follow suit. The children, likely still new to learning, had not read much, and the elderly gentleman's accent left them largely confused, only able to parrot back his words, creating a delightful mismatch in their responses.

Zhou Fei pushed Li Sheng away with one hand, her entire body pivoting on one foot as she turned more than half a circle. She flipped her wrist and positioned the tip of the broken blade against him, as if the tip of the blade had been bent into an arc by an immense force. With a flick of her wrist, the long knife emitted a sound that seemed to resonate endlessly, suddenly bouncing Tong Kaiyang back, and then the long knife coiled around Tong Kaiyang like flowing clouds and water.

Lin Jin listened, and a rather lewd smile appeared on his face. Cloaked in the guise of an old scholar, he physically demonstrated what it means to be "hypocritically righteous," saying, "Sooner or later, you will have to admit it, hehe."

Li Sheng had just overheard the new and old grievances between Zhou Fei and Beidou, and he furrowed his brows in silence. Although Zhou Fei did not mention it, Li Sheng, being perceptive, could roughly guess why Zhou Fei often clashed with Beidou over "the matter of opening a pharmacy." He thought to himself: right, it seems he had heard her casually mention that... Young Master Xie’s master’s sect is located in the Penglai area, which should not be far from here, could it be...

The old man immediately retorted with eloquence, saying: "If you are here to apprehend a wanted criminal, then you should go and catch him yourself. What is the reason for coming here to make things difficult for a group of students? I believe it is you who intends to let the wanted criminal escape!"

Lin Jin, like an old monkey, bounced away, laughing heartily, carrying the utterly bewildered Commander Liu, and with a leap, he suddenly vanished without a trace

The last person alive must deliver this covenant and list to the south, so that even if we die quietly, there will always be a public record in the annals of history. It is laughable that Tong Kaiyang, who is alarmed by the slightest sound, thinks this is some important secret and wants to obtain this list from me to track down each individual for retribution.

Li Yan felt a lump in her throat, always expecting to hear a scream at any moment. However, after an awkward silence on the other side, Beidou, who spoke next, stopped his indignant companion. The man was likely a minor leader under Tong Kaiyang, and from his voice, one could tell he was wearing a face of humiliation and burden. He said: "So it is Mr. Lin, I have long admired your name. Since you are a gentleman, you naturally would not hide anything. If we have disturbed you, we shall take our leave!"

At that moment, a sharp whinnying of horses suddenly came from outside the inn. It seemed as if a large group of people was hastily approaching through the rain.

Li Yan was actually not very clear, so she could only quietly share the snippets she had heard from others with him. Li Sheng held the reins in one hand and rested the other on the sword at his waist, frowning as if lost in thought. Suddenly, he turned to Liu Youliang and said: "This Liu... Commander, do you still remember General Zhongwu?"

However, after a moment, the footsteps gradually faded away, and the formidable Beidou unexpectedly retreated

Zhou Fei smiled quickly and was about to say something when Li Sheng interjected, "Before we discuss official matters, I would like to ask Lord Tong, is what you just told me about Madam Wang of 'Xiaoxiang' true?"

The Southern Dynasties, which had been dormant for over twenty years, are also undergoing tremendous changes

At this moment, the people in the inn were already frightened and scattered in all directions, with broken cups and plates everywhere, and the once bustling hall that seemed to be filled to the brim suddenly had a large area emptied out

Tong Kaiyang's eye corner twitched uncontrollably once again

Li Sheng warned: "Zhou Fei."

The Emperor of the Southern Dynasties, during the late spring, suddenly held an ancestral worship ceremony at the Grand Ancestral Temple, vowing to reclaim lost territories and unify the North and South. Thereafter, he transformed from his previous gentle demeanor, revealing his fully developed fangs.

Only the Beidou token was seen leading the way, followed by several men in black, who entered in single file and then stood in two rows. Subsequently, a middle-aged man walked in slowly, with the men in black behind him respectfully holding an umbrella for him. This man had a dignified appearance, dressed in a crimson official robe, wearing black boots, and holding a ceremonial sword in his hand, looking so composed that he could directly attend a court session.

Liu Youliang had no time to think about who was helping him; he simply shouted "Thank you" and galloped away on his horse

Then the old master continued to speak in a voice that was painful to the ears: "I am Lin Jin, a true scholar from the Southern Country, a disciple of the sage. Although my status is humble, how can I sit idly by and watch you all act so recklessly? I would like to inquire which general is passing by today, making such a great commotion and displaying such authority!"

Li Sheng originally intended to send her to a small inn less than half a mile away for a bowl of noodles, planning to return shortly. However, Li Yan had hardly ever left the side of the elders and siblings in the village since childhood, except for that one time when she was taken away by Yang Jin. Suddenly being left alone felt like a canary that had just been released from its cage for the first time in its life—yearning to flutter its wings and soar into the sky in joy, yet also feeling a vague sense of unease. Therefore, she tried her best to put on a calm demeanor as if she had experienced the world, treating the small Hongyun Inn in Jinan City as a place of adventure.

Liu Youliang was taken aback and asked, "May I inquire about your esteemed teacher, Miss?"

Li Yan : `` ... ... ''

Li Yan was taken aback for a moment and said with some surprise: "Are you really going to tell this news to Cao... that big fat guy?"

Li Yan desperately tried to turn the horse's head, and the horse seemed to possess a certain intelligence, understanding Li Sheng's intention. It shook its large head from side to side, refusing to comply with her wishes. In her anger, Li Yan slapped its forehead and exclaimed, "You rascal!"

Currently, the capital is shrouded in secrecy regarding the death, a piece of information known only to the Empress, the Crown Prince, and a few of us present in the palace. The Crown Prince intends to take advantage of this opportunity to eliminate the supporters of the Duke of Duan in the capital and seize the throne ahead of time, strictly prohibiting the dissemination of this news. At that time, we were all confined within the palace, and anyone daring to leave even a step would be treated as a criminal. Liu Youliang shrugged and said, 'Thus, Liu has 'conspired to rebel.''

After a while, someone said: "I have heard that the demon is not invincible; back in the day in Yongzhou, he was once defeated by the subordinates of 'Nan Dao'"

One person and one horse rested in place for a moment. Zhou Fei glanced back at the path she had come from, frowned slightly, and ultimately decided to ride after Li Cheng and the others.

The man felt quite uncomfortable upon seeing her. After a while, he noticed an empty stool in the corner by the door, which belonged to the solitary female guest's table. He hesitated for a moment, then walked over and whispered, "Miss, may I sit for a while and rest my feet?"

The old master hurriedly said: "You must not be disrespectful! How dare you... how dare you act recklessly in front of the sage!"

Zhou Fei quickly withdrew her gaze after speaking, and then turned to Liu Youliang, saying: "I know that Tong Kaiyang might be wary of the Southern National Academy, but I did not expect him to be so easily dismissed, leaving after just a few words. If there is no conspiracy, then there must be a reason for it."

The shopkeeper revealed a hint of cold sweat on his forehead and smiled, saying: "Of course, of course, as long as the officials do not mind our humble little shop... Ah, someone come..."

Li Yan and the others are heading straight towards the East China Sea, with Jinan Prefecture being the final stop.

The old proprietor of the Hongyun Inn, seeing that the matter was difficult to resolve, hurriedly stepped forward, gesturing with his hands and bowing, saying: "Esteemed guests! Two esteemed guests, I kindly ask you to show mercy and refrain from resorting to violence in the inn"

The innkeeper's gaunt face revealed a fleeting smile, and then Liu Youliang let out a long howl, retreating from the battle circle. With a sweeping motion of his heavy sword, he cut down seven or eight men in black in one breath, carving a bloody path through the encirclement. He took a deep look back at the inn, stained with blood, and resolutely departed

She vaguely felt that this name sounded familiar, as if she had heard someone mention it on the road, but she couldn't recall at the moment

Tong Kaiyang is indeed formidable, and Zhou Fei did not pursue him. Her wrist felt somewhat numb, and once everyone had left, she sheathed her knife, lowered her head, and used her teeth to tug at the cloth strip of her wrist guard. The strip fell to the ground, revealing her slightly reddened wrist. Zhou Fei whistled, and the horse, which had been quietly waiting at the side, trotted over with trained precision. Zhou Fei took out a handful of beans to feed it, thinking to herself: Tong Kaiyang, you can live a few more days at my expense.

He quickly changed his mind, suppressing his anger, and forced a sinister smile as he said: "Since Miss Zhou has said so, I shall not be unreasonable. Please go ahead!"

This was Li Yan's first time going out openly to handle affairs. She was with Li Sheng, tasked with traveling from west to east on behalf of Li Jinrong. This was a routine "pulse-taking" in the village—a regulation that had been established only after the large-scale infiltration of the forty-eight villages a few years ago. Initially, a batch of letters would be sent out from the village, and several disciples would be dispatched along the routes of these letters to conduct covert investigations on the infiltrators. The individuals responsible for "pulse-taking" did not need to show themselves; they only needed to linger in each location for a few days. Once the letters were sent, they would leave upon seeing no unusual circumstances. This was the routine "pulse-taking" in the village—a regulation that had been established only after the large-scale infiltration of the forty-eight villages a few years ago. Initially, a batch of letters would be sent out from the village, and several disciples would be dispatched along the routes of these letters to conduct covert investigations on the infiltrators. The individuals responsible for "pulse-taking" did not need to show themselves; they only needed to linger in each location for a few days. Once the letters were sent, they would leave upon seeing no unusual circumstances.

Liu Youliang said in a low voice: "Shopkeeper, there is no need to..."

Li Yan pointed in the direction where the old master had disappeared and said, "He ... ... He ... ..."

Li Sheng's horse was extremely temperamental, running as if it were about to soar through the clouds, hardly heeding her commands. The sounds of swords and blades were already rising behind them, and Li Yan was on the verge of tears from the reckless galloping of the foolish horse. She immediately yanked the reins back forcefully, causing the stallion to rear up on its hind legs, angrily tossing its head.

Li Yan said with a smile: "I am from the Forty-Eight Villages of Shu, and the daughter of General Zhongwu is still at my home"

At that moment, someone in the audience sighed softly: "But where are these remarkable heroes now? Just look at this world; the demon-slaying champions have shut themselves away, not showing their faces for years, while demons and monsters run rampant, eager for everyone to know their infamous names... Alas, a few years ago, there were rumors that Lord Huo Liantao was a fraud, the true culprit behind his brother's death. I think, it would be better if he were still alive; at least everyone had a leader to rely on. Now, you say Lord Huo is a hypocrite and a true villain, yet those of you who are not hypocrites should stand up and speak a fair word for everyone.

Li Yan listened in a daze

He actually still has the mood to choose those two young people who are utterly clueless to send away... as if Tong Kaiyang would believe it

Unexpectedly, just outside the city, Li Sheng saw something that prompted him to chase after it without hesitation. He hurriedly instructed her to wait at the Hongyun Inn.

Li Sheng then noticed that Li Yan and the others had not yet walked far: "You ... ... "

Emperor Jianyuan is determined to send troops for the northern expedition, and this matter has already been settled.

Li Yan said gloomily, "So how did you find the north later?"

The shopkeeper, holding a pair of nunchaku, smiled and said: "We, as shopkeepers, open our businesses to provide a place for friends to rest and run errands, offering convenience. The other matters are merely ancillary. Now that the 'Heavenly Bat Order' has reemerged, how can we retreat out of fear for our interests? Wouldn't that be putting the cart before the horse?"

Li Sheng no longer wishes to hear the word "brother" from the lips of Zhou Fei and Li Yan

Liu Youliang and Li Yan both changed their expressions, holding their breath simultaneously, as Li Yan slowly grasped her long knife

The iron-faced demon intercepted them along the way, demanding a toll of seventy percent from each person's head. The sharp-faced man said, and upon hearing this, everyone in the room gasped in shock. My friend, being timid and valuing his life, saw that things were not looking good, so he resigned himself to his misfortune. They did not make things difficult for him; after counting the amount, they let him go. However, those who refused to comply and tried to haggle were all left without exception, completely drained by the iron-faced man's ghostly minions.

Li Yan stuck out her tongue, no longer daring to speak foolishly

Indeed, back in Huacheng, Shen Tianshu and Qiu Tianji made such a commotion to force her and Wu Chuchu to appear, the news must have spread widely, and Old Madam Wang could not possibly be unaware of it. ... Although the old madam is usually gentle and kind, her temperament is extremely fierce; if she were to learn that her own child had been harmed, she would certainly not let it go easily ...

The red official robe said: "Liu Youliang, His Majesty has treated you well, yet you are so treacherous?"

Li Sheng said in a deep voice: "A Fei, what do you say?"

Li Yan does not hide her thoughts; what she thinks is clearly visible on her face. Zhou Fei hung the broken pieces at her waist, crossed her arms in front of her chest, and smiled, saying: "What’s the big deal? When I first came down the mountain, I didn’t think of anything either. Without someone to guide me, I couldn’t find my way. Granny Li is even more outrageous than I am; I won’t even mention the ridiculous things she has done."

The Beidou who asked the question snorted coldly: "Zhangqiu City is already under martial law, they cannot enter the city, there is nowhere for them to go—useless old thing, get out of the way! Search thoroughly from front to back!"

Someone whispered: "Iron-faced Demon?"

Li Yanxin said: Let's give it our all

Li Sheng and the others had no choice but to leave markers along the way, following the flow of the Bai Mai River towards Zhangqiu, hoping to find a place to rest. Li Yan, while helping to lead the horse, turned back to look and said, "He seems to have a fever. Should we find a doctor for him—Brother, is Ah Fei alright?"

Li Yan hurriedly said: "Ah, wait..."

Suddenly, a small, tightly shut door on the entrance was pushed open from the inside. An old man with a goatee and a short stature emerged, brushing aside the cobwebs on the door with one hand. Supporting himself against the wall, he shouted in a hoarse voice, pointing at Zhou Fei, "You are being outrageous, showing no respect for your elders, lacking any sense of propriety!"

Zhou Fei's face was obscured by a straw hat, and those nearby could not see her expression; they only noticed her silence for a moment. Li Sheng had grown up with her since childhood and could tell at a glance that Zhou Fei did not actually want to cause trouble; otherwise, she would have acted long ago and would not have wasted so much time talking to Tong Kaiyang. Li Sheng guessed that she was certainly not just "casually wandering" as she had claimed; it was very likely that she was on her way to attend to something important. Passing by outside Jinan City, she had seen the fireworks exploding in Li Yan's arms from a distance and intended to come over to intervene briefly before leaving immediately—Tong Kaiyang was clearly not a problem that could be resolved with just a "brief intervention," so it was best to minimize the situation.

The shopkeeper then realized that the visitor was a young woman, most of her face hidden beneath a wide-brimmed hat, revealing only a slightly pointed chin that was remarkably fair. A few strands of long hair were dampened by the rain, sticking to her ears, exposing a delicate earlobe. Just from her silhouette, it was evident that she was certainly not unattractive.

The members of the traveling sect all possess martial skills, yet their talents vary greatly. This sect, born from hardship, cannot be compared to the well-trained members of the North Star Black Cloaks. Moreover, the North Star has a significant numerical advantage. Before long, only a few masters from the traveling sect can barely hold their ground, while the rest are essentially in disarray.

On that evening, a rather magnificent horse arrived in the rain, whinnying once as it stopped at the door. It tossed its mane, shaking off a cascade of water droplets, and proudly neighed twice.

The Beidou men in black, fearing that the city gates might catch fire and implicate innocent bystanders, retreated in a wide circle. Li Sheng's movements were elusive, shifting and maneuvering, and wherever he passed, the ground would immediately bear several new cuts, crisscrossing like a chessboard. The yellowing leaves by the roadside were forced down by Tong Kaiyang's malevolence, fluttering down like a rain of butterflies. At first glance, it seemed as if a rain of butterflies had fallen, but one had to approach to realize that each leaf had not fallen from its stem; they were all half-leaves, each with a neat and precise cut on top.

He was unwilling to engage in a prolonged battle. After repelling a group of men in black, he grabbed Li Yan by the shoulder, pulled her onto his horse, and blew a whistle. Li Yan's horse, carrying Liu Youliang, quickly followed suit. Just as she was about to catch her breath, a long howl echoed from not far away, causing a heavy sensation in her chest. Li Yan swayed slightly, nearly falling off the horse.

So many people, it's over

Li Yan's ears were extremely sensitive, and she instantly heard several low gasps. From a distance, someone whispered, "My goodness, why has the Big Dipper come!"

Fortunately, although Li Yan did not have a good memory, her hearing was quite sharp. She heard someone well-informed whispering: "Which Liu Youliang? Is it not the Grand Commander Liu Youliang of the Imperial Guard? This is truly strange; how has this high official become a court criminal?"

It was not until this moment that Liu Youliang finally breathed a sigh of relief, heavily leaning his neck, which had been tense, to one side. He spoke in a voice as faint as a wisp of smoke: "Cao Zhongkun's rise to the throne in his early years was neither just nor proper. When he first took power, he had blood on his hands, having caused the deaths of many. However, the lives of those in the underworld were expendable, while the lives of scholars were far more precious. As he grew older, he ultimately lacked the courage to 'burn books and bury scholars,' fearing a legacy of infamy. In recent years, he has shown mercy by establishing the imperial examination and expanding the National University."

Li Sheng ignored her, drawing out his twin swords with a swift motion. While calculating how long he could withstand Tong Kaiyang, he took the initiative and charged forward.

In a flurry of activity, Li Yan heard a "whoosh" sound. Looking down, she saw that Li Sheng had stuffed a firework with a lit fuse into her hand. In a hurry, Li Yan tossed it away, and a small fireball shot into the sky, exploding into a dazzling display of stars.

Li Yanxin said: This person is called "Liu Youliang"

Before he finished speaking, Liu Youliang suddenly stepped forward with his sword drawn, the heavy sword darting towards the face of the man in the red robe like a shooting star. The man in the red robe let out a hearty laugh, as if mocking his opponent's overestimation of his own abilities, and casually responded to the attack.

The middle-aged man dressed in a red official robe shouted: "Trash!"

The emperor, who had been oppressed by the powerful ministers entangled in court politics for over twenty years, was still not satisfied. Within half a month, seven or eight out of the six ministries and nine ministers were replaced, and countless faces that had previously remained inconspicuous suddenly rose to prominence. At the end of the month, the students from the Imperial Academy petitioned before the emperor, but Emperor Jianyuan remained indifferent. The following day, he arrested eight key figures on the charge of "spreading heretical words to confuse the public," implicating several ministers in the court.

Zhou Fei impatiently said: "I haven't eaten your rice, nor have I read your books, so stop pretending to be superior in front of me, and come help me quickly"

Zhou Fei crossed her arms and angrily said: "Go dream!"

The female guest, who was sipping soup, paused for a moment, tilted her head to look over, and interjected, "What is it... isn't the Iron-faced Demon on the Mountain of the Living and the Dead? How did it end up in the east?"

Liu Youliang was first taken aback, and then filled with great joy. Before he had the chance to say anything, he heard a hurried sound of footsteps from outside. The studying students were suddenly interrupted, as if a group of people had rushed into the temple.

Tong Kaiyang's dagger made a "clang" sound as it pressed down on his dual swords. Li Cheng's wrist went numb, yet he remained calm and effortlessly released the force, gliding away like flowing water. Tong Kaiyang suddenly laughed and said: "What a little thief, so you are a disciple of Mount Shu!"

Li Yan leaned on Li Sheng's shoulder and turned back to ask, "Uncle, what is wrong with you?"

The unexpected savior who descended from the heavens was Li Yan. While she quietly observed the situation outside the Hongyun Inn, she saw Liu Youliang escape and followed him all the way here

She casually draped the reins over a tree, reached up to push her hat that was blocking most of her face, glanced at Li Sheng, and slowly spoke, saying: "I was wondering who set off the distress fireworks. If I hadn't happened to be outside Jinan City, did you intend to have those few third-rate characters in the dark come to your rescue? Tsk, Granny Li, what were you thinking?"

In a flurry, she squeezed the horse's belly, urging it to run faster. However, Li Sheng was at a loss, and upon hearing someone speak, his first instinct was to pull on the reins. As a result, one wanted the horse to run while the other wanted it to stop, causing the magnificent steed, forced to carry both of them, to become quite distressed, its powerful front legs restlessly pawing at the ground, nearly stumbling.

Gradually, people no longer mention the bloody turmoil of the Four Saints from that year, and during tea breaks and meals, they have replaced them with a new common enemy.

Li Yan opened her eyes wide

Li Yan looked at Zhou Fei in confusion, then glanced at Liu Youliang—Zhangqiu City had already been placed under martial law, and this area must have been surrounded by the scouts of Beidou. With such a seriously injured person and a formidable enemy like Tong Kaiyang outside, even Zhou Fei would likely be powerless.

The shopkeeper, while leading the horse, secretly observed her and, seeing that she was not afraid despite holding a knife, cheerfully greeted her: "Heroine, your journey must be arduous. Do you have the Bat Token? Those who possess our Bat Token can enjoy a 30% discount on food and lodging."

Liu Youliang was in a coma for a while, and briefly awakened to the sound. He did not make a sound, but quietly leaned back in the distance, listening to the reading. His somewhat murky eyes were half-open, staring at the dim light of the sky, lost in thought.

In recent years, some individuals with cunning minds have sought to profit from the national crisis. Many bold people, familiar with certain underhanded methods, have engaged in itinerant trade, traveling from south to north, selling a wide array of goods, including food, cloth, weapons, and ironware. They even deal in contraband salt and medicinal herbs. As long as the journey is safe and uneventful, a round trip can yield exorbitant prices for some ordinary items, with profits high enough to tempt people into taking risks.

Zhou Fei recognized Tong Kaiyang normally, but it seemed that Tong Kaiyang was also quite familiar with her—Li Sheng's temple throbbed twice, and he knew that this notorious bandit, who had made such a sensational debut on her first trip down the mountain, could not possibly be as calm as she appeared

Tong Kaiyang slightly raised the corners of his mouth, looking at the seriously injured man on horseback with a sense of amusement

Liu Youliang moved with great difficulty, gasping like a broken bellows, and stuffed the rouge box into Zhou Fei's hands: "This place is perilous. Although the young lady is renowned for the Southern Blade Order, having me with you brings many inconveniences. So, do not... do not worry about me. Just take this item back to your father, and my wish will be fulfilled, even if I... die..."

The third time... Sigh, it is quite embarrassing to say, we have always felt uneasy over that trivial matter of opening a medicine shop, it is really beneath us. The third time was for a snake gall from a "rolling earth dragon". I fought with the giant python and a certain Lord Tong, who was even more formidable than the python, for two days and nights. In the end, through some cunning tricks, I managed to gain the upper hand, but I also caused Lord Tong to lose a fine sword in the belly of the snake, which has left me feeling quite guilty. Today, I specifically brought ten taels of silver to make amends." Zhou Fei extended a hand to Li Cheng, "Brother, give me the money." "Brother, give me the money."

Seeing Liu Youliang being cornered by the man in the red robe as if a cat were toying with a mouse, Li Yan instinctively reached for the knife she had tucked at her waist, thinking to herself: If A Fei were here, she would definitely not just stand by and watch.

The female guest in the corner was slightly taken aback upon hearing these words, her spoon hovering over the bowl, remaining still for quite some time

Li Sheng was taken aback; the martial arts of Wu Qu had already reached the level of condensing wind into a blade. No wonder he did not care about what weapons to use. He dared not confront directly any longer, and his footwork suddenly became intricate, as if he had transformed into a walking maze, making it impossible for anyone to catch his movements—this was the mayfly formation that Zhou Fei later taught him. Li Sheng indeed had a natural talent for these flashy techniques; after grasping the principles, he was able to draw parallels and quickly surpassed his predecessors.

Zhou Fei clasped the handle of the broken concealed knife with both hands, and as she pulled it apart, a sound of "crack" was heard. It seemed as if a large web of spider silk had formed on Lord Tong's treasured blade, with dull fragments cascading down.

The old scholar with a hoarse voice trembled and said: "Gentlemen, I have not seen it."

Tong Kaiyang's eyelids twitched a few times, and he squeezed out two words through his teeth: "It is you"